PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mason Rua (ranked 4418 p4p, 4387 weight class) and Hiruko Abarai (ranked 524 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Rua
vs
Abarai

198 cm
22
202
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
215
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Tends to cut

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mason Rua!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hiruko Abarai!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Chad Campbell and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Abarai tries to clinch but Rua is having none of it.
An attempted straight right counter from Rua misses the target.
Rua ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Abarai moves away.
Rua lands a two punch combo.

It looks like Hiruko Abarai has been cut.

Rua closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Rua working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Rua decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Abarai forces Rua back against the cage and clinches.
Abarai can't find room to land a body shot as Rua controls the action.
Rua takes an elbow to the temple.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Abarai doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Abarai can't find room to land a body shot as Rua controls the action.
Rua blocks a body shot from Abarai.
Abarai lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Rua wants to break the clinch but can't.
Abarai lands a damaging elbow.
Abarai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rua's elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abarai throws a head punch that misses.
Abarai keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rua's efforts to push away.
Abarai keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rua's efforts to push away.
Abarai misses with a punch to the body.
Abarai struggles to land a body shot inside as Rua controls his hands.
Abarai tries a body shot but Rua blocks it.
Abarai lands an elbow inside that Rua shrugs off.
Abarai tries a body shot but Rua blocks it.
Abarai misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rua wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Abarai has him pressed against the cage.
Abarai lands an elbow just above Rua 's eye.
Rua lands a hook that snaps the head of Abarai backwards.
Rua blocks a body shot from Abarai.
Abarai keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rua's efforts to push away.
Rua throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Abarai blocks it with crossed arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Abarai just misses with a elbow thrown towards Rua's brow.
With the fighters up against the cage, Abarai throws an elbow but misses.
Abarai misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Abarai struggles to land a body shot inside as Rua controls his hands.
Abarai pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Abarai misses with a hook to the ribs.
Abarai misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nice elbow from Abarai.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Abarai just misses with a elbow thrown towards Rua's brow.
Rua can't break the clinch.
Rua has had enough of the clinch but Abarai keeps him there for the moment.
Abarai managing to block the knees to the body from Rua.
Abarai tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rua wants to break free but Abarai has control.
Rua wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rua has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rua is trying to maintain a safe position but Abarai gets an underhook and turns Rua into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Abarai - that landed with a thud.
Abarai doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Abarai lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Rua breaks the clinch.
Abarai tries to clinch but Rua moves out of range.
Abarai displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Abarai fails with an attempt to clinch.

Abarai closes the distance and clinches.
Rua tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rua misses with the head strike.
Abarai goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Abarai struggles to land a body shot inside as Rua controls his hands.
Abarai lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Rua is trying to break the clinch but Abarai has him pressed against the cage.
Abarai throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Rua jumps guard and drags Abarai to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Abarai must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Rua pulls Abarai in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abarai trying to control but Rua is working from the bottom.
Rua has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Abarai trying to control but Rua is working from the bottom.
Abarai wants to get up but he can't break Rua's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Rua lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Hiruko Abarai dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hiruko Abarai's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Abarai avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Abarai has Rua up against the cage in a clinch.
Nice elbow from Abarai.
Abarai comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Rua is trying to break the clinch but Abarai has him pressed against the cage.
Abarai lands an elbow just above Rua 's eye.
Rua throws an elbow but it misses.
Abarai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rua's elbow.

Rua pulls guard effortlessly.
Abarai trying to control but Rua is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rua wants to stand but Abarai is controlling the position.
Abarai has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rua controlling Abarai's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abarai looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Abarai throws a big elbow that misses.
Abarai wants to stand but Rua is controlling his posture from full guard.
Rua wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Rua has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A swing and a miss from Rua.

