PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mark Mitchell (ranked 3923 p4p, 390 weight class) and Trent Ruta (ranked 7805 p4p, 590 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Mitchell
vs
Ruta

186 cm
26
155 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

167 cm
25
157 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Sportivité

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mark Mitchell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Trent Ruta!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Jorge Garcia and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mitchell gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Ruta manages to break the clinch.
Ruta tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mitchell was well out of range. Poor timing from Ruta.
Ruta fails to land with a series of punches.
Ruta misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mitchell swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Ruta takes the fight into the clinch.
Mitchell blocks an elbow strike.
Ruta tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Mitchell smiles and moves away.
Mitchell dives in for a single leg takedown but Ruta sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Mitchell misses with a wild combination.

Ruta closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mitchell content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Ruta escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mitchell misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ruta steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Mitchell.
Mitchell really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Ruta moves into the clinch successfully.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ruta fails to pull guard.
Ruta just leaning against Mitchell, taking a breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mitchell is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ruta gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ruta misses with a hook from the clinch.

Mitchell manages to break the clinch.
Mitchell swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Despite the aggression on Ruta's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Ruta defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mitchell.
Mitchell backing away here, and Ruta unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Mitchell. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ruta has managed to clinch.
Ruta trying to land knees to the body.

Ruta breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ruta wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Ruta darts in looking for a takedown but Mitchell gets double underhooks and turns Ruta into the cage.
A combination from Mitchell does no damage.
Mitchell looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Mitchell misses with an attempted mid kick.
Ruta looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mitchell is fending him off so far but Ruta persists. Nope, Mitchell circles away and we're back to standing.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Mitchell clinches up with Ruta and pushes him back against the cage.

Ruta's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Mitchell gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Mitchell's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mitchell looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Horrible takedown attempt by Mitchell or perhaps it was just good defense by Ruta, which made it look bad.

Ruta instigates a clinch.
Mitchell fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Ruta's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mitchell throws a nice looking combination but Ruta bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ruta darts in looking for a takedown but Mitchell gets double underhooks and turns Ruta into the cage.
Mitchell shoots in looking for a takedown but Ruta manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Mitchell's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ruta looks to score with a jab to the body but Mitchell is just out of range.
Ruta misses with a takedown attempt - Mitchell sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Mitchell gets tackled into the cage by Ruta. Ruta maintains the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ruta pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mitchell has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ruta.
Mitchell throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ruta's waist but Ruta gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mitchell off to one side.
Mitchell avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ruta misses with a wild combination.
Mitchell throws a big counter combination but Ruta scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

Ruta darts in and clinches Mitchell up against the cage.
Ruta tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mitchell avoids it.
Ruta trying to stall but Mitchell improves his position.

Ruta breaks from the clinch.
We've been informed that Ruta has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Mitchell pushes Ruta up against the cage in a clinch.
Ruta stalling.
I was talking to Mitchell's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Ruta goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ruta misses with an elbow over the top.
Ruta lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruta lands an elbow just above Mitchell 's eye.
Ruta is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Ruta just misses with a elbow thrown towards Mitchell's brow.
With the fighters up against the cage, Ruta throws an elbow but misses.
Ruta lands a shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Still in the clinch, Ruta scores with a nice short uppercut.
Mitchell trying to land knees to the body.

Ruta manages to break the clinch.
Mitchell shoots in for a takedown but Ruta shows good takedown defense.
Ruta shoots in looking for a takedown but Mitchell manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ruta's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ruta throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mitchell's waist but Mitchell gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ruta off to one side.
Nice sprawl there from Mitchell as Ruta shoots in.
Ruta tries to clinch but Mitchell is having none of it.
Some wild striking there from Ruta.
Mitchell looks to land a combination. Ruta sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Trent Ruta dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Mitchell tries to keep at a distance but Ruta has taken the fight into the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Mitchell.
Ruta tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Ruta breaks from the clinch.
Ruta has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mitchell throws a hook to the side of Ruta's head but Ruta sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mitchell shoots in for a double leg but Ruta sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Ruta moves into the clinch.
Mitchell goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ruta prevents it.

