PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Ryba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chibuike Ekenedilichukwu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chibuike Ekenedilichukwu struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 266.9lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Ryba
vs
Ekenedilichukwu

198 cm
24
256 lbs
4 - 3 - 1

200 cm
22
285 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 1, fighting out of New York, Mike Ryba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chibuike Ekenedilichukwu!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Alyssa Summers and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ekenedilichukwu throws a sloppy head kick and Ryba moves out of range easily.

Ryba pushes Ekenedilichukwu up against the cage in a clinch.
Ekenedilichukwu wants to get back to striking at distance but Ryba won't allow it.
Ryba lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Chibuike Ekenedilichukwu has been cut.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Ryba as Ekenedilichukwu tries to tie him up.

Ryba breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A head kick from Ryba lands but Ekenedilichukwu takes it in his stride.
Ryba goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Ekenedilichukwu has a takedown stuffed.
Ekenedilichukwu fails with a takedown attempt.
Ekenedilichukwu tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A head kick misses from Ryba.

Ekenedilichukwu scores a takedown into full mount!
Ryba tries to buck Ekenedilichukwu off but he can't manage it.
Ryba trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekenedilichukwu punching from mount but Ryba doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Ekenedilichukwu tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Ekenedilichukwu moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Ryba has worked his arm free - good work by Ryba!
Ekenedilichukwu looks gassed!
Ryba is trying to get back to his feet.
Ryba defending against the ground and pound.

That's two 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.
Ekenedilichukwu working the ground and pound but Ryba is defending the strikes.
Ryba wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Ekenedilichukwu trying to control the position but Ryba is working away.
Ekenedilichukwu looks up at the clock and then as Ryba takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Ekenedilichukwu smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

Ekenedilichukwu tries for a kimura but Ryba is defending well.
Ryba is trying to buck Ekenedilichukwu off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ekenedilichukwu lands a right hook to the body.
Ryba lands a head kick!

Ryba closes the distance and pushes Ekenedilichukwu back into the cage.

Ryba breaks the clinch.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Ekenedilichukwu looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Ekenedilichukwu sitting in guard here, content to control.
Ekenedilichukwu slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Ekenedilichukwu looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekenedilichukwu prevents Ryba from escaping the position.
Ryba on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

Ekenedilichukwu decides to stand up, so the ref orders Ryba to his feet.
Ekenedilichukwu shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ryba but Ryba pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Mike Ryba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chibuike Ekenedilichukwu.
Ryba throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mike Ryba seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ryba throws a sloppy head kick and Ekenedilichukwu moves out of range easily.
Ryba misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Chibuike Ekenedilichukwu will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Chibuike Ekenedilichukwu's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ekenedilichukwu ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ryba throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ekenedilichukwu blocks a head kick by Ryba.
Ekenedilichukwu changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ryba tries to avoid it but Ekenedilichukwu manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ryba to the ground. Ryba escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ekenedilichukwu shoots for a double leg takedown but Ryba sprawls well. He's pushed Ekenedilichukwu's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mike Ryba is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ekenedilichukwu fails with a takedown attempt.
Mike Ryba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chibuike Ekenedilichukwu.

Ekenedilichukwu tries to keep at a distance but Ryba has taken the fight into the clinch.

Ryba breaks from the clinch.
Ryba tries to clinch up but Ekenedilichukwu circles away and keeps his distance.
Ekenedilichukwu shoots for a takedown but Ryba saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Ekenedilichukwu tries to keep at a distance but Ryba has taken the fight into the clinch.

Ryba pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Ryba takes the fight into the clinch.
Ryba throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ekenedilichukwu blocks it with crossed arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ryba tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ekenedilichukwu wants to break free but Ryba has control.
Ekenedilichukwu leaning his opponent against the cage.
Ekenedilichukwu goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ryba prevents it.
Ryba throws a knee to the head but misses.
Ryba with a knee to the head.

Ryba's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ekenedilichukwu fails with a takedown attempt.

Ekenedilichukwu changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ryba looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Ekenedilichukwu is looking to take a break and control but Ryba is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ryba parries the strikes from Ekenedilichukwu easily there. Ekenedilichukwu is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Ryba to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ryba is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Ekenedilichukwu tries for a kimura but Ryba is defending well.
Ryba trying to remain calm as Ekenedilichukwu controls from the top position.
Let's hope that Ekenedilichukwu has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ekenedilichukwu has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Mike Ryba is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ekenedilichukwu keeps the fight on the outside.

