PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mike Rutherford (ranked 2433 p4p, 246 weight class) and Tiago Folio (ranked 7857 p4p, 551 weight class). Rutherford comes into the arena with Genesis - Deep in the Motherlode blaring out of the sound system. Tiago Folio acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Rutherford
vs
Folio

173 cm
26
163 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

175 cm
21
159 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Good kicks
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mike Rutherford!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tiago Folio!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Peter Branson and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Folio misses.
Rutherford takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

Rutherford rushes Folio and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Folio on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rutherford landing knees to the body.
Folio is trying to break free.
Rutherford misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Folio.
Rutherford scores with a knee to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Folio on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Folio avoiding damage as Rutherford throws knees to the body.
Rutherford doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rutherford misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rutherford working Folio over with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Folio managing to block the knees to the body from Rutherford.
Rutherford lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Rutherford tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Folio avoids it.
Rutherford is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Folio is defending well for now.
Rutherford landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Folio blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rutherford softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Rutherford misses with a punch on the inside.
Rutherford tries to land knees in the clinch but Folio avoids the damage to the body.
Rutherford utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Rutherford misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rutherford misses with a punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rutherford breaks from the clinch.
Folio looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Rutherford connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Rutherford avoids the head kick by Folio.
Rutherford was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Rutherford dodges the punch combination from Folio.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Folio misses with an uppercut
and Rutherford counters with a nice low kick that buckles Folio's knee momentarily.
Rutherford lets loose with a powerful body kick. Folio will feel that in the morning.
Folio looks winded!
Rutherford throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rutherford tries to land a front kick but Folio steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Rutherford throws a wild body kick that Folio sees coming a mile off.
Rutherford throws a half hearted mid kick.
Rutherford throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Folio's head.
Rutherford looks to land a body kick but Folio moved away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Folio! But no joy.
Rutherford keeps the fight on the outside.
Rutherford moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Rutherford pushes Folio away with a front kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rutherford throws a head kick but Folio moves out of range.
Folio unleashes a big counter combination but Rutherford bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Rutherford misses with a series of wild punches.

Rutherford feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Folio sprawling to the canvas! Folio rolls over backwards and springs off the cage and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can Rutherford finish him?!

Folio is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rutherford lets loose with a powerful body kick. Folio will feel that in the morning.
Folio is still on wobbly legs! Can Rutherford finish him?
Rutherford lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Folio circles to his right, straight into a beautiful hook by Rutherford. Folio falls face first into the canvas - great knockout victory for Rutherford!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:51 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Mike Rutherford!
Mike Rutherford seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.