PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between John Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luigi Don Rurka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Luigi Don Rurka acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Smith
vs
Don Rurka

180 cm
25
147 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Luigi Don Rurka!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Roosa Järviläinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith defending well as Don Rurka loads up on a big left hand.
Don Rurka throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Smith on the side of the head.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Don Rurka wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Don Rurka is trying to break free.
Smith really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Smith displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Don Rurka throws out the jab.
A slow jab from Don Rurka misses its intended target.
Don Rurka scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Don Rurka misses with an uppercut.
A head kick misses from Smith.
Don Rurka throws the left hand but Smith avoids the punch easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Don Rurka fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Smith on the side of the head.
Smith fails with the takedown.
Don Rurka swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Don Rurka throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Don Rurka with the counter takedown but Smith avoids it easily.
Luigi Don Rurka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice takedown defense from Don Rurka. No joy for Smith on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Don Rurka misses with a straight right.
A big left from Don Rurka misses.
Smith tries to counter with a takedown but Don Rurka is quick to defend against it.
Smith tries to clinch but Don Rurka moves out of range.
Don Rurka misses with a hook. Smith ducked under it nicely.
Smith shoots in but Don Rurka avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Don Rurka swats away the attempt to clinch by Smith.
Don Rurka lands a nice shot that snaps Smith's head back.
Don Rurka waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Smith.
Don Rurka throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Don Rurka throws a jab but it's blocked by Smith.
Smith moves away from the strike by Don Rurka.
Don Rurka keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Smith tries to clinch up but Don Rurka circles away and keeps his distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws out a loose jab but Don Rurka uses good head movement to avoid it.
Don Rurka lands with a hook. Smith tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A big left from Don Rurka misses.
Don Rurka misses with a lunging right hand

and Smith counters by moving into the clinch.
Don Rurka is trying to push Smith away but Smith has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Smith wants to stall.
Smith lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Don Rurka backwards.
Smith scores with a nice hook to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Don Rurka wants to get back to striking at distance but Smith won't allow it.
Smith fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Don Rurka escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Don Rurka throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Smith scores with a hook to the body. Don Rurka takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Don Rurka throws a shot from downtown. Smith moves away and avoids it.
Smith takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Smith is defended easily by Don Rurka.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith defending well as Don Rurka loads up on a big left hand.
Smith tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Smith avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Don Rurka stuffs the takedown.
Don Rurka misses with a looping left.
Don Rurka looks to land a right hand but Smith moved out of range.
Smith appears to be looking for a big counter.
Smith shoots in for a double leg but Don Rurka sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Smith avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Don Rurka jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Smith ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Smith is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Don Rurka.
Don Rurka tests Smith's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Smith slips a jab from Don Rurka.
Don Rurka loads up on a big right hand but Smith slips the punch.
Smith is looking to counter punch.
Don Rurka is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Smith.
Smith attempts a counter takedown but Don Rurka avoids it well and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Don Rurka throws a jab when Smith was well out of range.
The fighters circling - Don Rurka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Smith takes a jab right on the kisser.
Smith tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Don Rurka swivels and escapes.
Don Rurka with a hook.
Don Rurka misses with an uppercut. Smith saw that one coming.
Don Rurka misses with a looping left.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Don Rurka avoids the head kick by Smith.
Don Rurka moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Smith is looking to clinch.
Smith fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A swing and a miss from Don Rurka.
Don Rurka misses with a hook.
Smith closes the distance and clinches up with Don Rurka, looking for a takedown. Smith pushes Don Rurka against the cage but Don Rurka circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Don Rurka throws a looping overhand right but Smith ducks down to avoid it.
Smith connects with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luigi Don Rurka dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Smith walks into a left hand.
Don Rurka has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Don Rurka thows a left - swing and a miss!
Don Rurka throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Smith sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Smith lands with an uppercut that bounces Don Rurka off the cage and back into range.
Don Rurka misses with a straight right.
Smith is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Don Rurka lands a lovely overhand right.
Don Rurka throws a big shot that misses.
Don Rurka throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nice sprawl there from Don Rurka as Smith shoots in.
Don Rurka misses with an uppercut.
John Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smith gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Don Rurka.
Nice sprawl there from Don Rurka as Smith shoots in.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith slips under a jab.
Smith swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Smith is defended easily by Don Rurka.
Don Rurka throws out a counter right but Smith avoids it with no problem.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Don Rurka lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Don Rurka throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Smith sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Smith moves into the clinch successfully.
Don Rurka managing to block the knees to the body from Smith.
A nice right hand lands inside from Smith.
Smith stalling in the clinch but Don Rurka improves position.