Ryba gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Ekenedilichukwu is trying to break free.
Ryba prevents Ekenedilichukwu from breaking the clinch.
Ekenedilichukwu manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Ekenedilichukwu wants a takedown but no success here.
Ryba connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ekenedilichukwu's face.
Ekenedilichukwu has had enough of the clinch but Ryba keeps him there for the moment.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekenedilichukwu shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ryba as he jumps to the side.
Ryba throws a head kick that misses.
Ekenedilichukwu tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ryba avoids the head kick by Ekenedilichukwu.

Ryba moves into the clinch.

Ekenedilichukwu gets control of Ryba's arms and successfully pulls guard. Ekenedilichukwu will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Ekenedilichukwu is trying to control the position but Ryba postures up.
Ryba is looking to stand up but Ekenedilichukwu won't let him.
Ekenedilichukwu is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Ekenedilichukwu controls Ryba momentarily but Ryba frees himself.

Ekenedilichukwu has his foot on Ryba's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ryba works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Chibuike Ekenedilichukwu will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Chibuike Ekenedilichukwu's cut.
That's time! Ryba's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Ekenedilichukwu swats away the attempt to clinch by Ryba.
Ryba tries to clinch but Ekenedilichukwu moves out of range.
Ryba lands a high kick!
Ryba tries to clinch but Ekenedilichukwu moves out of range.
Ryba is looking to clinch.
Ekenedilichukwu shoots in and drives through. Ryba sprawls well.
Ryba tries to clinch but Ekenedilichukwu is having none of it.
Ryba stuffs the takedown attempt from Ekenedilichukwu. Ekenedilichukwu gets slowly back to his feet.
Ryba lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

Ryba fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ekenedilichukwu, pushing him back against the cage.
Ryba connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ekenedilichukwu's face.

Ryba manages to break the clinch.
Ryba tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Ryba has Ekenedilichukwu up against the cage in a clinch.
Ekenedilichukwu jumps guard but Ryba stands there with Ekenedilichukwu around his waist. Ekenedilichukwu gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Mike Ryba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chibuike Ekenedilichukwu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekenedilichukwu stalling in the clinch but Ryba improves position.

Ryba breaks the clinch.
Ryba throws a nice head kick!
Ryba throws a sloppy head kick and Ekenedilichukwu moves out of range easily.
Ryba throws a sloppy head kick and Ekenedilichukwu moves out of range easily.
Ekenedilichukwu shoots in for a takedown but Ryba shows good takedown defense.
Ekenedilichukwu looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Ryba closes the distance and clinches.
Ryba stops a takedown attempt from Ekenedilichukwu.
Ekenedilichukwu can't get the takedown.
Ryba with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ekenedilichukwu goes for a takedown attempt but Ryba pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Ekenedilichukwu shoots in and drives through. Ryba sprawls well.
Ryba tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ekenedilichukwu fails with the takedown.
Ekenedilichukwu shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ryba throws a head kick that misses.
Ekenedilichukwu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ryba checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A head kick misses from Ekenedilichukwu.
Ekenedilichukwu uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ryba has time to react.
Ekenedilichukwu shoots for a takedown but Ryba saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ryba tries to clinch

and Ekenedilichukwu counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Ryba keeping full guard, as Ekenedilichukwu tries to pass.
Ekenedilichukwu slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Ekenedilichukwu thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekenedilichukwu with the ground and pound but Ryba regains half guard under the barage of strikes.

Ekenedilichukwu gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Ryba fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ekenedilichukwu tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ryba swivels and escapes.

Ryba has Ekenedilichukwu up against the cage in a clinch.
Ryba tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ryba wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ryba using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ekenedilichukwu has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ryba gets underhooks to prevent Ekenedilichukwu's takedown attempt.
Ekenedilichukwu tries to score a body lock takedown but Ryba shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Ryba pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
No luck for Ekenedilichukwu with that takedown attempt.
Ekenedilichukwu wants to clinch.
Ekenedilichukwu looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ryba throws a head kick that misses

and Ekenedilichukwu holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Ryba's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ekenedilichukwu has a takedown stuffed.
Horrible takedown by Ekenedilichukwu or perhaps it was just good defense by Ryba which made him look bad.
Mike Ryba has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Ryba moves into the clinch.
Chibuike Ekenedilichukwu is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Ryba pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Ryba showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ekenedilichukwu 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Chibuike Ekenedilichukwu!