PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jon James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rico Riccio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

James
vs
Riccio

175 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

177 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Prefers standup

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jon James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Rico Riccio!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Riccio ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
James takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Riccio darts in and clinches James up against the cage.
Riccio connects with a nasty looking knee right to James's face.
A knee to the head by Riccio.
James working hard to break the clinch.
James is trying to force a seperation but Riccio has the dominant position.
Riccio gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Riccio lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Riccio will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning James up against the cage.
James is trying to break the clinch but Riccio is controlling him.
Riccio lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Riccio just leaning against James, taking a breather.
Riccio lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nice elbow from Riccio.
James wants to break free but Riccio has control.
Knees to the body from Riccio.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Riccio lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Riccio utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
James can't break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riccio lands an elbow inside that James shrugs off.
Riccio lands an elbow just above James 's eye.
James tries to circle away but Riccio has him pinned against the cage.
Riccio lands an elbow inside that James shrugs off.
Riccio is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Riccio lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Riccio with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Riccio stalling against the cage.
Riccio lands a nice elbow.
Riccio gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Stalling in the clinch from Riccio.
James can't break the clinch.
Riccio just leaning against James, taking a breather.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Riccio.
James takes a knee right on the jaw!
James being controlled against the cage.
Riccio prevents James from breaking the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riccio landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
James looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Riccio lands a damaging elbow.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Riccio.
Riccio slowing the pace effectively.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Riccio lands a damaging elbow.
Riccio has James pressed against the cage, preventing James from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
James has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Riccio lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Riccio lands a nice elbow.
Riccio content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Riccio lands an elbow that stopped James in his tracks for a moment.
James is trying to push Riccio away but Riccio has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Riccio lands a damaging elbow.
Riccio landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Riccio lands an elbow that stopped James in his tracks for a moment.
James is trying to push Riccio away but Riccio has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Riccio stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Riccio looks gassed!
James wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riccio connects with a nasty looking knee right to James's face.
James takes a knee to the side of the body.
James takes an elbow to the forehead.
Riccio lands an elbow inside that James shrugs off.
James is trying to force a seperation but Riccio has the dominant position.
James wants to get back to striking at distance but Riccio won't allow it.
Knees to the body from Riccio.
Riccio scores with a knee to the head.
Riccio lands an elbow just above James 's eye.
James takes an elbow to the temple.
Riccio landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Riccio is stalling here.
Riccio lands an elbow just above James 's eye.
Riccio lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Riccio with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
James blocks the elbow strike.
Riccio lands an elbow just above James 's eye.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riccio lands an elbow that stopped James in his tracks for a moment.
Riccio is struggling to control the position.
James wants to break the clinch but can't.
Riccio lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Riccio lands a knee to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
James is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
James jumps guard but Riccio stands there with James around his waist. James gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Riccio lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Riccio leaning his opponent against the cage.
James wants to get back to striking at distance but Riccio won't allow it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Riccio lands a damaging elbow.
James is trying to break the clinch but Riccio is controlling him.
Riccio lands a knee to the head.
James looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rico Riccio dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

James lands a lovely overhand right.
James avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
James throws a right hand that misses

