PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wanderlei Rua (ranked 845 p4p, 691 weight class) and Herleifr Conchobhar (ranked 45 p4p, 38 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Rua
vs
Conchobhar

198 cm
27
292
11 - 1 - 0

190 cm
31
265
22 - 13 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Threads
Urban Fighter

Brooklyn Threads
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Wanderlei Rua!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 13 - 1, fighting out of New York, Herleifr Conchobhar!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Paul Tew and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Conchobhar misses with a looping left.
Rua tries to clinch up.
Conchobhar has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Conchobhar throws a hook to the side of Rua's head but Rua sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Conchobhar steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rua.
Rua throws the kick towards the body but Conchobhar avoids it.
Rua scoring well with a low kick there.
Conchobhar ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Conchobhar throws a front kick that sends Rua stumbling back into the cage.
Conchobhar connects with a body shot that sends Rua's belly button to the back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rua looks to land a body kick but Conchobhar moved away.
Conchobhar throws a body shot but no joy.
As Conchobhar tries to get set, Rua tries to push him back and clinch up but Conchobhar manages to avoid the attempt.
Conchobhar misses with an uppercut. Rua saw that one coming.
Rua swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua throws a leg kick that is checked
and Conchobhar counters with a nice uppercut.

It looks like Wanderlei Rua has been cut.
Conchobhar throws a head kick that misses.
Conchobhar misses with a left hand
and Rua counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Herleifr Conchobhar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Conchobhar swings widly with a right hand
and Rua connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Conchobhar swings widly with a right hand
and Rua connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A jab from Conchobhar misses.
Rua ducks under a wild hook from Conchobhar.
Conchobhar is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
A jab from Rua does it's job there.
Conchobhar connects with a body shot that sends Rua's belly button to the back.
Conchobhar throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rua sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Conchobhar misses with a straight left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rua has Conchobhar up against the cage in a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rua blocks an uppercut.
Rua lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Rua lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rua.
Rua throws a head punch that misses.
Rua can't find room to land a body shot as Conchobhar controls the action.
Rua softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Rua lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Conchobhar blocking some punches.
Conchobhar blocks an uppercut.
Conchobhar throws a head punch that misses.

Conchobhar escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Rua moves into the clinch.
Rua swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rua misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Conchobhar takes a shot to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Rua fails to land.
Rua misses with the head strike.
Rua throws a punch but it's blocked by Conchobhar.
Conchobhar wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rua has him pressed against the cage.
Rua is leaning against Conchobhar and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Rua tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Conchobhar working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rua with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rua misses with a hook from the clinch.

Conchobhar manages to break the clinch.
Rua steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Conchobhar.
Conchobhar throws a leg kick
and Rua cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rua avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rua takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rua jabbing away but nothing is landing.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Conchobhar! But no joy.
Rua is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Rua thows a left - swing and a miss!
Conchobhar misses with a looping left.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Some bone on bone action there as Conchobhar checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Rua displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Conchobhar throws out the jab.
Rua steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Conchobhar.
Conchobhar closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Rua scores with a three punch combo!
Rua moves out of range as Conchobhar strikes.
Conchobhar throws an off balance right hand

and Rua counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Rua tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Wanderlei Rua dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Wanderlei Rua's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Conchobhar waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rua.
Rua uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Conchobhar.
Conchobhar throws a body shot but no joy.
Conchobhar uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rua.
Conchobhar scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Rua doesn't seem bothered though.
Conchobhar defending well as Rua loads up on a big left hand.
Rua is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Conchobhar can do to turn this around?
Rua moves out of range of the strikes.
Rua is looking to counter with a body kick.
Conchobhar misses with a straight right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Conchobhar misses with a looping right.
Nice shot lands for Rua.
Herleifr Conchobhar seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rua tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Conchobhar connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Conchobhar uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rua.
Conchobhar misses with a hook.

Rua moves into the clinch.
Conchobhar wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rua misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rua blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Conchobhar breaks from the clinch.
Rua uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Conchobhar.
Rua is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Conchobhar.
Conchobhar looks to land a right hand but Rua moved out of range.