Abarai has closed the distance and engaged Rua in a clinch.
Rua has had enough of the clinch but Abarai keeps him there for the moment.
Abarai lands a nice uppercut.
Rua wants a takedown but no success here.
Rua has had enough of the clinch but Abarai keeps him there for the moment.
Rua is trying to pull guard but Abarai turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Rua blocks an uppercut.
Abarai creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rua's defenses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Abarai.
Rua working hard to break the clinch.
Abarai stops a takedown attempt from Rua.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mason Rua. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rua has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Abarai uses from the top position.
Rua wants to stand up but Abarai is controlling him.
Abarai trying to control the position from guard on top but Rua is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Rua manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Abarai can't find room to land a body shot as Rua controls the action.
Abarai doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rua can't break the clinch.
Rua is trying to break the clinch but Abarai has him pressed against the cage.
Rua jumps guard but Abarai stands there with Rua around his waist. Rua gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Abarai lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Rua.
A short right from Abarai on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abarai blocks the elbow strike.
Abarai lands an elbow that stopped Rua in his tracks for a moment.
Abarai creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rua's defenses.
Abarai doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rua is trying to push Abarai away but Abarai has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Abarai lands an elbow inside.
Abarai misses with a punch to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Rua's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Abarai has Rua pressed against the cage, preventing Rua from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Rua prevents a body shot from Abarai.
Rua blocks a body shot from Abarai.
Abarai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rua takes an elbow to the temple.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rua can't break the clinch.
Abarai can't find room to land a body shot as Rua controls the action.
Abarai tries to work over Rua's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Abarai misses with a body punch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Hiruko Abarai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Hiruko Abarai's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Abarai fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rua, pushing him back against the cage.
Hiruko Abarai seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Rua tries to break the clinch but Abarai is controlling the position.
Abarai misses with a hook to the ribs.
Abarai goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Abarai tries to throw a body punch but Rua avoids it by throwing Abarai back against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Rua fails to land.
Rua working hard to break the clinch.
Abarai prevents a body shot from Rua.
Rua tries to break free but Abarai pushes him back against the cage.
Abarai tries to work over Rua's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Abarai throws an elbow that misses.
Rua can't break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abarai keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rua's efforts to push away.
Rua avoids the elbow strike from Abarai, against the cage.
Rua is trying to push Abarai away but Abarai has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Abarai tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Abarai misses with an elbow over the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abarai tries a body shot but Rua blocks it.
Abarai tries to throw a body punch but Rua avoids it by throwing Abarai back against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Abarai just misses with a elbow thrown towards Rua's brow.
Abarai works on Rua's body with a couple of short punches.
Rua tries to break free but Abarai pushes him back against the cage.
Rua tries for a takedown but Abarai manages to get underhooks.

Rua jumps into guard, dragging Abarai to the mat.
Abarai stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rua swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rua is trying to keep Abarai in close.
Abarai stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rua swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rua wants to stand and escape but Abarai is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abarai wants to control from the top but Rua keeps moving.

Rua looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rua is adopting a defensive guard.
Abarai is looking to stand up but Rua won't let him.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Abarai moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abarai lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Abarai tries to throw a body punch but Rua avoids it by throwing Abarai back against the cage.
Rua blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rua wants to break free but Abarai has control.
Rua has had enough of the clinch but Abarai keeps him there for the moment.
Abarai lands with a short shot to the head.
Abarai misses with a hook to the ribs.
Abarai struggles to land a body shot inside as Rua controls his hands.
Rua tries to circle away but Abarai has him pinned against the cage.
Abarai is pressed up against the cage. Rua has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Abarai down to the mat. Abarai avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Abarai clinches.
Abarai tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Mason Rua has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rua working hard to break the clinch.
Abarai throws a head punch that misses.
Abarai comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Rua jumps guard but Abarai turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mason Rua. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Abarai struggles to land a body shot inside as Rua controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Rua's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Rua wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rua is trying to break free.
Abarai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rua's elbow.
Abarai doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rua misses with the head strike.
A left hand lands to the body for Abarai.
Rua is trying to push Abarai away but Abarai has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Abarai tries a body shot but Rua blocks it.
Abarai has Rua pressed against the cage, preventing Rua from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Abarai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rua's elbow.
Abarai can't find room to land a body shot as Rua controls the action.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rua is trying to push Abarai away but Abarai has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Rua misses with a short punch on the inside.
Abarai can't find room to land a body shot as Rua controls the action.
Hiruko Abarai is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Abarai lands with a right to the head.
Abarai keeps control of Rua as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hiruko Abarai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Abarai winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hiruko Abarai!