Smith's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Smith fails in his attempt to clinch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Don Rurka! But no joy.
Smith fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Don Rurka manages to avoid it.
Don Rurka slaps away a takedown attempt from Smith, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Don Rurka throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Don Rurka scores with a sloppy right hand. Smith should have avoided that one.
Smith attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
The fighters circling - Don Rurka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Don Rurka pinned against the cage. Don Rurka gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Smith throws a hook to the side of Don Rurka's head but Don Rurka sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Smith closes the distance and clinches.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Don Rurka as Smith tries to tie him up.
Smith is trying to pull guard but Don Rurka has him pressed against the cage.
Don Rurka wants to break free but Smith has control.
Don Rurka is trying to push Smith away but Smith has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Don Rurka prevents a takedown attempt there.
Smith is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Smith fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Don Rurka escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Smith moves out of range of the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Don Rurka pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nice takedown defense from Don Rurka. No joy for Smith on that attempt.
Don Rurka swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice uppercut lands for Don Rurka. That snapped Smith's head back.
Smith tries for a takedown but Don Rurka sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Don Rurka might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Smith gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Nice defenses there by Smith.
Nice defenses there by Smith.
Smith looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Don Rurka! But no joy.
Don Rurka cracks Smith with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Luigi Don Rurka is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A big left from Don Rurka misses.
A big right from Don Rurka misses.
Don Rurka pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Don Rurka loads up on a big right hand but Smith slips the punch.
Don Rurka swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Don Rurka back to the cage. Smith follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Don Rurka throws a hook to the side of Smith's head but Smith sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Smith shoots in and drives through. Don Rurka sprawls well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Smith drops his hands momentarily and Don Rurka takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Smith wants to clinch up but Don Rurka keeps it at a distance.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Don Rurka sprawls well. Don Rurka wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Smith gets slowly back to his feet.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Don Rurka paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Don Rurka misses with a looping right.
Smith uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Don Rurka.
A slow jab from Don Rurka misses its intended target.
Don Rurka throws out a loose jab but Smith uses good head movement to avoid it.
A decent looking cross lands there for Don Rurka.
Don Rurka looks to land a right hand but Smith moved out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luigi Don Rurka showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Don Rurka is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Smith defending well as Don Rurka loads up on a big left hand.
Don Rurka throws an off balance right hand
and Smith counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Luigi Don Rurka seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A combination from Smith does no damage.
Don Rurka throws a jab but it's blocked by Smith.
Smith is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A big right from Don Rurka misses.
Smith displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Don Rurka throws out the jab.
Smith darts in looking for a takedown but Don Rurka gets double underhooks and turns Smith into the cage.
Smith looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Don Rurka getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith shoots in looking for a takedown but Don Rurka manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Smith's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Don Rurka throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Smith ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Smith. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Don Rurka throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Don Rurka slips a jab and a cross from Smith.
Don Rurka bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Smith's head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith moves out of range of the strikes.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Smith.
Don Rurka tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Don Rurka throws a good cross that connects.
Don Rurka getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Don Rurka loads up on a big right hand but Smith slips the punch.
A big right from Don Rurka misses.
Don Rurka swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Don Rurka throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Smith swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Smith fails with the takedown.
Don Rurka throws a hook but Smith blocks it.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but Don Rurka shows good takedown defense.
Smith throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Don Rurka sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Don Rurka scores with a jab. Smith acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Don Rurka lands with a hook. Smith tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Don Rurka misses with a hook. Smith ducked under it nicely.
Don Rurka scores with a jab. Smith acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A big left from Don Rurka misses.

Don Rurka tries to keep at a distance but Smith has taken the fight into the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Don Rurka escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Smith dives in and grabs Don Rurka's left leg, looking for a takedown. Don Rurka pushes down on Smith's head and hops out.
Don Rurka misses with a hook.
Don Rurka throws a hook but Smith blocks it.
Smith drops down looking for a counter takedown but Don Rurka sprawls and moves away.
Don Rurka is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Smith.
Smith staying out of range there.
Don Rurka throws an overhand right that lands on Smith's shoulder, as Smith tries to avoid the shot.

Smith drives through and clinches with Don Rurka against the cage.
Don Rurka wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Don Rurka can't break the clinch.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Smith tries for a takedown but Don Rurka sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Don Rurka swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Smith tries to clinch there but Don Rurka circles away.
Don Rurka misses with an uppercut.
Smith throwing a counter right hand but Don Rurka manages to avoid it.
Don Rurka scores with a decent looking hook.
Smith fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Smith bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Smith appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Smith.
Smith is looking to chop away at Don Rurka's legs.
Don Rurka missing with a left hand there. Smith was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Don Rurka looks to throw the jab but Smith is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Don Rurka gets caught flat footed, as Smith shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Don Rurka has his hands on Smith's head, controlling the position.
Don Rurka utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Smith knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Don Rurka on the ground.
Don Rurka will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Don Rurka seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Don Rurka has a closed guard, preventing Smith from standing up.
John Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Luigi Don Rurka is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Don Rurka is pulling down on Smith's head to control his posture.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luigi Don Rurka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Don Rurka 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luigi Don Rurka!