PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Aaron Average (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Merv Ridley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ridley has chosen Don't Turn Off The Lights - Enrique Iglesias as his entrance music. The key to victory for Aaron Average has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Average
vs
Ridley

178 cm
21
156 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

180 cm
26
163 lbs
7 - 10 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Aaron Average!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Merv Ridley!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, James Atkins and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Average moves in looking to clinch but Ridley pushes him off.

Average changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ridley looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Ridley is trying to work for a sweep but Average has mounted him!
Ridley is squirming around, avoiding Average's attempts to control the action.
Ridley wants to control but Average is having none of it.
Average prevents Ridley from getting the reversal.

Average stands up from mount. Strange move.
Ridley swats away the attempt to clinch by Average.
Ridley swats away the attempt to clinch by Average.

Average closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Ridley has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Average clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Average just trying to survive but Ridley is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Ridley misses with punches from the back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Average covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Ridley is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Average knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Average for a finish.
Average manages to reverse the position and now he's in Ridley's guard. Nice work there by Average.

Average got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ridley has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Average has managed to get both his arms back between Ridley's legs - danger averted.
Average trying to control but Ridley is working from the bottom.
Average wants to stand but Ridley has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Ridley keeping moving, preventing Average from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Average slips nicely into half guard.
Average is trying to control the action in half guard but Ridley is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Ridley is looking for a sweep. Average is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Average fails with an attempt to clinch.

Average bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Ridley looks gassed!
Average advances nicely into full mount.
Ridley is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Average stands up from mount. Strange move.
Average fails with an attempt to clinch.
Average moves in looking to clinch but Ridley pushes him off.
Ridley avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Average closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Average is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ridley is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Average tries to stand but Ridley is controlling his head.
Ridley is looking to reverse the position.

Average decides to stand back up.

Average shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ridley manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Average trying to control but Ridley is working from the bottom.

Ridley is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Average is aware though and is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Average trying to control the position from guard on top but Ridley is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Average decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Ridley with a poor takedown

and Average counters with a takedown into side control.
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!
Ridley is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Average's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Ridley is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Average stands up and beckons Ridley to join him on the feet.
Ridley circles away from the clinch attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Average decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Average seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ridley does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ridley regains full guard. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Average is looking to clinch.

Average shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Ridley napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Average working away.

Average stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Average tries to clinch there but Ridley circles away.
Average tries to clinch up but Ridley circles away and keeps his distance.
Average tries to clinch there but Ridley circles away.
Average wants to clinch up but Ridley keeps it at a distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Average looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ridley doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Average counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Ridley's guard now.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Ridley is working an open guard so Average takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Average throws a nice head kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Average tries to clinch but Ridley is having none of it.
Average tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ridley swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Average tries to close the distance and clinch but Ridley swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Ridley shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Ridley is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Average defends it well.

Average looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Ridley is trying to work for a kimura but Average is defending well.
Average is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ridley wants to lay and pray for a moment but Average keeps working.

Ridley is working for a kimura but Average is defending it quite comfortably.
Average is trying to stand.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ridley tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Average swivels and escapes.

Average shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Average showed some decent athleticism there.
Ridley is pressing down on Average's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ridley looking for a guillotine here but Average defends easily.

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

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

Ridley is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Ridley working for a triangle but Average defends it easily.

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.

Average gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
A shot to the liver by Average. Beautiful body shot.
Ridley misses with a takedown attempt

and Average counters with a single leg into guard. Ridley didn't expect that.
Aaron Average has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Merv Ridley.

Ridley looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Average works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Ridley wants to get back to full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Average is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aaron Average dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Average drives through with a takedown into guard.

Average stands up and waves to Ridley to follow him.
Aaron Average seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ridley looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Average tries to clinch up.

Average shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ridley manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Average's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Average wants to control from the top but Ridley keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Average is really struggling to control Ridley but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Average wants to stand but Ridley has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Ridley working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Average doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Average manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Average tries to stand but Ridley is controlling from the bottom.

Ridley looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Average trying to control the position from guard on top but Ridley is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Ridley is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Average defends well.
Merv Ridley has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Ridley has his foot on Average's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Average works his way back into a safe position though.

Average stands up and waves to Ridley to follow him.
Average gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Ridley counters with a single leg into guard. Average didn't expect that.
Average working a defensive guard here.

Ridley 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.
Average is looking to stand up but Ridley isn't so interested in that idea.
Average is trying to control the position but Ridley postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Average working for a triangle but Ridley defends it easily.

Average is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Ridley content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Ridley is in close to Average's body, working some short punches and elbows.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Average throws a series of punches but Ridley moves out of range.
Average tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ridley paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Average doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Ridley counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ridley cracks Average with a solid left hand.

Average escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ridley gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ridley postures up.

Average escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ridley gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Aaron Average is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ridley stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Average swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Average manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ridley manages to get himself to full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Ridley has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Average is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Ridley.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Merv Ridley.
Well Average 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 James Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 29:28
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aaron Average!