PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ben Cohen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Richie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James Richie is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Cohen
vs
Richie

154 cm
22
177 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
25
180 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Ben Cohen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, James Richie!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Chris Edwards and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cohen scores with a takedown into Richie's guard.
Cohen controlling from the top position.
Cohen trying to control the position from guard on top but Richie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cohen could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Cohen is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Cohen throwing strikes but missing.
Richie is trying to control the position but Cohen postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ben Cohen wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Richie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Richie shoots in and gets a takedown into Cohen's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cohen wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Richie manages to pass to side control.
Cohen is staying active underneath Richie, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Cohen looks like he's trying to stand up.
Cohen 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.
Richie is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Cohen might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Richie throwing shots but Cohen is blocking nicely.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Richie controlling the action here.
Richie works his way into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richie happy to just control the position for now.
Cohen tries to bench press Richie off him but Richie keeps the position.
Richie trying to control the action but Cohen is working from the bottom.
Cohen tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Cohen tries to escape the position.

Cohen manages to stand up with Richie still on his back. Eventually Richie drops to his feet and we're back in the standing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Richie shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Richie showed some decent athleticism there.
Cohen is breathing heavily.
Richie seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Richie trying to control the action but Cohen is working from the bottom.
Richie looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Cohen with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Cohen tries to kick Richie off but Richie keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Cohen is staying active underneath Richie, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. James Richie hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Cohen misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Richie counters by moving into the clinch.

Richie gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Cohen regains guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Richie stays in close to Cohen's body and controls the position.
Cohen knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Richie on the ground.
Cohen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Richie trying to control the position from guard on top but Cohen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Richie would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Richie sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Cohen's guard.
Cohen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Richie dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Cohen tries to sprawl but Richie drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Richie thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Richie throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Cohen wants to get back to his feet.
Well, if Richie is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Cohen wants to control but Richie is keeping busy.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Cohen tries to kick Richie off but Richie keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Richie closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Richie lands in his opponent's guard.
Richie trying to control but Cohen is working from the bottom.
Cohen keeping full guard, as Richie tries to pass.
Richie trying to control the position from guard on top but Cohen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

OK we're going to have a standup here. James Richie hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Richie shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Cohen manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cohen is looking for a triangle here but Richie uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Cohen struggling a bit here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cohen is not content to let Richie control the position.

Richie is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Cohen has escaped the position, nice work there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cohen struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cohen is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Richie has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Cohen is trying to escape the position but Richie is controlling the position.
Cohen is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Richie is working to tighten his grip on Cohen's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Cohen has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Richie is really squeezing tight and eventually Cohen passes out! Richie breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:39 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). James Richie!