PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Lorenzo Ribeiro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Damian Strong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ribeiro
vs
Strong

176 cm
22
166 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

182 cm
23
164 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter striker
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Lorenzo Ribeiro!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Damian Strong!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Colin Fotheringham and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Strong listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Ribeiro fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Strong lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Ribeiro shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Strong but Strong pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That kick from Strong tenderised Ribeiro's leg. Ribeiro is trying to keep his angry face on.
Strong fails to land with a series of punches.
Ribeiro looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Strong is fending him off so far but Ribeiro persists. Nope, Strong circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lorenzo Ribeiro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ribeiro walks into a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ribeiro's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Strong connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Ribeiro scrambles back to his feet.
Ribeiro misses with a body shot.
Ribeiro tries for a takedown but Strong sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ribeiro shoots in for a double leg but Strong sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Strong lets loose with a powerful body kick. Ribeiro will feel that in the morning.
A solid body kick from Strong.
Damian Strong is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Strong defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ribeiro.
Ribeiro looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Strong is fending him off so far but Ribeiro persists. Nope, Strong circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Ribeiro misses its intended target.
Ribeiro shoots for a double leg takedown but Strong sprawls well. He's pushed Ribeiro's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Ribeiro closes the distance and clinches up with Strong, looking for a takedown. Ribeiro pushes Strong against the cage but Strong circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Strong!
Ribeiro is trying hard to land a takedown here. Strong sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Strong will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Lorenzo Ribeiro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Strong moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strong feints a jab promting Ribeiro to slip. Strong then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Ribeiro slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Ribeiro shoots in for a takedown but Strong shows good takedown defense.
No luck for Ribeiro with that takedown attempt.

Strong tries to keep at a distance but Ribeiro has taken the fight into the clinch.
Strong can't break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Strong escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Strong scores with a nice body kick.
Strong throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Strong misses with a few strikes there.
Ribeiro looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ribeiro is trying hard to land a takedown here. Strong sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Damian Strong dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Strong motions for Ribeiro to come forward. Strong throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ribeiro closes the distance and clinches up with Strong, looking for a takedown. Ribeiro pushes Strong against the cage but Strong circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ribeiro tries to clinch but Strong is having none of it.
Damian Strong is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Ribeiro shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Strong is not content to let Ribeiro control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ribeiro thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ribeiro thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Strong's head.
Strong pushes Ribeiro off looking to stand but Ribeiro dives back in and keeps control.
Ribeiro missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Ribeiro thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ribeiro sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Strong defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Lorenzo Ribeiro just wasn't active enough.
Ribeiro throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Strong's waist but Strong gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ribeiro off to one side.
Strong looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ribeiro takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Strong looks to land a combination but Ribeiro avoids it well.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Strong lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Ribeiro has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Ribeiro and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Ribeiro fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lorenzo Ribeiro. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strong swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ribeiro fails with the takedown.
Strong misses with a series of wild punches.
Ribeiro looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ribeiro shoots and misses
and Strong counters with a three punch combo that has Ribeiro backing up. Ribeiro nods at Strong to acknowledge the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lorenzo Ribeiro dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ribeiro on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Ribeiro takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Strong lands a two punch combo.
Strong scores with a jab. Ribeiro acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Strong lands a glancing blow to the side of Ribeiro's head.
Strong stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Strong wants it to stay on the feet.
Ribeiro is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Strong.
Strong keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strong misses with a head kick.
Ribeiro looks for a takedown but Strong sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lorenzo Ribeiro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Strong misses with a head kick.

Ribeiro closes the distance and clinches.
Strong is trying to force a seperation but Ribeiro has the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strong wants to get back to striking at distance but Ribeiro won't allow it.
Ribeiro jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Strong walks away with a smile on his face. Ribeiro gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Strong tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ribeiro is looking to clinch but Strong is avoiding it.
Ribeiro shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Strong as he avoids it easily.
Ribeiro fails to land the takedown.
Strong scoring well with a low kick there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strong connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ribeiro tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Strong manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ribeiro shoots in for a takedown but Strong shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Strong misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Strong throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ribeiro shoots in for a takedown but Strong shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Strong misses with a double jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Strong as he jumps to the side.
Ribeiro throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Strong throws a body kick that misses.
Strong swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ribeiro is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Strong throws a right and a left that Ribeiro avoids nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Damian Strong really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ribeiro tries for a takedown but Strong sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ribeiro throws a shot from downtown. Strong moves away and avoids it.
No luck for Ribeiro with that takedown attempt.
Strong throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ribeiro clinches up against the cage.
Ribeiro fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lorenzo Ribeiro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Strong has had enough of the clinch but Ribeiro keeps him there for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strong can't break the clinch.
Strong is trying to force a seperation but Ribeiro has the dominant position.
Strong can't break the clinch.
Ribeiro tries to pull guard but Strong holds him up against the cage and eventually Ribeiro drops back down to his feet.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Strong working hard to break the clinch.
Strong has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Strong wants to break free but Ribeiro has control.

Ribeiro jumps guard and drags Strong to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Strong wanted to stand there but Ribeiro had control of the position.

Strong stands up and waves to Ribeiro to follow him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Strong tries to sprawl but Ribeiro drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Ribeiro thows a huge punch but Strong dodges it nicely.
Ribeiro is taking a breather. Strong 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.
Ribeiro lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Ribeiro moves nicely into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Strong tries to escape but Ribeiro is in control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro taking a breather here.
Ribeiro tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Ribeiro connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Strong some visible discomfort.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lorenzo Ribeiro had his way with Damian Strong in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Ribeiro shoots in and drives through. Strong sprawls well.
Ribeiro misses with a wild body shot.
Strong lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Ribeiro looks for a takedown but Strong sprawls well.
Strong keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lorenzo Ribeiro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ribeiro tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Strong swivels and escapes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Strong darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Ribeiro misses with a jab to the body
and Strong counters with a nice leg kick.
Strong goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Ribeiro tries for a takedown but Strong sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Strong misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ribeiro throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ribeiro is looking to wear down Strong with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Strong misses with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strong digs a good body shot into Ribeiro's ribs.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ribeiro is defended easily by Strong.
Strong misses with a kick to the body.
Damian Strong seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ribeiro doesn't manage to clinch there - Strong circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro dodges the punch combination from Strong.

Ribeiro scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Ribeiro 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.
Ribeiro in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Ribeiro throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Ribeiro wants to lay and pray for a moment but Strong keeps working.
Lorenzo Ribeiro overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sloppy strikes there by Ribeiro.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro misses with the ground and pound.
Ribeiro throwing strikes but Strong manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!

Ribeiro throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Strong tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Ribeiro is able to avoid easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lorenzo Ribeiro showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ribeiro has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Glass scores the fight 48:47
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 48:47
Judge William Gold scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lorenzo Ribeiro!
Lorenzo Ribeiro is the new lightweight champion!