PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Head (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Randy Ripheart (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Head
vs
Ripheart

188 cm
21
205 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

185 cm
21
190 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Anthony Head!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Randy Ripheart!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Chris Edwards and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ripheart tries to land a leg kick but Head saw it coming and moves away.
Head looks to land a combination but Ripheart avoids it well.
Head throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ripheart's waist but Ripheart gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Head off to one side.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Ripheart breaks from the clinch.
Head avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Head tries to clinch but Ripheart moves away
and Ripheart counters with a thumping low kick.
Head is breathing heavily.

Ripheart clinches.
Ripheart content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Ripheart breaks the clinch.

Head tries to keep at a distance but Ripheart has taken the fight into the clinch.

Ripheart is trying to trip Head. He has hold of a leg but Head is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Ripheart persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Ripheart content to stall in guard here.
Head controls Ripheart momentarily but Ripheart frees himself.
Head wants to stand and escape but Ripheart is having none of it.
Ripheart stands and throws Head's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Head is trying to control Ripheart's posture but Ripheart avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ripheart stands up.
Ripheart tries for a takedown but Head circles away easily

and Head counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Ripheart!
Ripheart wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Ripheart tries to hold on but Head pushes him away.
Ripheart really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Ripheart manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Nice strikes from Head there.
Ripheart tries to roll over but Head keeps him under control.
Ripheart is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ripheart on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Head 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.
Head is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Ripheart!
Ripheart working to try and regain half guard.
Head trying to control but Ripheart is having none of it.
Ripheart wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Head controlling the pace for now.

Head is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Ripheart has managed to escape the submission attempt.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Ripheart is looking to improve his position but Head isn't that keen on the idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Head lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Head sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Head lands a heavy elbow.
Head tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Head looking to control but Ripheart is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Head with a couple of short strikes.
Head working Ripheart over with strikes here.
Head can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Ripheart is looking to escape.
Head controlling his opponent.
Ripheart in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ripheart wants to control but Head is having none of it.
Ripheart can't escape the position.
Head sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Head has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Ripheart's face.
Ripheart really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Head can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Ripheart is looking to escape.
Ripheart regains half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ripheart is trying to stand back up but Head is controlling him
Head is taking a breather. Ripheart 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Randy Ripheart will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ripheart tries a head kick but it misses.

Ripheart has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ripheart wants a takedown but no success here.
Head looking to stall.
The is referee keeping an eye on Head - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Head is trying to break the clinch but Ripheart has him pressed against the cage.
Ripheart wants a takedown.
Head wants to get back to striking at distance but Ripheart won't allow it.

Ripheart is trying to trip Head. He has hold of a leg but Head is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Ripheart persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

Ripheart avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Ripheart wants to control from the top but Head keeps moving.
Ripheart pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Head is keeping the position for now.
Head trying to keep a closed guard but Ripheart is proving a slippery customer.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ripheart pushes down on Head's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ripheart is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Head flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Ripheart wants to stand up but Head is controlling the position.
Anthony Head overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Ripheart is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Head is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ripheart's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ripheart's back!
Head not allowing Ripheart to control his hands.
Ripheart tries to break free.
Despite being in a bad position, Ripheart is controlling the hands, preventing any submission attempts.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Head controlling the positon.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ripheart is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Head scores with strikes from the back.
You can see the frustration on Ripheart's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Head lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Ripheart hold on?!
Head is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Head is trying to stick to Ripheart's back but Ripheart is turning into Head. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Head's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Ripheart.
Ripheart pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Head is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ripheart scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Ripheart pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Head is keeping the position for now.
Ripheart must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ripheart trying to control the position from guard on top but Head is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ripheart preventing the sweep.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.

Ripheart has managed to clinch.
Ripheart is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Anthony Head has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Randy Ripheart.
Head goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ripheart prevents it.

Ripheart has picked Head up - he's going for a ride! Ripheart dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Ripheart thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Ripheart postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Head to stand up.
Head throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Ripheart counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Head is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Head fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ripheart looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Head is fending him off so far but Ripheart persists. Nope, Head circles away and we're back to standing.

Head instigates a clinch.
Head drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ripheart gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ripheart breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
No joy there for Head, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ripheart shoots in for a double leg but Head sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Head gets a takedown into half guard.
Ripheart keeping hold of Head's head, controlling as best he can.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Ripheart kicks off Head and gets to his feet.
Anthony Head is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ripheart shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Head counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Head.
Head wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ripheart has him pressed against the cage.
Ripheart is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Head gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Ripheart jumps guard and drags Head to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ripheart is trying to keep Head in close.
Head trying to control the position from guard on top but Ripheart is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Randy Ripheart showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Ripheart looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Head!
Ripheart pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Head is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Ripheart trying to control but Head is having none of it.
Ripheart lands a big shot there that rocks Head but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

Ripheart wants to finish this one by submission but Head is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Ripheart.
Head manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Ripheart lands strikes from half guard.
Ripheart takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ripheart tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Head.
Head gets full guard.
Head keeping moving, preventing Ripheart from controlling successfully.
Ripheart landing some decent shots from guard.
Head preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Ripheart postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Head is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Ripheart, into his guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Head's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Ripheart tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Head stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ripheart swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ripheart is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ripheart scores with a short punch from the bottom.
Ripheart tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ripheart trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Ripheart wants to sweep but no luck.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Head looks to clinch

and Ripheart counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Ripheart wants to get up but he can't break Head's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Ripheart trying to control but Head is working from the bottom.
Ripheart thows a big elbow that misses.
Ripheart controlling from the top position.
Ripheart trying to control the position from guard on top but Head is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ripheart preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ripheart looking to pass the guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Head wants to clinch

and Ripheart decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Head's guard.
Ripheart throwing strikes from guard but Head blocks nicely.
Ripheart postures up in Head's guard and throws a big left but Head blocks it.
Head is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ripheart is controlling him.
Ripheart chips away with some ground and pound.

Ripheart stands and steps away. Head gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Head throws a right and a left that both miss.
Head fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Head looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Ripheart is looking for a triangle but Head pushes his legs off easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Head wants to pass the guard but Ripheart is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ripheart scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Ripheart shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Ripheart showed some decent athleticism there.

Ripheart is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Head doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ripheart.
Head gets full guard.
Ripheart postures up.
Head wants to stand up but Ripheart is controlling him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Head trying to control the position.
Ripheart missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Randy Ripheart comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ripheart has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Randy Ripheart!