PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Howard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mr Ripley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Howard's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Manafest - Fire In The Kitchen. Ripley has chosen The Talented Mr. Ripley - Tu Vuo' Fa l'Americano as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Howard
vs
Ripley

185 cm
36
247 lbs
27 - 16 - 0

190 cm
36
263 lbs
16 - 24 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Sex Panther Supplements!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, John Howard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 24 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mr Ripley!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ripley misses with a two punch combination.
Ripley misses with a series of wild punches.
Howard shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ripley as he avoids it easily.
Ripley shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Howard pinned against the cage. Howard gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Howard tries to clinch there but Ripley circles away.
Howard tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ripley swivels and escapes.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Ripley lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Howard circles away quickly and effectively.

Ripley tries to sprawl but Howard drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Howard winds up and cracks Ripley with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Howard throwing shots but Ripley is blocking nicely.
Howard not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ripley regains full guard. Nicely done.
Howard postures up in Ripley's guard and throws a big left but Ripley blocks it.
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!
Howard throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ripley works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Howard chips away with some ground and pound.
Ripley is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howard working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Howard with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Ripley wants to stand but Howard is controlling the position.
Howard postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Howard throws a strike but Ripley rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Ripley stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Howard swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Howard is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Ripley stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howard shoots in looking for a takedown. Ripley tries to sprawl out of it but Howard keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ripley manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Howard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice defenses there by Howard.

Ripley shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Howard is trying to defend but Ripley finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Howard wants to get back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ripley lands with a punch from half guard.

Ripley seems to be looking for submissions.

Ripley seems to be working for a kimura but Howard defends the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ripley slips a nice elbow through Howard's hands, connecting with Howard's forehead.
Ripley trying to control the action but Howard is working from the bottom.

Ripley is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Howard sees it coming and defends easily.
Howard is trying to stand.
Ripley is just content to waste time from the top position. Howard takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

Howard uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ripley throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Howard tries to clinch but Ripley moves out of range.

Howard gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Howard wants to take the fight to the mat but Ripley manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Howard stops a takedown attempt from Ripley.

Howard has Ripley pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Howard pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Ripley tumbling to the mat - Howard dives into Ripley's guard.
Howard throws a strike but Ripley rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Ripley trying to control the position from guard on top but Howard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mr Ripley will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

No luck with that takedown attempt from Howard.
Howard blocks the body kick.

Howard shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Howard missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ripley is trying to stand back up but Howard is controlling him
Howard is nestled in close to Ripley, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Ripley looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Howard seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Howard working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Howard is nestled in close to Ripley, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howard missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Howard throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Ripley to regain full guard.
Howard scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Howard is working Ripley over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Howard trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Ripley looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Howard is looking to work some ground and pound but Ripley has wrist control.
Howard throws a big right hand that misses.

Ripley is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Howard stands up over Ripley, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ripley wants to stand up but Howard is controlling him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Howard working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Howard working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Howard throwing strikes from guard but Ripley blocks nicely.
Howard is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Ripley throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Howard with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Howard with a nice head shot there.
Howard trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Ripley had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Howard defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howard passes Ripley's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Howard thows a huge punch but Ripley dodges it nicely.
Howard with the ground and pound but Ripley uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Ripley preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
John Howard overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Howard throwing strikes but missing.
Howard throws an elbow that misses. Ripley uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Howard's guard. Nice move by Ripley!

Ripley postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Howard is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Ripley, into his guard.
Howard working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howard throws a big elbow that misses.
Howard working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Howard throws a big right hand that misses.

Ripley is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Howard defends well.

Ripley is looking for a triangle but Howard pushes his legs off easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Howard connects with a couple of short punches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Howard throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ripley works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Howard dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ripley throws a series of punches but Howard moves out of range.
Howard fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ripley avoids it really well and circles away.
Ripley misses with a few strikes there.
Ripley misses with a jab, cross combination.
Howard misses with a hook.

Ripley has closed the distance and engaged Howard in a clinch.
Ripley jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Howard walks away with a smile on his face. Ripley gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Ripley will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A head kick misses from Ripley.
Howard throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice jab there from Ripley.
Howard shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ripley as he avoids it easily.
Ripley fails with an attempt to clinch.

Howard closes the distance and clinches.
Howard tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Howard. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Howard is fighting off a takedown attempt but Ripley is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Howard to the mat. Howard regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ripley prevents Howard from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ripley forces his way into half guard.

Ripley is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Howard defends it well.
Ripley takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Ripley wants to work for an arm triangle but Howard is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Howard is trying to stand back up but Ripley is controlling him
Ripley sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Howard defending well though.
Ripley working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Howard's thigh. Howard counters though and makes it back to full guard.

Howard pushes Ripley off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ripley dives in for a single leg takedown but Howard sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Howard lands a takedown into guard.
Howard makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Ripley looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Howard avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Howard working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howard stands up over Ripley, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Howard cracks Ripley with a solid left hand.
Howard makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Howard missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Howard throws an elbow that misses. Ripley uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Howard's guard. Nice move by Ripley!
Ripley won't allow Howard to get back to his feet.
Ripley postures up and lands a big shot to Howard's brow.
Howard is looking to stand up but Ripley isn't so interested in that idea.
Ripley trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ripley content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Ripley trying to control but Howard is working from the bottom.
Howard avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ripley trying to control but Howard is working from the bottom.
Howard wants to stand up but Ripley is controlling him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ripley wants to pass the guard but Howard is keeping the position.
Ripley throwing strikes from guard but Howard blocks nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mr Ripley.
I think Ripley has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... John Howard!
John Howard gave a mention to Sex Panther Supplements! in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).