PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bartholomew Kuma (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Ricci (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kuma
vs
Ricci

213 cm
23
289 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
23
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bartholomew Kuma!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mike Ricci!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Gwen Towbar and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ricci is looking to score with low kicks.
Kuma lands a high kick!
Ricci cracks Kuma with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

It looks like Bartholomew Kuma has been cut.

Ricci closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Ricci wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kuma, who protects the arm well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ricci taking a breather here.
Kuma is trying to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ricci in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Kuma is trying to improve his position.

Ricci is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kuma is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Ricci grinds an elbow into Kuma's temple.
Ricci throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ricci throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Ricci has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ricci in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Ricci misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Kuma defending against the ground and pound.

Ricci wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kuma, who protects the arm well.
Kuma parries the strikes from Ricci easily there. Ricci is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Kuma to escape.
Ricci controls the position.

Ricci decides to stand back up. Ricci steps back and let's Kuma get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuma throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Ricci shoots in for a double leg but Kuma sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ricci looks gassed!
Ricci takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Kuma delivers a nice body kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuma is looking to slow Ricci down with leg kicks.
Kuma throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Ricci's head.
Kuma scores with a spinning back kick!
Kuma lands with a nice body kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kuma.
Bartholomew Kuma is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kuma throws a head kick that half lands.
Ricci on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kuma. Kuma obviously looking to wear him down.
Kuma goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Kuma fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ricci.
Kuma scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuma turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kuma bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Kuma scores with a leg kick.
Kuma throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kuma throws a leg kick which misses Ricci's front leg but catches the back leg as Ricci tries to avoid it.
Kuma fakes the leg kick and cracks Ricci in the body.

Ricci closes the distance and clinches.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Ricci as Kuma tries to tie him up.
Kuma tries to pull guard but Ricci won't allow it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ricci is trying to break the clinch but Kuma is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bartholomew Kuma dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bartholomew Kuma's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A leg kick checked by Ricci.
Kuma lands with a kick to the ribs.
Kuma throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Ricci.
Ricci shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kuma defends it nicely.
Mike Ricci seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Good leg kick by Kuma there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kuma throws a front kick that sends Ricci stumbling back into the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kuma lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kuma lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Kuma.
Kuma throws a head kick that Ricci semi-blocks.
Ricci takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kuma chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kuma moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kuma.
Ricci with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kuma counters with a nice kick to the body.
Good leg kick by Kuma there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kuma lets loose with a powerful body kick. Ricci will feel that in the morning.
Bartholomew Kuma is winning the standup battle so far.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Kuma.
Ricci takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Kuma lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kuma lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kuma lands with a slapping head kick.
Ricci has a takedown stuffed.
Bartholomew Kuma has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Ricci.
Ricci tries to clinch but Kuma moves out of range.
Kuma scores with a head kick. Ricci tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ricci throws a hook to the side of Kuma's head but Kuma sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ricci throws a nice looking combination but Kuma bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kuma turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kuma stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kuma wants it to stay on the feet.
Mike Ricci is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ricci is looking to clinch.
Kuma turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kuma chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kuma throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kuma.
Ricci changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kuma tries to avoid it but Ricci manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kuma to the ground. Kuma escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kuma connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Ricci.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuma is not content to let Ricci control the position.
Kuma has one of Ricci's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
Kuma is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ricci can do to turn this around?
Ricci throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Kuma on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kuma tries to get out of the position.

That's four 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.
Kuma is trying to improve his position.
Ricci misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Kuma avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Ricci.
An elbow from Ricci crashes against the mat.
Kuma parries the strikes from Ricci easily there. Ricci is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Kuma to escape.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ricci trying to control the position but Kuma is working away.
Ricci sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Kuma is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bartholomew Kuma dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Bartholomew Kuma's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Ricci shoots in for a double leg but Kuma sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ricci's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Ricci tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A head kick from Kuma lands but Ricci takes it in his stride.

It looks like Mike Ricci has been cut.
Ricci fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kuma connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuma feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ricci's calf.
Kuma thumps Ricci with a low kick.
Ricci is looking to chop away at Kuma's legs.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kuma, right into the meat.
Ricci misses with a leg kick
and Kuma counters with a nice body kick.
Kuma fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kuma lands a leg kick that knocks Ricci off balance momentarily.
A head kick from Kuma lands but Ricci takes it in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuma connects with an inside leg kick.
Ricci has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Kuma.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kuma, right into the meat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kuma with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kuma turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kuma lands a head kick!
Kuma lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ricci's sensitive parts.
Kuma pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kuma fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Ricci is out of range.
Ricci throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kuma circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kuma cracks the inside of Ricci's front leg.
A punch combination from Ricci misses.
Bartholomew Kuma is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuma connects with a leg kick. Ricci looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Kuma connects with a solid leg kick.
Kuma defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ricci.
Bartholomew Kuma has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Ricci.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kuma turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kuma moves out of range as Ricci throws a body kick.
Ricci looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ricci on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kuma. Kuma obviously looking to wear him down.
Kuma throws a nice outside leg kick.
Ricci blocks a leg kick.

Ricci closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Kuma quickly recovers to half guard.
Kuma is refusing to be controlled, as Ricci sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ricci frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Ricci wants to control the pace but Kuma is squirming around nicely.
Ricci throwing strikes but Kuma recovers to half guard. A much better position.
Ricci missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ricci trying to pass the guard but Kuma defending well.
Ricci stalling.
Ricci wants to control but Kuma is keeping him busy.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Mike Ricci.
Kuma connects with an inside leg kick.
Mike Ricci has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ricci throws a jab but it's blocked by Kuma.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bartholomew Kuma showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kuma, 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 George Francis scores the fight for Bartholomew Kuma!
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight for Bartholomew Kuma!
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight for Bartholomew Kuma!

Bartholomew Kuma wins by unanimous decision!