PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jay Gatsby (ranked 115 p4p, 16 weight class) and Thomas Rutherford (ranked 639 p4p, 84 weight class). Thomas Rutherford is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Gatsby
vs
Rutherford

175 cm
39
193 lbs
36 - 19 - 0

187 cm
34
190 lbs
15 - 15 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

CAGED CROW Clothings 50$

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 36 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jay Gatsby!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 15 - 0, fighting out of New York, Thomas Rutherford!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Dillan Fox and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gatsby throws a jab but it's blocked by Rutherford.
Rutherford misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Gatsby rushes Rutherford and presses him up against the cage.
Rutherford has had enough of the clinch but Gatsby keeps him there for the moment.
Rutherford has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rutherford is looking to break free of the clinch but Gatsby has double underhooks.
Rutherford has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rutherford blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Gatsby keeps control of Rutherford as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Rutherford's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gatsby avoids the head kick by Rutherford.
Rutherford moves away from the strike by Gatsby.
Rutherford scoring well with a low kick there.
Gatsby cracks Rutherford with an open hand slap.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rutherford checks a leg kick nicely.
Gatsby avoids the head kick by Rutherford.
Rutherford throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Gatsby.
Rutherford throws a leg kick that is checked

and Gatsby counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Gatsby.
Rutherford prevents a body shot from Gatsby.
Gatsby lands a hook that snaps the head of Rutherford backwards.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Gatsby lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rutherford backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatsby misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gatsby softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Gatsby swings wildly with an uppercut but Rutherford uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rutherford blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short right from Gatsby on the inside.
Gatsby has a couple of punches blocked by Rutherford.
Gatsby is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rutherford gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Rutherford wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Rutherford manages to break the clinch.
Rutherford keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
As Gatsby backs off Rutherford throws a huge counter combo but Gatsby manages to avoid it all.
Gatsby throws a body shot but no joy.

Gatsby drives through and clinches with Rutherford against the cage.

Rutherford's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A good leg kick by Rutherford.
Rutherford displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gatsby throws out the jab.

Gatsby takes the fight into the clinch.
Gatsby misses with the head strike.
Rutherford can't break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gatsby prevents Rutherford from breaking the clinch.
Rutherford is trying to force a seperation but Gatsby has the dominant position.
Rutherford blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Rutherford breaks from the clinch.
Thomas Rutherford is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Gatsby closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Gatsby fails to land.
Gatsby fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rutherford wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Rutherford pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rutherford throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Gatsby connects with an inside leg kick.
Gatsby checks the leg kick.
It looked like Gatsby wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

Gatsby has Rutherford up against the cage in a clinch.
Rutherford has had enough of the clinch but Gatsby keeps him there for the moment.
Gatsby gets through Rutherford's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Gatsby misses with a punch on the inside.
Rutherford wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rutherford has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rutherford tries to circle away but Gatsby has him pinned against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatsby doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rutherford misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Gatsby.
Gatsby misses with a hook from the clinch.

Rutherford breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rutherford attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gatsby looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rutherford with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Gatsby moves in looking to clinch but Rutherford pushes him off.
Rutherford throws a leg kick but Gatsby checks it.
Gatsby shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gatsby tries to clinch there but Rutherford circles away.
Jay Gatsby seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Gatsby clinches with his opponent.
Gatsby lands with a right to the head.
Rutherford is trying to force a seperation but Gatsby has the dominant position.
Rutherford wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
I was talking to Gatsby's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.

Rutherford manages to break the clinch.
A combination from Rutherford does no damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gatsby goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Gatsby throws a shot to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Gatsby shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rutherford defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jay Gatsby. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gatsby jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rutherford misses with a double jab.
Rutherford throws a nice looking combination but Gatsby bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rutherford throws the kick towards the body but Gatsby avoids it.
Rutherford throws out a leg kick but Gatsby moves out of range and Rutherford only half commits.
Gatsby checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Gatsby tries to bum rush Rutherford with a series of wild strikes but Rutherford uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gatsby misses with a straight right.
Rutherford is looking for the big counter here.
Rutherford throws a right and a left that Gatsby avoids nicely.
Rutherford looks for the body kick but Gatsby saw that one coming.
As Rutherford tries to get set, Gatsby tries to push him back and clinch up but Rutherford manages to avoid the attempt.

Gatsby pushes Rutherford up against the cage in a clinch.
Rutherford tries to break free but Gatsby pushes him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jay Gatsby dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A clash of legs there as Rutherford blocks the low kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rutherford.
Gatsby is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rutherford can do to turn this around?
Rutherford takes a swing at Gatsby's ribcage but misses.
Gatsby fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Rutherford on the side of the head.
Gatsby blocks a head kick by Rutherford.
Gatsby takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Gatsby scores with a decent looking hook.
Rutherford misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rutherford lands with a slapping head kick.
Rutherford lands a high kick!
A clash of legs there as Gatsby blocks the low kick.
Gatsby misses the shot to the body.
Gatsby wants to clinch.
Rutherford throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Gatsby on the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rutherford swinging wildly here.
Gatsby pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rutherford pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Gatsby back to the cage. Rutherford follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
A head kick misses from Rutherford.
Gatsby feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Thomas Rutherford is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gatsby tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rutherford paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rutherford appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Rutherford swats away the attempt to clinch by Gatsby.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Rutherford throws the kick towards the body but Gatsby avoids it.
Rutherford misses with a few strikes there.
Thomas Rutherford seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rutherford. That's going to slow Gatsby down.
Gatsby with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Gatsby connects with a body shot.
Gatsby connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Gatsby connects with a good right hand that stumbles Rutherford. Rutherford circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rutherford works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Gatsby clinches up against the cage.
Rutherford wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rutherford pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rutherford tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
As Rutherford tries to get set, Gatsby tries to push him back and clinch up but Rutherford manages to avoid the attempt.
Rutherford misses with a kick to the body.

