PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ashley Morrison (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jonny Rico (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Morrison
vs
Rico

188 cm
29
191 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

190 cm
28
195 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Ashley Morrison!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Jonny Rico!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Chris Edwards and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rico throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Morrison counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Morrison has a takedown stuffed.
Rico misses with a combination
and Morrison counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Some wild striking there from Rico.
Morrison misses with a takedown attempt
and Rico counters with a left and a right that stings Morrison.
Good standup being displayed there by Morrison as he connects with a hook.
Rico steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Morrison.

Morrison fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Rico sprawls well initially but Morrison persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Morrison sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rico defending well though.
Rico is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Morrison thows a huge punch but Rico dodges it nicely.
Rico keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rico wants to get back to full guard.
Morrison lands strikes from half guard.
Morrison not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rico is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rico is controlling Morrison's trapped leg to prevent Morrison from advancing to side control.
Morrison stops Rico from getting back to his feet.
Morrison looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Morrison not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rico is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rico is trying to stand.
Morrison missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Morrison throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Rico wants to get back to full guard.
Morrison thows a huge punch but Rico dodges it nicely.
Morrison wants to free his trapped foot but Rico is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Morrison thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rico's head.
Rico looks like he's trying to stand up.
Morrison wants to free his trapped foot but Rico is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Rico is trying to stand.
Morrison thows a huge punch but Rico dodges it nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rico wants to control but Morrison is keeping busy.

Morrison wants to work for an arm triangle but Rico is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Morrison is breathing heavily.
Morrison looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Rico with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Rico gets full guard.
Rico really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Morrison. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Morrison preventing the sweep.
Rico wants to stand but Morrison is controlling the position.

Morrison drops back looking for a leg! Rico is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Rico manages to kick Morrison off! Morrison jumps back into Rico's guard.
Rico working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Morrison.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rico wants to stand but Morrison is controlling the position.
Morrison trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rico is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rico manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Rico raining down hammerfists from mount.
Rico punishing his opponent with strikes.
Morrison sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Morrison has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Rico missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Rico lands strikes from half guard.

Morrison actively working from the bottom here.
Rico thows a huge punch but Morrison dodges it nicely.
Morrison moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rico throwing strikes but missing.

Rico got a little sloppy there for a moment and Morrison has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rico has managed to get both his arms back between Morrison's legs - danger averted.
Rico is looking to work some ground and pound but Morrison has wrist control.
Rico working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rico throws a big right hand that misses.

Morrison had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rico defends it easily.
Rico working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Morrison working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rico.
Rico with a flurry of punches that miss.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rico postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Rico is looking to work some ground and pound but Morrison has wrist control.
Rico loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rico in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
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 Ashley Morrison will probably get the nod.
That's time! Morrison's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Morrison fails with the takedown
enabling Rico to counter with a crisp jab.
Morrison lands a lovely overhand right.
Morrison throws a predictable looking body shot
letting Rico counter with a right hand.
Rico throws a series of punches but Morrison moves out of range.
Rico throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Morrison counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rico swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
letting Morrison counter with a right hand.
Rico throws a left and a right that both miss
and Morrison counters with a nice uppercut.
Ashley Morrison is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Morrison throws a right and a left that Rico avoids nicely.
Rico throws a left and a right that both miss
and Morrison counters with a nice uppercut.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Morrison uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Morrison misses with a wild combination.
Jonny Rico seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Morrison slips a jab and a cross from Rico.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morrison throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Morrison has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Rico finds it's way round the side to connect with Morrison's head.
Rico misses with a combination
and Morrison counters with a three punch combo that has Rico backing up. Rico nods at Morrison to acknowledge the strikes.
Morrison tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rico was well out of range. Poor timing from Morrison.
Rico misses with a wild combination.
No joy there for Rico, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Rico throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Morrison counter with a right hand.
Morrison lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Rico throws a lazy right hand but Morrison sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

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.
Morrison rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rico moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nice uppercut there from Rico.
Rico slips under a jab.
Rico misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Morrison connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Rico throws an overhand right that lands on Morrison's shoulder, as Morrison tries to avoid the shot.
Rico throws a right and a left that Morrison avoids nicely.
Rico throws a combination that misses

and Morrison counters with a shoot takedown. Rico fights it but they end up in guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Morrison with a flurry of punches that miss.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Morrison accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Morrison throwing strikes from guard but Rico blocks nicely.
Morrison stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rico swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rico is controlling Morrison's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morrison working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rico is pulling down on Morrison's head to control his posture.
Rico wants to get back to his feet but Morrison is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Rico looking to hit a scissor sweep but Morrison is one step ahead there.
Morrison scoring with some ground and pound.
Morrison lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Rico controlling Morrison's posture.
Rico working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Morrison.
Rico is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Morrison throwing strikes but missing.
Morrison trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Morrison throwing strikes from guard but Rico blocks nicely.
Morrison throwing strikes from guard but Rico blocks nicely.
Morrison missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rico wants to stand but Morrison is controlling the position.
Rico pulls Morrison in close to his closed guard and prevents Morrison from doing any damage or advancing position.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Jonny Rico wasn't active enough on the ground.
Morrison misses with a left hand
and Morrison takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rico throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Morrison.
Rico tries to move into range but Morrison moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Rico misses with a two punch combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rico avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rico throws a combination that misses
and Morrison counters with a nice uppercut.
Rico misses with a combination
letting Morrison counter with a right hand.
Morrison throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Some wild striking there from Morrison.
Jonny Rico seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rico throws a left and a right that both miss
and Morrison cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rico throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Morrison counters with a two punch combo.
Rico misses with a double jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morrison cracks Rico with a right hand to the side of the head.
Rico throws a poor cross that misses
and Morrison connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rico throws a big shot that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Morrison looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rico looks to land a combination. Morrison sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
A telegraphed right hand from Rico misses the target.
Rico falls off balance throwing a combination
and Morrison counters with a left to the body.
A cross from Rico lands.
Morrison lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rico circles away quickly and effectively.
Jonny Rico is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rico paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Rico fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rico misses with a combination
enabling Morrison to counter with a crisp jab.
Rico takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Rico connects with the punch.
Jonny Rico has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two 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.
Rico keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Morrison.
Rico swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A slow jab from Rico misses its intended target.
Morrison looks to land a combination but Rico avoids it well.
Morrison misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rico misses with the combination.
Rico throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Morrison counters with a three punch combo that has Rico backing up. Rico nods at Morrison to acknowledge the strikes.
Morrison fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rico scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Rico misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Morrison cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Morrison misses with a wild combination.
Morrison moves away from the strike by Rico.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rico lands a nice shot to the body.
A decent looking cross lands there for Morrison.
Rico looks to land a combination but Morrison avoids it well.
Rico walks into a stiff left hand from Morrison.
Morrison throws a right hand that Rico ducks under and follows up with a left that Rico also avoids with ease.
Rico misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rico throws a left and a right that both miss
and Morrison cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rico swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Morrison counters with a nice double leg into side control. Rico won't be happy with that.
Rico is trying to get back to his feet.
Morrison fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Morrison looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Rico is avoiding damage well.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Rico can do anything to dispel that myth.
Rico is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Morrison has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Morrison tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Rico manages to work his way to half guard, despite Morrison's best efforts.
Morrison stops Rico from getting back to his feet.
Morrison thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rico's head.
Morrison not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rico avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Morrison.
Rico preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Rico is trying to get back to full guard.
Morrison throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Rico punching from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ashley Morrison showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Morrison, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Atkins scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ashley Morrison!