PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Horace Head (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carl Riding (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.

Head
vs
Riding

203 cm
23
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
24
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Hates pizza

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Horace Head!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Carl Riding!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Colin Fotheringham and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Riding rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Head moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Riding throws a left and a right that both miss

and Head counters with a single leg into guard. Riding didn't expect that.

Riding is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Head will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Riding looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Riding pulls Head in close to his closed guard and prevents Head from doing any damage or advancing position.

Riding has his foot on Head's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Head works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Head decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Riding, up you get!
Riding misses with a series of wild punches.
Horrible takedown by Riding or perhaps it was just good defense by Head which made him look bad.
Carl Riding seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Riding lands a lovely overhand right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Riding feints and as Head raises his hands in defense, Riding changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Riding is looking to work some ground and pound but Head has wrist control.
Riding looking to pass the guard.
Head wants to stand and escape but Riding is having none of it.

Head is working an open guard so Riding takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riding ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Head moves away.
Riding throws a leg kick but Head sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Riding throws a series of punches but Head moves out of range.
Riding misses with a few strikes there.
Riding swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Riding misses with a series of wild punches.
Riding throws a right hand that Head ducks under and follows up with a left that Head also avoids with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riding tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Head was well out of range. Poor timing from Riding.
Riding is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Head.
Riding lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
No luck for Riding with that takedown attempt.
Riding looks winded!
Riding misses with a wild combination.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Riding looks to land a combination but Head avoids it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carl Riding dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Riding throws a series of punches but Head moves out of range.
Head takes one to the chin there.
Riding fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Head blocks a jab.
Riding fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Head manages to avoid it.
Horace Head is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Riding misses with a double jab

and Head counters with a shoot takedown. Riding fights it but they end up in guard.

Riding is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Head is aware though and is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riding wants to get back to his feet but Head is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Head wants to stand but Riding has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Horace Head.
Riding rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Head moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Good shot there by Riding.
Riding is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Head.
Riding looks to land a combination but Head avoids it well.
Riding throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Head takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Riding throws a hook to the side of Head's head but Head sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riding shoots in for a takedown but Head shows good takedown defense.
Riding is breathing heavily.
Riding throws a series of punches but Head avoids them all with ease.
Riding misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Riding swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Riding shoots in for a double leg but Head sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Riding shoots for a double leg takedown but Head sprawls well. He's pushed Riding's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Horace Head has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Carl Riding.
Riding misses with a lunging right hand

and Head counters with a nice double leg into side control. Riding won't be happy with that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Head decides to stand up, so the ref orders Riding to his feet.
Riding misses with a double jab

and Head counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Riding wants to get back to his feet but Head passes into half guard.
Head seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Head trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
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 Horace Head will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Riding tries to bum rush Head with a series of wild strikes but Head uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Riding misses with a wild combination.
Riding takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Riding shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Head napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Riding moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riding tries to move to full mount but Head actually manages to regain half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Riding seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Riding is trying to control. Head wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Carl Riding hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Riding lands with an overhand left.
Riding shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Head as he avoids it easily.
Riding misses with a two punch combination.
Riding takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Head keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Riding.
Riding swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Head counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Head stands up from Riding's guard - Head perhaps looking for a knockout.
Riding missing with a left hand there. Head was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Riding throws a combination that misses

and Head counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Head won't allow Riding to get back to his feet.

Head gets to his feet - Riding follows without any prompting.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riding swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Head counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Head decides to stand and escape the position.
Riding rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Head moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Riding thows a left - swing and a miss!
Head avoids the body shot from Riding.

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 Horace Head.
I think Head 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:29
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a draw!