PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wusan Ritori (ranked 985 p4p, 2842 weight class) and Okoro Igwe (ranked 149 p4p, 350 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Ritori
vs
Igwe

189 cm
28
203
9 - 2 - 0

180 cm
29
205
7 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Wusan Ritori!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Okoro Igwe!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, James Glass and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Igwe changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ritori looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Igwe wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ritori keeps working.

Igwe is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ritori is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Igwe staying calm.
Igwe trying to control the position but Ritori is working away.
Igwe controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ritori sneaks back into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Igwe with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Igwe wants to take a breather but Ritori is having none of it.
Ritori knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Igwe on the ground.

Igwe is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Igwe controlling the action here.
Igwe tries to pass the half guard into mount. Ritori knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Igwe is trying to control the action in half guard but Ritori is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Igwe keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Igwe tries to pass to full mount but Ritori defends it.
Igwe takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

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

Igwe is trying to work for a kimura but Ritori is defending well.
Igwe content to control rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Igwe tries to pass the half guard into mount. Ritori knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Igwe is taking a breather. Ritori says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Nice sprawl there from Ritori as Igwe shoots in.
As Igwe backs away, Ritori returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Igwe shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ritori counters with a straight right hand.
Ritori stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
The fighters circle momentarily. Ritori darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
A slow jab from Ritori misses its intended target.
Okoro Igwe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Igwe tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ritori sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Igwe somewhat.
Wusan Ritori has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Okoro Igwe.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Igwe shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Ritori counters with a nice right hand that sends Igwe toppling to the canvas! Igwe scrambles and gets back to his feet - can Ritori finish him?!

Igwe is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Igwe gets clipped by a big right hand and goes down spinning to the canvas! Ritori gets the back mount and begins to drop bombs on his rocked foe! Igwe is too out of it to defend against the strikes and the referee jumps in to save him from the beatdown!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:18 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Wusan Ritori!
A victorious Wusan Ritori thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.