PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Reed Richards (ranked 25368 p4p, 24855 weight class) and Penko Penev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Richards
vs
Penev

188 cm
24
195
0 - 2 - 0

195 cm
19
195
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Reed Richards!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Penko Penev!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Peter Branson and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Penev drives through with a takedown into Richards's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Richards is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Richards looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Penev looking to pass the guard.
Penev must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Penev is still trying to improve position.
Penev trying to control the position from guard on top but Richards is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Richards is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Penev is aware though and is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Penev looking to pass the guard.

Penev drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Penev jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Richards is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Penev defends well.
Penev wants to control from the top but Richards keeps moving.
Richards is trying to control the position but Penev postures up.

Richards has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Penev can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Penev thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Richards is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Richards working for a triangle but Penev defends it easily.
Richards is trying to control the position but Penev postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Penev thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Richards is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Penev wants to control from the top but Richards keeps moving.

Richards has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Penev can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Penev tries to free his leg and advance position but Richards is retaining full guard.

Richards had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Penev defends it easily.
Penev pushing down on Richards's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Penev is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Richards is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Penev is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Penev is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Penev is trying to work for a kimura but Richards is defending well.

Penev is working for a submission of some sort.

Penev is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Richards gets back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Richards looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Richards bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Penev's guard.

Penev working for a triangle but Richards defends it easily.
Richards lands a couple of digs.

Richards drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Richards jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Richards is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Richards postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Penev is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Richards, into his guard.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Richards keeping full guard, as Penev tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reed Richards dominated that round.
That's time! Richards's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Richards looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Penev is refusing to be controlled, as Richards sits in half guard.
Richards looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Penev trying to hold on to Richards's head to control him but Richards postures up.
Richards lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Penev is trying to control but can't.

Penev looking for submissions off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Penev is looking for a sweep. Richards is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Penev moves into full guard.
Richards wants to control from the top but Penev keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Penev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Richards doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Richards manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Richards is looking to work some ground and pound but Penev has wrist control.

Penev has an active guard here but Richards has managed to pass into half guard.
Richards throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Richards seems to be working for a kimura but Penev defends the submission attempt.
Richards prevents Penev from improving his position.
Reed Richards overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Penev has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Richards is working away from the top position though.
Penev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Richards is pressing down on Penev's thigh, looking to free his foot. Penev is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Penev trying to control from the bottom.

Penev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Richards wants to work for an arm triangle but Penev is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Richards is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Richards is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Penev can do to turn this around?

Penev looking for submissions off his back.
Penev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Richards is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Penev is just riding it out for now. Richards eventually gives up the hold.
Richards lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Richards prevents Penev from improving his position.
Penev trying to control but Richards postures up.
Penev tries to roll over but Richards keeps him under control.
Penev really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Richards. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Richards missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Richards seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Penev does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four 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.

Penev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Richards pulls his head out easily.
Richards thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Penev's head.
Richards is thwarting Penev's attempts to control the position.

Penev looking for submissions off his back.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Penev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Richards tries to pass to full mount but Penev defends it.

Penev actively working from the bottom here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Richards is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Penev doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Richards.

Richards is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Penev sees it coming and defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reed Richards dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Richards fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Penev to the ground. Richards is now in Penev's guard.
Penev is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Penev seems to be looking for submissions.

Richards looking for submissions off his back.

Richards looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Penev is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Richards looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Richards is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Penev pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Penev seems content to control.

Penev is looking for a kimura but Richards is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Penev to get the leverage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Penev seems to be working for a kimura but Richards defends the submission attempt.

Richards is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Penev pulls his head out easily.
Penev has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Richards sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Penev looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Richards trying to control from the bottom.
Penko Penev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richards holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Richards is trying to get back to full guard.

Penev is working for a submission of some sort.
Penev blocks the strikes from Richards.
Richards slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Richards working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Penev.
Penev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Richards throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Penev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penev throwing strikes from guard but Richards blocks nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Penev thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Richards has his foot on Penev's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Penev works his way back into a safe position though.
Penev tries to free his leg and advance position but Richards is retaining full guard.
Penev trying to control the position from guard on top but Richards is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Penev looking to pass the guard.
Penev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Richards trying to keep a closed guard but Penev is proving a slippery customer.

Penev got a little sloppy there for a moment and Richards has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Penev has managed to get both his arms back between Richards's legs - danger averted.
Penev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Richards working for a triangle but Penev defends it easily.

Richards looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Reed Richards is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Richards looking for a sweep. Not yet Richards, not yet.

Penev is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Richards is controlling Penev's posture.
Richards is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Penev postures up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Penev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Penev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Reed Richards showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Richards has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Dirk Anderson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Reed Richards!