PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sergei Simenkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gabriel Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Simenkov
vs
Rua

165 cm
44
169 lbs
27 - 20 - 1

180 cm
37
168 lbs
25 - 27 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 20 - 1, fighting out of New York, Sergei Simenkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 27 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Gabriel Rua!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Elvis Blanc and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rua throws a nice head kick!
Simenkov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rua.
Gabriel Rua seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A clash of legs there as Simenkov blocks the low kick.
Rua throws a head kick that half lands.
Simenkov throws a head kick but Rua moves out of range.
Rua lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

Simenkov clinches with his opponent.
Simenkov letting Rua take a breather here.
A short body shot lands from Rua as the two fighters clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Rua throws an elbow but misses.
Simenkov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rua is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rua.
Simenkov tries for a takedown but Rua manages to get underhooks.
Simenkov is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergei Simenkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rua scores with a nice hook to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A short right from Simenkov on the inside.
Simenkov looking for a takedown.
Rua content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Nice elbow from Rua.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simenkov is looking for a takedown.
Rua doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Simenkov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rua is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Simenkov is looking to break free of the clinch but Rua has double underhooks.
Simenkov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rua avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Simenkov being controlled against the cage.
Rua digs a right hand into Simenkov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Simenkov's gas tank.
Rua digs a right hand into Simenkov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Simenkov's gas tank.
Simenkov wants to take the fight to the mat but Rua manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Simenkov has Rua pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rua manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Come on Rua - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rua.
Simenkov wants a takedown but no success here.
Rua lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Simenkov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Rua is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua is stalling here.
Rua just leaning against Simenkov, taking a breather.
Rua lands a nice elbow.
Rua lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Rua throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Simenkovs head.
Simenkov wants a takedown.
Rua is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Rua trying to stall but Simenkov improves his position.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rua.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rua misses with a punch to the body.
Simenkov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rua pulls his leg out and moves away.
Rua lands a jab to the nose.
Jab by Rua.

Rua clinches up with Simenkov and pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Simenkov.
Rua goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Simenkov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Simenkov blocks an elbow strike.
Simenkov working hard to break the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Rua tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Simenkov's elbow.
Simenkov tries for a takedown but Rua manages to get underhooks.
Simenkov tries to break free but Rua pushes him back against the cage.
Rua prevents a takedown attempt there.
Simenkov looking for a takedown.
Rua gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Simenkov.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rua displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Simenkov throws out the jab.
Rua with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Rua connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Rua buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Rua lands a nice leg kick that just misses Simenkov's sensitive parts.
Simenkov avoids a kick to the body.
Simenkov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Rua connects with a good right hand that stumbles Simenkov. Simenkov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Rua stuffs the takedown.
Simenkov walks forward, straight into a front kick from Rua.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Simenkov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Rua manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Simenkov throws a big right hand that misses.
Rua keeping moving, preventing Simenkov from controlling successfully.
Rua looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gabriel Rua dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Rua fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Simenkov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Rua.
Rua connects with a leg kick. Simenkov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

Simenkov forces Rua back against the cage and clinches.
Simenkov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Rua after a bit of a struggle.
Gabriel Rua seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Rua lands with a short shot to the head.
Simenkov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rua is trying to maintain a safe position but Simenkov gets an underhook and turns Rua into the cage.
Rua misses with a body punch.
Simenkov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rua leaning against his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simenkov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rua avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergei Simenkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Simenkov goes for a takedown attempt but Rua pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Simenkov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rua swivels and escapes.
Simenkov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Simenkov connects with a solid leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simenkov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rua's waist but Rua gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Simenkov off to one side.
Nice body kick there by Rua.
Rua scores with a leg kick.
Rua throws a nice looking combination but Simenkov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Simenkov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Rua is trying to defend but Simenkov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Rua controlling the position well.
Simenkov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Simenkov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Simenkov throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Rua to regain full guard.
Simenkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Rua is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rua escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Simenkov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Simenkov wants to pass the guard but Rua is keeping the position.
Rua trying to control the position.
Simenkov being controlled here momentarily.
Rua utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Simenkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Rua is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Simenkov manages to get himself to full guard.

Rua wants to control from the top but Simenkov keeps moving.
Rua is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Rua sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Simenkov's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Simenkov is looking for a sweep. Rua is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Simenkov is pressing down on Rua's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Simenkov looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rua stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Simenkov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rua trying to control the position from guard on top but Simenkov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Simenkov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Simenkov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rua manages to get himself to full guard.

Rua working for a triangle but Simenkov defends it easily.

Simenkov throws a sloppy strike and Rua has hooked up an armbar on the loose arm! He's turned and extended fully! Simenkov is forced to tap! Great BJJ from Rua!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Gabriel Rua!
A pretty intense looking Gabriel Rua took the opportunity post-fight to ask for a shot at the title.