and Riccio counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Riccio.
Nice elbow from Riccio.
James takes an elbow to the temple.
Riccio gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
James is trying to force a seperation but Riccio has the dominant position.
James wants to break free but Riccio has control.
James is trying to drag Riccio to the mat but Riccio just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Riccio is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Riccio gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Riccio comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Riccio lands a nice elbow.
Riccio slowing the pace effectively.
Riccio lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Riccio's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Rico Riccio seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riccio lands a damaging elbow.
James takes an elbow to the forehead.
Riccio scores with a knee to the head.
Riccio is breathing heavily.
The referee calls for Riccio to work.
James can't break the clinch.
Riccio creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through James's defenses.
James can't break the clinch.
Nice elbow from Riccio.
Riccio slows down the pace here.
Riccio lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Riccio prevents the takedown attempt.
James is trying to force a seperation but Riccio has the dominant position.
Riccio unloads a knee to the mid-section. James lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
James looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riccio stalls.
Riccio lands an elbow inside.
A frustrated look appears on James's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Riccio is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Riccio lands an elbow that stopped James in his tracks for a moment.
James wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Riccio has him pressed against the cage.
Riccio putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has James in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Riccio content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Nice elbow from Riccio.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Riccio stalling the fight.
Nice elbow from Riccio.
Riccio is struggling to control the position.
Riccio lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Riccio scores a nice knee to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riccio gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from James.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jon James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Riccio lands an elbow inside.
James tries to circle away but Riccio has him pinned against the cage.
Riccio lands a damaging elbow.
Riccio lands an elbow inside that James shrugs off.
James working hard to break the clinch.
Riccio lands a damaging elbow.
James tries to break free but Riccio pushes him back against the cage.
James is looking to break free of the clinch but Riccio has double underhooks.
Riccio with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Riccio lands an elbow inside that James shrugs off.
Riccio lands a knee to the head.
Riccio landing knees to the body.
Riccio lands an elbow inside that James shrugs off.
James is trying to force a seperation but Riccio has the dominant position.
Riccio lands an elbow just above James 's eye.
Riccio stalling against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riccio prevents James from breaking the clinch.
Riccio working James over with knees to the body.
Riccio unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Riccio utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Riccio with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
James tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Riccio lands an elbow inside.
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!
Riccio controlling the action here for a moment.
James wants to get back to striking at distance but Riccio won't allow it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Riccio has James pressed against the cage, preventing James from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
James takes an elbow to the forehead.
James is trying to push Riccio away but Riccio has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
James wants to break free but Riccio has control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rico Riccio showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Sloppy strikes from James. Those never looked like landing.
James throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

James gets tackled into the cage by Riccio. Riccio maintains the clinch.
James has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Riccio avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Riccio.
Riccio comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Riccio connects with a nasty looking knee right to James's face.
Nice elbow from Riccio.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Riccio.
Riccio lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Riccio lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Riccio has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
James wants to break free but Riccio has control.
Riccio keeps control of James as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Riccio manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
James takes an elbow to the forehead.
James tries to break free but Riccio pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Riccio lands an elbow inside that James shrugs off.
Riccio is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Riccio lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Riccio scores with a knee to the head.
James is trying to force a seperation but Riccio has the dominant position.
Riccio is struggling to control the position.
Riccio prevents James from breaking the clinch.
James takes an elbow to the forehead.
Riccio comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Riccio lands an elbow that stopped James in his tracks for a moment.
Riccio keeps control of James as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Riccio controlling the action here for a moment.
Riccio has James pressed against the cage, preventing James from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Riccio lands an elbow inside that James shrugs off.
Rico Riccio is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riccio gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
James looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Riccio keeps control of James as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
James is looking to break free of the clinch but Riccio has double underhooks.
James looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A knee to the head by Riccio.
James takes an elbow to the forehead.
James takes an elbow to the temple.
Riccio lands a damaging elbow.
Riccio scores with a knee to the head.

James is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Knees to the body from Riccio.
Oh James is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
James is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Riccio fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Riccio takes the fight into the clinch.
Riccio lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
James tries to break free but Riccio pushes him back against the cage.
Riccio lands a nice elbow.
James can't break the clinch.
Nice elbow from Riccio.
James wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Riccio has him pressed against the cage.
Riccio lands a knee to the body.
James tries to circle away but Riccio has him pinned against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Riccio.
James tries to break free but Riccio pushes him back against the cage.
Riccio lands a damaging elbow.
James is looking to break free of the clinch but Riccio has double underhooks.
Riccio gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Riccio lands an elbow inside that James shrugs off.
James tries to break free but Riccio pushes him back against the cage.
James is trying to push Riccio away but Riccio has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riccio scores a nice knee to the body.
Riccio keeps the fight in the clinch, despite James's efforts to push away.
James fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jon James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Riccio is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
James is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Riccio gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Come on Riccio - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
James can't break the clinch.
Riccio lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Riccio controlling the action here for a moment.
Riccio connects with a knee to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
James wants to get back to striking at distance but Riccio won't allow it.
James is trying to break free.
Riccio lands an elbow just above James 's eye.
Jon James has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
James tries to circle away but Riccio has him pinned against the cage.
Riccio lands an elbow that stopped James in his tracks for a moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rico Riccio comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Riccio winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rico Riccio!