PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mark Cartwright (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mauricio Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cartwright comes to the cage accompanied by Resurrected for Massive Torture. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Cartwright
vs
Rua

185 cm
18
204 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
18
212 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

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 Rio de Janeiro, Mark Cartwright!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mauricio Rua!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Emerson Jorge and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cartwright connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Cartwright uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rua.
Rua moves in looking to clinch but Cartwright pushes him off.
Rua fails in his attempt to clinch.
Cartwright shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mauricio Rua seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rua fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rua tries to close the distance and clinch but Cartwright swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rua is looking to clinch.
Rua tries to clinch up but Cartwright circles away and keeps his distance.
Rua misses with a hook.
Rua ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cartwright moves away.
Cartwright avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rua tries to clinch but Cartwright is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rua moves into the clinch successfully.
Cartwright avoiding damage as Rua throws knees to the body.
Rua tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rua looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Rua throws a knee to the head but misses.
Rua lands a damaging elbow.
Rua unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Cartwright is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua scores a nice knee to the body.
Rua with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Rua has the Thai plumb, controlling the head nicely. He loads up with a big knee to the head and Cartwright goes down! Rua pounces into side control - this one could be over soon!

Cartwright is rocked!

It looks like Mark Cartwright has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Rua decides to stand up, so the ref orders Cartwright to his feet.
Cartwright ducks under a wild hook from Rua.
Rua tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cartwright swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rua wants to clinch.
Rua is looking to clinch.
Rua tries to clinch but Cartwright moves out of range.
Rua tries to clinch up.
Rua doesn't manage to clinch there - Cartwright circles away.
Rua throws a head kick but Cartwright moves out of range.
Mauricio Rua is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua moves in looking to clinch but Cartwright pushes him off.
Rua throws a shot from downtown. Cartwright moves away and avoids it.
Rua is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rua fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cartwright blocks a head kick by Rua.
Rua fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cartwright avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rua avoids the head kick by Cartwright.
Cartwright swats away the attempt to clinch by Rua.
Cartwright shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rua as he jumps to the side.
Rua throws a hook but Cartwright blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A big left from Rua misses.
Rua tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rua fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rua throws a lazy head kick
and Rua takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rua tries to clinch but Cartwright moves out of range.
Rua is looking to clinch but Cartwright is avoiding it.
Cartwright tries to clinch but Rua moves out of range.
Rua tries to clinch but Cartwright moves away

and Cartwright counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Cartwright wanted to stand there but Rua had control of the position.
Cartwright prevents Rua from getting back to his feet.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Cartwright gets to his feet. Rua looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cartwright circles away from the clinch attempt
and Cartwright counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Rua misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Cartwright counters by moving into the clinch.
Rua lands an elbow inside that Cartwright shrugs off.
Rua throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Rua just misses with a elbow thrown towards Cartwright's brow.
Cartwright working hard to break the clinch.
Rua trying to land knees to the body.
Cartwright tries to break free but Rua pushes him back against the cage.
Rua using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Rua tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Cartwright can't break the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rua with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Cartwright looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Cartwright tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rua smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Cartwright. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rua tries to clinch there but Cartwright circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mauricio Rua dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mark Cartwright'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.

Cartwright shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rua sprawls well. Rua wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cartwright gets slowly back to his feet.
Rua tries to clinch
and Cartwright counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Cartwright throws a good cross that connects.
A swing and a miss from Rua.
A head kick by Rua misses
and Cartwright connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Cartwright uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rua.
Cartwright shoots in for a double leg but Rua sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Rua fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rua doesn't manage to clinch there - Cartwright circles away.
A head kick misses from Rua.
Rua is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cartwright changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rua tries to avoid it but Cartwright manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rua to the ground. Rua escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Cartwright. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rua looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rua throws a lazy head kick
and Cartwright counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Rua throws a head kick that misses
and Rua takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua tries to clinch

and Cartwright counters with a nice double leg into side control. Rua won't be happy with that.