Gatsby instigates a clinch.
Jay Gatsby has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Gatsby throws a head punch that misses.
Gatsby lands an uppercut.
Rutherford wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Gatsby creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Rutherford is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Rutherford manages to break the clinch.
Gatsby will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Rutherford keeps the fight on the outside.

Gatsby clinches up against the cage.
Gatsby swings wildly with an uppercut but Rutherford uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gatsby prevents Rutherford from breaking the clinch.
Rutherford tries to break the clinch but Gatsby is controlling the position.
Gatsby misses with a punch on the inside.
Gatsby goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatsby scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rutherford tries to break the clinch but Gatsby is controlling the position.
Rutherford has had enough of the clinch but Gatsby keeps him there for the moment.
Gatsby can't find room to land a body shot as Rutherford controls the action.
Rutherford takes a shot to the head.
Rutherford is trying to force a seperation but Gatsby has the dominant position.
Gatsby misses with some punches.
Rutherford wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gatsby has him pressed against the cage.
Gatsby has a couple of punches blocked by Rutherford.
Gatsby has Rutherford pressed against the cage, preventing Rutherford from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Gatsby avoiding damage as Rutherford throws knees to the body.
Gatsby swings wildly with an uppercut but Rutherford uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gatsby lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Gatsby misses with the head strike.
Gatsby lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Gatsby lands with a light punch inside.

Rutherford pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rutherford keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Rutherford lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

Gatsby clinches with his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rutherford breaks the clinch.

Gatsby moves into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rutherford prevents a body shot from Gatsby.

Rutherford breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gatsby misses with an uppercut.
Rutherford throws a big counter head kick but Gatsby avoids it with no problem.
Gatsby wants to clinch
and Rutherford counters with a two punch combo.
Gatsby takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Gatsby scores with a jab to the jaw.
Rutherford delivers a nice body kick.
Gatsby tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rutherford paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Gatsby has Rutherford up against the cage in a clinch.
Rutherford wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Gatsby lands with a short shot to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rutherford is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Gatsby has a couple of punches blocked by Rutherford.

Rutherford escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
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 Jay Gatsby will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rutherford looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A cross from Gatsby lands.
Nice body punch from Gatsby.
Gatsby doesn't manage to clinch there - Rutherford circles away.
Rutherford looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Rutherford misses with a double jab.
Gatsby tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Rutherford manages to circle out of the way.
That kick from Rutherford tenderised Gatsby's leg. Gatsby is trying to keep his angry face on.
Rutherford does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Rutherford closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Rutherford takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

Gatsby darts in and clinches Rutherford up against the cage.

Rutherford breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rutherford takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Rutherford throws a head kick that misses.
Gatsby seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Rutherford misses with the combination.
Rutherford pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rutherford misses with a kick to the body.

Rutherford gets caught flat footed, as Gatsby shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Rutherford is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Gatsby dives into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Rutherford is looking to reverse the position.
Gatsby scoring with punches from side control.
Rutherford regains half guard, as Gatsby was trying to land strikes.
Gatsby wants to free his trapped foot but Rutherford is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Gatsby lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gatsby working Rutherford over with strikes.
Gatsby thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rutherford's head.
Gatsby trying to control the action but Rutherford is working from the bottom.
Gatsby lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Rutherford keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Gatsby working the head and body with strikes.

Rutherford looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rutherford is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatsby perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Rutherford is looking to improve his position.
Gatsby is pressing down on Rutherford's thigh, looking to free his foot. Rutherford is holding on for now.
Rutherford avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gatsby.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Gatsby in particular looking to stall.
Nice strikes from Gatsby there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Gatsby scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Ground and pound from Gatsby.
Rutherford wants to get back to full guard.
Gatsby sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rutherford defending well though.
Rutherford taking some punishment here, with Gatsby in his half guard.
Rutherford moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Gatsby tries to free his leg and advance position but Rutherford is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jay Gatsby clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Gatsby tries to clinch but Rutherford is having none of it.
Gatsby tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rutherford manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Rutherford feints a counter leg kick.
Rutherford moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Rutherford uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gatsby.
Rutherford gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Gatsby.

Gatsby throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Rutherford tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Gatsby is in Rutherford's guard.
Gatsby postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Rutherford wants to sweep but no luck.
Gatsby lands a couple of elbows.

Rutherford is rocked!

Rutherford is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rutherford is still in real trouble! Can Gatsby finish him?
Gatsby is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatsby makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Rutherford utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gatsby might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Gatsby advances position into side control!
Rutherford on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Gatsby creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Rutherford sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Gatsby scores with a big shot from side control... and another... and another! Oh Rutherford is done here - save him referee! More strikes land and eventually the ref does step in and Gatsby can finally stop beating on his defenseless opponent!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jay Gatsby!
Jay Gatsby retains his middleweight title!
Jay Gatsby looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'My life, old sport, my life... my life has got to be like this... It's got to keep going on.'.