PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chibuike Ekenedilichukwu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rickety Cricket (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Ekenedilichukwu
vs
Cricket

200 cm
23
285 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

200 cm
24
265 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Determined

Juggernaut Fuel

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chibuike Ekenedilichukwu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rickety Cricket!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, John Kavanagh and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ekenedilichukwu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ekenedilichukwu is looking to land body kicks.
A head kick misses from Cricket.
Cricket blocks the body kick.
Ekenedilichukwu misses with the combination.
Cricket takes a jab right on the kisser.
Ekenedilichukwu tries a head kick but it misses.
Chibuike Ekenedilichukwu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ekenedilichukwu thuds his right hand into Cricket's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Ekenedilichukwu tries a head kick but it misses.
Ekenedilichukwu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ekenedilichukwu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A head kick by Ekenedilichukwu misses

and Cricket counters with a single leg into guard. Ekenedilichukwu didn't expect that.
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.
Ekenedilichukwu preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cricket passes into half guard.
Ekenedilichukwu is breathing heavily.
Ekenedilichukwu has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Cricket is working away from the top position though.
Cricket content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Cricket has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Cricket wants to free his trapped foot but Ekenedilichukwu is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Ekenedilichukwu is pressing down on Cricket's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Ekenedilichukwu avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cricket preventing the sweep.

That's two 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.
Cricket is looking to work some ground and pound but Ekenedilichukwu has wrist control.
Cricket stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ekenedilichukwu swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cricket is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

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

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ekenedilichukwu throws a body kick that misses.
Ekenedilichukwu throws a head kick that misses
and Cricket counters with a one-two to the body.

Cricket closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Ekenedilichukwu did well to prevent Cricket getting side control.

Cricket is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ekenedilichukwu is just riding it out for now. Cricket eventually gives up the hold.
Ekenedilichukwu avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cricket.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cricket 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.
Ekenedilichukwu manages to get to full guard.

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.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Cricket in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ekenedilichukwu is trying to control the position but Cricket postures up.
Cricket trying to control the position from guard on top but Ekenedilichukwu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ekenedilichukwu has his hands on Cricket's head, controlling the position.
Ekenedilichukwu looking to control.

Cricket is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Ekenedilichukwu is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Ekenedilichukwu has escaped and now he's on top!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Chibuike Ekenedilichukwu will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ekenedilichukwu pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Chibuike Ekenedilichukwu is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ekenedilichukwu fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ekenedilichukwu fails with the takedown
and Cricket counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Ekenedilichukwu throws a head kick that misses
and Cricket counters with a series of strikes. Ekenedilichukwu will be more careful next time no doubt.
Ekenedilichukwu throws a head kick but Cricket moves out of range.
Ekenedilichukwu misses with a head kick.
Ekenedilichukwu looks to land a right hand but Cricket moved out of range.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cricket throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Ekenedilichukwu.

It looks like Chibuike Ekenedilichukwu has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cricket throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Ekenedilichukwu counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Cricket lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cricket is defended easily by Ekenedilichukwu.
Some wild striking there from Cricket.
Cricket misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ekenedilichukwu throws a left and a right that both miss
and Cricket counters with a slapping leg kick.
Cricket misses with a head kick.
Ekenedilichukwu slips a jab and a cross from Cricket.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cricket darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Cricket uses his free foot to push down on Ekenedilichukwu's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Ekenedilichukwu.

Cricket has hold of Ekenedilichukwu's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Ekenedilichukwu manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Ekenedilichukwu tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Cricket lands a big elbow.
Cricket controlling from the full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekenedilichukwu wants to control but Cricket is having none of it.
Cricket looking to ground and pound but Ekenedilichukwu is blocking nicely.
Ekenedilichukwu is trying desperately to improve position.
Cricket is in the full mount, landing strikes.

Cricket looking to isolate an arm here. Ekenedilichukwu doesn't see it coming and as Cricket extends the arm, he's forced to tap out! Nice submission by Cricket!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:05 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Rickety Cricket!