Rua bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Cartwright shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rua as he jumps to the side.
Rua clinches but Cartwright breaks the clinch

and Cartwright counters by moving into the clinch.
Rua misses with a knee to the head.
Rua missing with knees to the body.
Cartwright jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Rua walks away with a smile on his face. Cartwright gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Rua keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rua tries to clinch but Cartwright moves away
and Cartwright counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Rua darts in trying to clinch
and Cartwright counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Rua closes the distance looking to clinch
and Cartwright counters with a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rua gets a clinch.
Cartwright wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rua has him pressed against the cage.
Rua is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cartwright is defending well for now.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Rua misses with an elbow strike.
Rua missing with knees to the body.
Cartwright is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Rua just misses with a elbow thrown towards Cartwright's brow.
Cartwright blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rua keeps control of Cartwright as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Cartwright fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Rua tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Cartwright has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rua throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Rua misses with an elbow strike.
Rua tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cartwright wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rua tries to land knees in the clinch but Cartwright avoids the damage to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Rua just misses with a elbow thrown towards Cartwright's brow.
Cartwright fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Cartwright tries to break the clinch but Rua is controlling the position.
Cartwright wants to get back to striking at distance but Rua won't allow it.
Cartwright wants to get back to striking at distance but Rua won't allow it.
Cartwright blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Cartwright on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rua stops a takedown attempt from Cartwright.
Rua tries a knee to the head but Cartwright blocks it.
Cartwright wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rua misses with an elbow over the top.
Cartwright managing to block the knees to the body from Rua.
Rua creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Cartwright is trying to force a seperation but Rua has the dominant position.
Cartwright wants to get back to striking at distance but Rua won't allow it.
Cartwright is trying to break the clinch but Rua has him pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Rua using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cartwright has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rua comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Rua misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cartwright.
Cartwright managing to block the knees to the body from Rua.
Rua tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Cartwright misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rua.
Cartwright is looking to break free of the clinch but Rua has double underhooks.
Rua throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cartwright blocks it with crossed arms.
Cartwright changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rua fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Cartwright tries to keep at a distance but Rua has taken the fight into the clinch.
Cartwright missing with knees to the body.
Rua tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cartwright avoids it.
Rua creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Cartwright tries to circle away but Rua has him pinned against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Mark Cartwright will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mark Cartwright's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Cartwright shoots in and drives through. Rua sprawls well.
Rua falls off balance throwing a combination
and Cartwright cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rua tries to clinch but Cartwright moves out of range.
Rua throws a leg kick

and Cartwright counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Rua wants to get back to his feet.
Cartwright perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cartwright stops Rua from getting back to his feet.
Cartwright trying to control the action but Rua is working from the bottom.
Cartwright tries to stand and escape but Rua is controlling the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua is looking to escape.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rua takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Rua ducks right into an uppercut from Cartwright.
Rua fails with an attempt to clinch.
A head kick by Rua misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Nice takedown defense from Rua. No joy for Cartwright on that attempt.
Rua tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Cartwright counters with a big head kick but Rua shrugs it off.
Rua wants to clinch but Cartwright slips to the side
and Cartwright makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Cartwright shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rua but Rua pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Cartwright. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cartwright ducks under a wild hook from Rua.
Rua defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cartwright.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Cartwright circles away from the clinch attempt
and Cartwright counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Rua moves in looking to clinch but Cartwright pushes him off.
Rua is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rua doesn't manage to clinch there - Cartwright circles away.
Rua takes a kick to the side of the head.
Cartwright shoots in for a takedown but Rua shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Rua darts in and clinches Cartwright up against the cage.
Rua creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Cartwright's defenses.
Cartwright takes an elbow to the forehead.
Rua lands an elbow that stopped Cartwright in his tracks for a moment.
Rua scores with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cartwright on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rua with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Rua tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Cartwright has had enough of the clinch but Rua keeps him there for the moment.
Rua misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cartwright.
Rua misses with an elbow over the top.
Rua has Cartwright pressed against the cage, preventing Cartwright from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Rua tries a knee to the head but Cartwright blocks it.
Rua tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rua lands an elbow just above Cartwright 's eye.

Cartwright jumps guard and drags Rua to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Cartwright is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Rua stands up from Cartwright's guard - Rua perhaps looking for a knockout.
Rua doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
A big right from Rua misses.
Rua tries to clinch up but Cartwright circles away and keeps his distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rua looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Cartwright scores with a head kick.
Rua tries to clinch up
and Cartwright counters with a head kick.
Rua tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Cartwright counters with a left and a right that stings Rua.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Cartwright showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Cartwright 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 29:28
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 29:28
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Cartwright!