PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Vinny Ricco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bobo James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bobo James told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Ricco
vs
James

181 cm
21
163 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

177 cm
21
160 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vinny Ricco!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bobo James!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Robert Twigg and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James darts in trying to clinch
and Ricco counters with a stiff right hand.
James misses with a lunging right hand
and Ricco counters with a one-two to the body.
A clash of legs there as Ricco blocks the low kick.
Ricco fails to land with a series of punches.
James takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
James connects with a crisp jab.
James with a lazy takedown attempt
and Ricco cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ricco fails to land the takedown.

James has managed to clinch.
James gets underhooks to prevent Ricco's takedown attempt.
James is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Ricco has James pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

James escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ricco moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
James throws an off balance right hand
and Ricco counters with a straight right hand.
Ricco on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by James. James obviously looking to wear him down.
James wants to clinch
and Ricco connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
James tries to clinch there but Ricco circles away.
Ricco keeps the fight on the outside.

James gets the takedown into side control.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Ricco wants to get back to his feet but James drags him back down.

James is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ricco is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Ricco is looking to regain half guard here but James keeps moving and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
James tries to score with some ground and pound. Ricco controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

James is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Ricco has escaped the position, nice work there.
Ricco tries to buck James off but James is having none of it.
James wants to control but Ricco is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

James decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Ricco looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? James is fending him off so far but Ricco persists. Nope, James circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vinny Ricco. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ricco misses with a few strikes there.
Ricco lands with a nice combination. James backs away looking to recover.

James closes the distance and pushes Ricco back into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Ricco wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but James has him pressed against the cage.
Ricco working hard to break the clinch.
Ricco is defending well against a takedown attempt.
James has Ricco pressed against the cage.

James breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ricco shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts James as he jumps to the side.
James connects with a nice looking jab.
Ricco lands a nice shot that snaps James's head back.
Ricco closes this distance looking for a takedown but James circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ricco.
James fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
James changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ricco tries to avoid it but James manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ricco to the ground. Ricco escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
James misses with a body punch
and Ricco counters with a series of strikes. James will be more careful next time no doubt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
James shoots in and drives through. Ricco sprawls well.
Ricco fails with a takedown attempt.
Some wild striking there from Ricco.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
James throws an off balance right hand
and Ricco counters with a one-two to the body.

James drives through with a takedown into Ricco's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Ricco is breathing heavily.
James wants to control from the top but Ricco keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ricco fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
James dives in and grabs Ricco's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ricco pushes down on James's head and hops out.
Ricco lands with a cross.
James tries to clinch but Ricco moves out of range.

Ricco darts in and clinches James up against the cage.
Ricco is trying to break the clinch but James has him pressed against the cage.
James throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ricco blocks it with crossed arms.
Ricco manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
James jumps guard but Ricco stands there with James around his waist. James gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
James prevents Ricco from breaking the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ricco tries to break free but James pushes him back against the cage.
James throws a knee to the head but misses.
James doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ricco is looking to break free of the clinch but James has double underhooks.
Ricco working hard to break the clinch.
Ricco avoiding damage as James throws knees to the body.
James misses with a body punch.
Ricco blocks the elbow strike.
A frustrated look appears on Ricco's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Ricco lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of James backwards.

James breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ricco misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Ricco misses.
James with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ricco misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
James misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Vinny Ricco has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bobo James.
Ricco blocks a jab.
James shoots for a takedown but Ricco saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ricco misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
James keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
James tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ricco swats him away and circles back towards the center.
James fails with a takedown attempt.
Ricco bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Ricco lands an impressive looking overhand right. James doesn't seem phased though.
Ricco looks to land a combination. James sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
James tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ricco swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ricco throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
James tries to clinch but Ricco moves out of range.

James fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Ricco sprawls well initially but James persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
James wants to take a breather but Ricco is having none of it.

James is trying to work for a kimura but Ricco is defending well.

James seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Ricco has recovered full guard.
Ricco is looking to stand up but James isn't so interested in that idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ricco swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ricco manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ricco thowing shots but they're missing.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ricco avoids the attempt from James to control.
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 Vinny Ricco will probably get the nod.
That's time! Ricco's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

James misses with a right hand
and Ricco counters with a one-two to the body.
James shoots in for a takedown but Ricco shows good takedown defense.
James tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ricco sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten James somewhat.
Ricco stuffs the takedown attempt from James. James gets slowly back to his feet.
Vinny Ricco has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bobo James.
James is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ricco sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
James wants to clinch
and Ricco counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
James tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Ricco is able to avoid easily.
James takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
James shoots in for a takedown but Ricco shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ricco lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
James rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and James takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James closes the distance but Ricco moves to the side

and Ricco moves into the clinch.
Ricco has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by James after a bit of a struggle.
Ricco is trying to drag James to the mat but James just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
James tries to pull guard but Ricco forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Ricco is trying to break free.
James lands a nice elbow.
James pushes Ricco back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
James misses with a hook from the clinch.
James jumps guard but Ricco turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Ricco is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ricco pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A right-left combo lands from Ricco.
James tries to clinch up but Ricco circles away and keeps his distance.
James looks for a takedown but Ricco sprawls well.
Ricco shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. James eats them both and turns towards Ricco to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

James moves into range and clinches up with Ricco.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

James escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ricco throws a nice looking combination but James bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
James tries to clinch up but Ricco circles away and keeps his distance.
James throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
James takes one on the button.

James shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Ricco napping and manages to drive through into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ricco regains half guard.
Ricco wants to get back to full guard.

Ricco kicks James off and gets back to his feet.

Ricco instigates a clinch.
James tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ricco can't break the clinch.
James working aggressively here.
Ricco wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
James doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
James lands with a short head shot on the inside.

James breaks from the clinch.
James moves in looking to clinch but Ricco pushes him off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ricco circles away from the clinch attempt
and Ricco counters with a stiff right hand.
James has a takedown stuffed.
James throws a jab when Ricco was well out of range.
James looks to land a combination but Ricco avoids it well.
James has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Ricco looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
James takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ricco jabs at James's body.
James shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
James tries to clinch but Ricco is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Vinny Ricco.
I think Ricco 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vinny Ricco!
A less than humble Vinny Ricco misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.