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Stepping Stone 59 PBP Commentary |
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the super heavyweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of New York, with a TWGC record of 12 wins and 2 losses; Wanderlei Rua! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 9 wins and 6 losses; LLoyd Christmas!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Alan Glass and Gwen Towbar.
The fighters bow as they face eachother in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Christmas fails with a takedown attempt.
Horrible takedown attempt by Christmas or perhaps it was just good defense by Rua, which made it look bad.
Rua tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Christmas manages to circle out of the way.
Christmas tries to keep at a distance but Rua has taken the fight into the clinch.
Christmas gets underhooks to prevent Rua's takedown attempt.
Rua is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rua has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Christmas regains guard immediately. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Rua (2) vs (0) Christmas
Rua will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Christmas trying to keep a closed guard but Rua is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rua stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Christmas swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Christmas not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Christmas looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rua is one step ahead there.
Christmas escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rua gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Rua sitting in guard here, content to control.
Rua's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Christmas trying to control the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua passes Christmas's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Christmas tries to get to full guard but Rua has control of the leg.
Christmas wants to control but Rua is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Rua trying to pass the guard but Christmas defending well.
Christmas is looking to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rua controlling the pace.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Christmas manages to get to full guard.
Rua slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Rua stopping the sweep attempt from Christmas.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Christmas being controlled here, momentarily.
Christmas wants to sweep but no luck.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Christmas not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rua controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Christmas is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Christmas has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Rua has passed into side control.
Score +3 for passing guard: Rua (5) vs (0) Christmas
Christmas tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Christmas looks to move to half guard but instead Rua has passed into mount! Damn! Score +2 for reaching mount: Rua (7) vs (0) Christmas
Christmas really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Rua controlling from the full mount.
Christmas tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rua moves to take his opponent's back. Score +3 for taking back: Rua (10) vs (0) Christmas
Christmas tries to escape but Rua has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Christmas rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Christmas wants to control but Rua is keeping busy.
Christmas is looking for a sweep. Rua is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Rua content to control rather than advance.
Christmas looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rua is controlling the pace.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Christmas looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Rua prevents Christmas from improving his position.
Well, if Rua is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Christmas trying to hold on to Rua's head to control him but Rua postures up.
Rua is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Christmas wants to get back to full guard but Rua has mounted him! Score +3 for passing guard: Rua (13) vs (0) Christmas
Rua wants to take his opponent's back but Christmas doesn't allow it.
Rua controlling the pace for now.
Christmas sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Christmas has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rua is working away from the top position though.
Rua with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Christmas is trying to maintain the position but Rua is very close to passing his half guard.
Christmas tries to get to full guard but Rua has control of the leg.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Rua is looking to advance position but Christmas won't allow it.
Rua is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Rua works his way into full mount! Score +3 for passing guard: Rua (16) vs (0) Christmas
Rua sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Rua manages to capitalize on a mistake by Christmas to take his back! Score +3 for taking back: Rua (19) vs (0) Christmas
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Christmas can't escape the position.
What can Christmas do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Rua gets his hands free as Christmas looks to control.
Rua is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Christmas rolls, trying to escape but Rua keeps control of the position.
Christmas keeps trying to improve his position.
What can Christmas do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Rua is hanging on to Christmas's back as he tries to escape.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Rua controlling the positon.
Christmas trying to control but not successfully.
Christmas can't escape the position.
Rua doesn't have the hooks in and Christmas manages to turn into his guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Rua (19) vs (2) Christmas
Christmas won't allow Rua to sweep him here.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Christmas pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rua is keeping the position for now.
Rua is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Rua tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Christmas wants to control from the top but Rua keeps moving.
Rua is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Christmas looking to pass the guard.
Christmas wants to control from the top but Rua keeps moving.
And that's the end of the fight!
Rua takes the fight on points by 19 to 2.
During a confident post fight interview, Wanderlei Rua thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him. |
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