PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Koa Polunu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Manny Ribera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Manny Ribera has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Koa Polunu's chin.

Polunu
vs
Ribera

176 cm
24
164 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

180 cm
30
165 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Koa Polunu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Manny Ribera!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Hirohito Nitta and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jab, jab by Polunu - just one landing.
Ribera dips to his left and cracks Polunu with an uppercut!
Polunu misses with a body shot.

Polunu scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Polunu in side control, throwing shots but Ribera defends.
Polunu tries to advance to mount but Ribera denies him.
Ribera tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Polunu scores with a couple of short elbows.
Ribera is trying to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
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!
Polunu creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Ribera sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Ribera tries to bench press Polunu off him but Polunu keeps the position.
Polunu 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.
Ribera is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Ribera managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Polunu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ribera is looking to reverse the position.
Ribera is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Polunu asserts his dominance and retains side control.
A control attempt from Ribera but he's now mounted!
Ribera holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Polunu tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

Polunu is working for a guillotine from mount but Ribera frees his head quite easily.
Polunu throwing strikes here but Ribera is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Ribera is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Polunu prevents Ribera from getting the reversal.
Ribera wants to control but Polunu is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Polunu looking to ground and pound but Ribera is blocking nicely.
Polunu prevents Ribera from getting the reversal.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ribera holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Polunu tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Ribera is trying to escape the mount.
Polunu looking to finish with strikes here!
Ribera wants to control but Polunu is having none of it.
Polunu unloads with some shots from mount but Ribera bucks and avoids them well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Polunu unloads with some shots from mount but Ribera bucks and avoids them well.
Ribera keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Polunu throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Ribera because Polunu loaded up on that one.
Ribera tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Polunu unloads with some shots from mount but Ribera bucks and avoids them well.
Polunu looking to control but Ribera is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Ribera gets back to half guard.
Ribera tries to kick Polunu off but Polunu keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Polunu seems to be working for a kimura but Ribera defends the submission attempt.
Ribera wants to get back to his feet.
Ribera manages to get to full guard.
Ribera is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ribera working for submissions but it's allowed Polunu to get to half guard.
Polunu missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Polunu is trying to control. Ribera wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ribera is looking to get back to is feet but Polunu passes into side control.
Ribera is trying to get back to his feet.
Polunu 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.
You can see the frustration on Ribera's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Ribera dodges the ground and pound from Polunu.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Polunu sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Ribera is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Ribera is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Koa Polunu will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Polunu misses with a wild body shot.
Ribera throws a series of strikes that have Polunu backpedaling.
Polunu throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ribera's waist but Ribera gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Polunu off to one side.
Polunu lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Ribera throws a lazy uppercut
and Polunu counters with a slapping leg kick.
Polunu misses the shot to the body.
Polunu lands with a straight right. Ribera didn't see that one coming.
Polunu throws a head kick that Ribera semi-blocks.

It looks like Manny Ribera has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Polunu throws a nice inside leg kick.
Polunu misses with a body shot.
Koa Polunu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ribera closes the distance and clinches up with Polunu, looking for a takedown. Ribera pushes Polunu against the cage but Polunu circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ribera keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ribera misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ribera connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Polunu with a jab.
Polunu misses with a body shot.
Ribera misses with a body shot.
Polunu lunges at Ribera with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Ribera's hand.
Good leg kick by Polunu there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Polunu misses with a looping right.
Polunu's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Ribera connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Polunu scrambles back to his feet.
Ribera throws a series of strikes that have Polunu backpedaling.
Ribera tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Koa Polunu is winning the standup battle so far.
Ribera rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Polunu moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Polunu throws a push kick but Ribera slaps the foot to one side.
Jab, jab by Polunu - just one landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Polunu finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Ribera takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Polunu staying out of range there.
Ribera looks to score with a jab to the body but Polunu is just out of range.
Polunu takes a swing at Ribera's ribcage but misses.
Ribera misses with an uppercut. Polunu saw that one coming.
Ribera throws a jab when Polunu was well out of range.
Polunu throws a jab when Ribera was well out of range.
Polunu slips a straight right by Ribera.
Polunu fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Ribera looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Ribera takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Ribera swings and misses with a hook to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Polunu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ribera connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Polunu's hands.
Manny Ribera is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Polunu throws a lazy uppercut
and Ribera counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Polunu stuffs the takedown.
Ribera throws a lazy uppercut
and Polunu counters with a straight right hand.
Polunu misses with an uppercut. Ribera saw that one coming.
Polunu avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Polunu misses with a wild body shot.
Polunu jabs Ribera right on the nose. Ribera blinks but takes it well.
Ribera fails to land the takedown.
Koa Polunu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manny Ribera.
Polunu throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ribera stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Ribera avoids the body shot from Polunu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Polunu with a jab.
Jab by Polunu.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Polunu turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Ribera on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

Polunu drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Polunu trying to control but Ribera is working from the bottom.
Ribera preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Polunu working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Polunu trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ribera scores with a short punch from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Ribera looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Ribera is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Ribera throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Koa Polunu dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Manny Ribera's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Ribera throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ribera throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Polunu takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Polunu wants to slow Ribera down by chopping away at his legs.
Polunu misses with an uppercut. Ribera saw that one coming.
Polunu throws a nice outside leg kick.
Polunu feints and then cracks Ribera's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ribera down.
Ribera swinging wildly here.
Ribera throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
An inside leg kick lands from Polunu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Polunu fails to land the takedown.

Polunu fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Ribera sprawls well initially but Polunu persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Polunu trying to control from half guard but Ribera is working away.
Polunu is really struggling to control Ribera but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Polunu prevents Ribera from improving his position.
Polunu not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Koa Polunu overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ribera blocking the ground and pound attempt from Polunu.
Ribera is not content to let Polunu control the position.

Ribera is defending against the submission attempts here by Polunu.
Ribera wants to get back to full guard but Polunu has passed into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ribera is looking for a sweep.
Polunu looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Ribera is avoiding damage well.
Ribera is trying to work for a sweep but Polunu has mounted him!
Ribera wants to try and get back to his feet.
Manny Ribera has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ribera flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Polunu throwing strikes here but Ribera is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Polunu sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Ribera holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Polunu tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

Polunu looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Polunu throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Polunu looking for a guillotine from mount but Ribera is having none of it.
Ribera wants to hold on but Polunu pushes him away.
Polunu thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Ribera really wants to buck Polunu off and get back to his feet.
Polunu prevents Ribera from getting the reversal.
Ribera is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Ribera avoids a series of strikes thrown by Polunu.
Ribera working to try and regain half guard.
Ribera takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Koa Polunu is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Poor strikes thrown by Polunu there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Polunu punching from mount but Ribera doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Ribera is working to get back to half guard.
Ribera avoids a series of strikes thrown by Polunu.
Ribera is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Polunu thowing shots but they're missing.
Polunu tries to control but Ribera wriggling away.
Ribera swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Polunu thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Polunu misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Polunu thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Polunu throws some wild stikes that Ribera manages to avoid easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Koa Polunu showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Polunu has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Koa Polunu!
Koa Polunu decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.