PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gabriel Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergei Simenkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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
Simenkov

180 cm
37
168 lbs
26 - 28 - 0

165 cm
44
169 lbs
27 - 22 - 1

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

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 26 - 28 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Gabriel Rua!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 22 - 1, fighting out of New York, Sergei Simenkov!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Dillan Fox and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simenkov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Simenkov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Simenkov clinches with his opponent.
Rua tries to work over Simenkov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Simenkov is working for takedown but Rua is calmly controlling the position for now.
Rua misses with an elbow strike.
Simenkov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rua prevents it.

Simenkov manages to break the clinch.
Rua lands a lovely overhand right.
Horrible takedown attempt by Simenkov or perhaps it was just good defense by Rua, which made it look bad.
Gabriel Rua has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergei Simenkov.
Simenkov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rua half committed to a counter leg kick.
That kick from Rua tenderised Simenkov's leg. Simenkov is trying to keep his angry face on.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simenkov closes the distance and clinches up with Rua, looking for a takedown. Simenkov pushes Rua against the cage but Rua circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Simenkov dives in and grabs Rua's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rua pushes down on Simenkov's head and hops out.
A little feinted left hand from Rua on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Simenkov misses with a looping left.
Rua looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Rua scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Rua feints and then cracks Simenkov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Simenkov down.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rua uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Simenkov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua connects with an inside leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Rua.
Simenkov has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Rua.
Rua shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

Rua has taken the fight to the clinch.
Rua is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Simenkov takes a shot to the head.
Simenkov takes an elbow to the forehead.
Rua lands a nice elbow.
Simenkov looking to slow down the pace here.
Rua blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A bit of stalling here from Rua.
Simenkov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Simenkov takes an elbow to the temple.
Rua leaning against his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Simenkov is keeping busy.
Simenkov swings wildly with an uppercut but Rua uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rua creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Simenkov tries for a takedown. No joy.
Rua works on Simenkov's body with a couple of short punches.
Rua gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Rua stops a takedown attempt from Simenkov.
Rua avoiding damage.
Simenkov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Rua as Simenkov tries to tie him up.
Simenkov tries for a takedown but Rua manages to get underhooks.
Simenkov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Rua after a bit of a struggle.

Simenkov gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Rua regains guard.
Rua preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua is adopting a defensive guard.
Rua wants to sweep here but Simenkov controlling him for the moment.
Simenkov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Simenkov being controlled here momentarily.
Simenkov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rua swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rua is trying to keep Simenkov in close.
Rua wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Simenkov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Simenkov throws a strike but Rua rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Rua throws a big right hand that misses.
Simenkov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Simenkov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Simenkov advances to half guard.
Rua is staying active underneath Simenkov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Rua manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Simenkov working some strikes from top position.
Simenkov chips away with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gabriel Rua dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Rua avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sergei Simenkov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rua throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Rua fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Simenkov dives in and scores a takedown into Rua's guard.
Simenkov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rua swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Simenkov content to sit in guard, stalling... Great. Oh but he could get punished here because Rua has locked up a guillotine! Rua's face is contorted as he sqeezes tight on the submission attempt - will he finish? Simenkov is holding on here and Rua must be using up a lot of energy. Simenkov has gone limp! He's out! He's out cold! Rua gets to his feet, tossing aside his stricken foe. Arms raised, he milks the applause from the crowd. Great submission!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:41 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Gabriel Rua!
Gabriel Rua took to the mic after the fight and begged the organizational hierarchy for a shot at the title.