Mitchell manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mitchell clinches with his opponent.
Ruta goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ruta is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Mitchell to keep the fight standing.

Ruta decides to pull guard.
Mitchell wants to control from the top but Ruta keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ruta throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Ruta trying to control the position.
Mitchell wants to control from the top but Ruta keeps moving.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Mitchell pushing down on Ruta's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's two 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.
Ruta is looking to escape.
Mitchell looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Ruta missing with punches from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ruta looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mitchell blocks a head kick by Ruta.

Ruta instigates a clinch.

Mitchell breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Mitchell has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ruta tries to pull guard but Mitchell won't allow it.
Ruta is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Mitchell is defending well.
Mark Mitchell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Trent Ruta.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mitchell jumps guard and drags Ruta to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Mitchell will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Mitchell had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ruta defends it easily.
Ruta is looking to work some ground and pound but Mitchell has wrist control.
Mitchell keeping moving, preventing Ruta from controlling successfully.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Mitchell manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Mitchell is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ruta is defending well for now.

Ruta breaks the clinch.
Ruta wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mitchell is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ruta sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ruta doesn't manage to clinch there - Mitchell circles away.
A combination from Ruta does no damage.
Mitchell throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ruta doesn't manage to clinch there - Mitchell circles away.
Mitchell tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ruta sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mitchell somewhat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mitchell looks to land a combination but Ruta avoids it well.
Mitchell scores with a jab. Ruta acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ruta tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mitchell shoots in but no luck this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ruta fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mitchell misses with a jab, cross combination.

Mitchell tries to keep at a distance but Ruta has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Ruta obliges.
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 Mitchell will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Ruta connects with an inside leg kick.
Ruta lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Mitchell backs up against the cage.
Mitchell circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ruta tries for a takedown but Mitchell sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ruta changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mitchell tries to avoid it but Ruta manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mitchell to the ground. Mitchell escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ruta tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mitchell paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Ruta clinches.
Ruta is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Mitchell to keep the fight standing.
Mark Mitchell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Trent Ruta.
Ruta tries to land knees in the clinch but Mitchell avoids the damage to the body.

Ruta breaks from the clinch.
Mitchell fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ruta rushes Mitchell and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ruta stalling the fight.
Mitchell tries to stall but Ruta uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Ruta jumps guard and drags Mitchell to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Ruta looking for a guillotine here but Mitchell defends easily.
Ruta takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mitchell preventing the sweep.
Ruta keeping moving, preventing Mitchell from controlling successfully.
Ruta thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Ruta avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ruta is trying to control the position but Mitchell postures up.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's two 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.
Ruta throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Mark Mitchell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mitchell throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ruta takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Ruta throws a series of punches but Mitchell avoids them all with ease.
Ruta fails to land the takedown.
Mitchell will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ruta is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mitchell throws a nice looking combination but Ruta bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Ruta clinches.
Ruta throws an elbow that misses.
Ruta tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Ruta pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mark Mitchell is winning the standup battle so far.
Mitchell is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ruta sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mitchell looks to land a body kick but Ruta moved away.

Mitchell gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ruta digs a right hand underneath Mitchell's ribcage. Mitchell let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Ruta is trying to pull guard but Mitchell has him pressed against the cage.
Ruta lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

Mitchell pulls guard effortlessly.
Ruta in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mitchell utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ruta throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mitchell works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ruta throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mitchell works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ruta trying to control but Mitchell is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruta throws a big right hand that misses.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Mitchell avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Mitchell throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ruta's waist but Ruta gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mitchell off to one side.

Ruta gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Mitchell's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Mitchell lands a knee to the body.
Mitchell is looking to break free of the clinch but Ruta has double underhooks.
Mitchell jumps guard but Ruta turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Ruta lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Ruta using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mitchell has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Ruta decides to pull guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Trent Ruta comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ruta has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Trent Ruta!
Trent Ruta seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.