Rua moves into range and clinches up with Conchobhar.
Rua has a couple of punches blocked by Conchobhar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Conchobhar's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Conchobhar wants to break free but Rua has control.

Conchobhar pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Conchobhar connects with a single shot there.
Conchobhar loads up on a big right hand but Rua slips the punch.
A swing and a miss from Conchobhar.
Conchobhar connects with an inside leg kick.
Rua uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Conchobhar has time to react.
Conchobhar misses with a looping right.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rua uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Conchobhar.
A slow jab from Rua misses its intended target.
Conchobhar misses with a body punch
and Conchobhar takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Conchobhar throws a body punch but Rua moves out of range.
Conchobhar throws an overhand right that lands on Rua's shoulder, as Rua tries to avoid the shot.
Rua throws a body punch but Conchobhar moves out of range.
Conchobhar raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Rua misses the target.
Conchobhar swings for the body but Rua moves out of range.
Conchobhar misses with a right hand
letting Rua counter with a right hand.
Rua needs to keep his hands up - Conchobhar had a free shot at his head there.
Conchobhar fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Rua dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rua has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Conchobhar defending well as Rua loads up on a big left hand.
Conchobhar appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Conchobhar misses with a straight right.
It looked like Rua wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rua moves out of range as Conchobhar strikes.
Rua is looking to counter punch.
Rua throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Conchobhar misses with a hook. Rua ducked under it nicely.
Rua tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Conchobhar manages to circle out of the way.
Conchobhar scores with a hook.

Wanderlei Rua's cut is getting worse.
Rua blocks a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Conchobhar uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rua.
Conchobhar takes a swing at Rua's ribcage but misses.
As Conchobhar backs away, Rua returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Conchobhar checks a leg kick.
Rua tries to score with a low kick but Conchobhar moves his leg out of the way.
Conchobhar getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Rua defending well as Conchobhar loads up on a big left hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Herleifr Conchobhar showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Wanderlei Rua's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Conchobhar throws a hook but Rua blocks it.
Rua misses with a low kick.
A good leg kick by Rua.
Conchobhar scores with a punch to the head.
Conchobhar bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rua's head backwards.
Conchobhar rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Rua counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rua tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Conchobhar manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Conchobhar keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rua.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rua throws a hook but Conchobhar avoids it easily.
Conchobhar steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rua.
Conchobhar doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Conchobhar rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Rua counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Conchobhar thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rua tried to counter with a leg kick but Conchobhar avoided it.
Rua waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Conchobhar.
Rua lands a nice shot that snaps Conchobhar's head back.
Conchobhar lands with an overhand left.
Rua walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Wanderlei Rua's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rua. That's going to slow Conchobhar down.
Rua displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Conchobhar throws out the jab.
Rua lands with a kick to the temple. Conchobhar shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Conchobhar throws a lazy uppercut
and Rua counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rua keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua takes a body punch but keeps moving.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Conchobhar slips under a jab from Rua.
Rua bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Conchobhar throws a body shot but no joy.
Conchobhar misses with an uppercut.
Rua throwing a counter right hand but Conchobhar manages to avoid it.
Good standup being displayed there by Rua as he connects with a hook.
Conchobhar clobbers Rua with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Conchobhar misses with a hook.

Rua waves his right hand out in front of him, looking to distract Conchobhar. Oh, he's unloaded a beast of a left hand - it worked! He's dropped Conchobhar to the canvas! Can he finish him!?

Conchobhar is rocked!
Rua throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua trying to control the position from guard on top but Conchobhar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rua missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Conchobhar is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Rua is controlling him.
Rua sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Conchobhar's guard.
Rua sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Conchobhar defending well though.
Rua wants to free his trapped foot but Conchobhar is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Conchobhar is trying to stand.

That's four 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 throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rua wants to lay and pray for a moment but Conchobhar keeps working.
Conchobhar tries to kick Rua off but Rua keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Conchobhar blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rua.
Rua tries to pass the half guard into mount. Conchobhar knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Rua not doing much here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Rua ducks under a wild hook from Conchobhar.
Rua tries to clinch up
letting Conchobhar counter with a right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wanderlei Rua showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rua has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wanderlei Rua!
Our winner, Wanderlei Rua, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.