PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mendy Ripstein (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Swanson (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.

Ripstein
vs
Swanson

190 cm
25
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
20
134 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mendy Ripstein!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mark Swanson!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Summer Carpenter and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Swanson throws a head kick but Ripstein moves out of range.

Ripstein shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Swanson napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Ripstein prevents Swanson from escaping the position.
Ripstein content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Swanson wants to get back to his feet.
Ripstein in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Ripstein fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Ripstein controls the position.

Ripstein stands up and beckons Swanson to his feet.
Swanson misses with a head kick.
Ripstein avoids the head kick by Swanson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ripstein avoids the head kick by Swanson.
Ripstein avoids the head kick by Swanson.
Mark Swanson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ripstein shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Swanson but Swanson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Swanson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Swanson misses with a head kick.
Swanson looks winded!
Ripstein darts in looking for a takedown but Swanson gets double underhooks and turns Ripstein into the cage.
Swanson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ripstein goes for a takedown attempt but Swanson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mendy Ripstein. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Swanson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Swanson misses with a head kick.
Ripstein shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Swanson but Swanson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ripstein avoids the head kick by Swanson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Swanson tries a head kick but it misses.
Ripstein is trying hard to land a takedown here. Swanson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ripstein shoots in for a takedown but Swanson shows good takedown defense.
Ripstein shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Swanson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Ripstein rushes Swanson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Swanson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Ripstein feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Swanson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Ripstein controls the pace.
Ripstein stops Swanson from standing up.

Ripstein stands and steps away. Swanson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ripstein has managed to clinch.
Ripstein wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ripstein can't get the takedown.
Swanson prevents a takedown attempt there.
Ripstein has Swanson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Swanson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Swanson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Swanson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Ripstein pulls Swanson into guard.
Ripstein really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Ripstein is pulling down on Swanson's head to control his posture.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Swanson working some strikes from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ripstein lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Swanson!
Ripstein controlling the pace for now.
Swanson is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

Ripstein is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Swanson can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Swanson wants to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ripstein is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Swanson has managed to escape the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mendy Ripstein dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ripstein darts in looking for a takedown but Swanson gets double underhooks and turns Ripstein into the cage.
Swanson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Swanson is trying to trip Ripstein. He has hold of a leg but Ripstein is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Swanson persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Swanson wants to control from the top but Ripstein keeps moving.

Ripstein scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Swanson throws a sloppy head kick and Ripstein moves out of range easily.
Swanson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ripstein.
Swanson throws a sloppy head kick and Ripstein moves out of range easily.
Swanson is breathing heavily.
Nice sprawl there from Swanson as Ripstein shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mendy Ripstein. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Swanson misses with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ripstein fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Swanson to the ground. Ripstein is now in Swanson's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ripstein not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Ripstein passes into half guard.
Ripstein thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Swanson's head.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Swanson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Ripstein with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Ripstein not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ripstein will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Ripstein moves nicely into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ripstein decides to stand back up. Ripstein steps back and let's Swanson get back to his feet.
Mark Swanson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ripstein is trying hard to land a takedown here. Swanson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ripstein shoots in for a takedown but Swanson shows good takedown defense.
Ripstein blocks a head kick by Swanson.
Ripstein tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Swanson defends well and Ripstein ends up having to push Swanson into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Ripstein looking for a takedown.
A frustrated look appears on Swanson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Ripstein lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Swanson backwards.
Swanson tries to land a knee to the head but Ripstein blocks with his arms.

Swanson works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Ripstein looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Swanson throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Ripstein throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ripstein trying to control the position.
Swanson throwing strikes but missing.
Swanson throws a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ripstein pushes Swanson off and scrambles back to his feet.
Ripstein tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Swanson swivels and escapes.
Swanson tries to close the distance and clinch but Ripstein swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Swanson is looking to clinch.

Ripstein closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Swanson quickly recovers to half guard.
Ripstein stops Swanson from getting back to his feet.
Swanson is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Mendy Ripstein overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
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.
Swanson has hold of Ripstein's hands but Ripstein slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Swanson tries to kick Ripstein off but Ripstein keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Ripstein is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Swanson defends it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mendy Ripstein dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Swanson throws a sloppy head kick and Ripstein moves out of range easily.
Swanson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ripstein scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Swanson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mendy Ripstein is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ripstein shoots in looking for a takedown. Swanson tries to sprawl out of it but Ripstein keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Swanson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A head kick misses from Swanson.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Swanson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Swanson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Swanson wants it to stay on the feet.
Swanson throws a head kick that misses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ripstein is defended easily by Swanson.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mendy Ripstein. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Swanson tries to clinch up.

Ripstein scores with a takedown into Swanson's guard.
Ripstein throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ripstein with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ripstein prevents Swanson from getting back to his feet.
Swanson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ripstein.

Swanson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ripstein controls from within his opponent's guard.
Ripstein is standing up over Swanson. Swanson looks to escape but Ripstein dives into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ripstein advances to mount.
Ripstein controlling the position easily from mount.
Swanson is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Ripstein has taken his back!
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!
Swanson is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.

Ripstein has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Swanson covering up well under a series of strikes from Ripstein.
Ripstein biding his time, controlling Swanson.
Ripstein is trying to stick to Swanson's back but Swanson is turning into Ripstein. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Ripstein's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Swanson.
Ripstein controlling Swanson's posture.
Mark Swanson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mendy Ripstein wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Swanson tries a head kick but it misses.
Swanson throws a head kick that misses.
Ripstein darts in looking for a takedown but Swanson gets double underhooks and turns Ripstein into the cage.
Ripstein drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Swanson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Ripstein tries for a takedown but Swanson manages to get underhooks.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Swanson is trying to break the clinch but Ripstein has him pressed against the cage.
Mendy Ripstein is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Swanson gets underhooks to prevent Ripstein's takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mendy Ripstein showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ripstein, 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 30:27
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mendy Ripstein!