PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tama Ruiha (ranked 1498 p4p, 1936 weight class) and Ben Askrew (ranked 211 p4p, 0 weight class). Ruiha comes to the cage accompanied by Polynesian Traditional Music. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Ruiha
vs
Askrew

180 cm
27
205
9 - 4 - 0

185 cm
26
215
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tama Ruiha!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ben Askrew!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Sandra Marshall and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ruiha feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Askrews jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Askrew slips a jab from Ruiha.
Tama Ruiha seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Askrew staying out of range there.
Askrew with the counter takedown but Ruiha avoids it easily.
Ruiha throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Askrew feints the counter takedown.
Ruiha lands with an overhand left.
Ruiha misses with a few strikes there.
Askrew with the counter takedown but Ruiha avoids it easily.
Ruiha looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Askrew with the counter takedown but Ruiha avoids it easily.
The fighters circling - Ruiha throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Askrew moves out of range as Ruiha strikes.
Ruiha misses with an uppercut

and Askrew counters with a single leg into guard. Ruiha didn't expect that.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Askrew drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Askrew jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Askrew drops back looking for a leg! Ruiha is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ruiha manages to kick Askrew off! Askrew jumps back into Ruiha's guard.
Askrew works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Askrew is looking for a kimura but Ruiha is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Askrew to get the leverage.

Askrew is looking for a kimura here.

Askrew seems to be working for a kimura but Ruiha defends the submission attempt.
My spies in Muay Thai and BJJ | Clinchwork inform me that Askrew has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

Askrew in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Ruiha tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Askrew!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Ben Askrew!
Ben Askrew made sure to give a little speech post fight, saying 'I am the only undefeated fighter at the this weight that makes 6 in a row, whats a man got to do to get a title shot'.