PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Tony Gibbs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Richer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tony Gibbs has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Gibbs
vs
Richer

156 cm
22
140 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

168 cm
25
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tony Gibbs!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Michael Richer!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Gregory Folan and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Richer fails with the takedown.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Gibbs manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Gibbs being controlled here, momentarily.
Gibbs preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gibbs looking to hit a scissor sweep but Richer is one step ahead there.
Richer wants to stand but Gibbs has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Richer has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richer trying to control the position from guard on top but Gibbs is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Richer scoring with some ground and pound.
Richer throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gibbs preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Gibbs gets tackled into the cage by Richer. Richer maintains the clinch.
Gibbs could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

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.

Richer has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Gibbs uses from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Richer pulls Gibbs in close to his closed guard and prevents Gibbs from doing any damage or advancing position.
Gibbs is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Gibbs trying to control the position from guard on top but Richer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Richer is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Richer trying to control from half guard but Gibbs is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richer wants to pass to mount but Gibbs is defending the position.
Richer is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Gibbs won't allow Richer to pass to mount.
Richer is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Gibbs is not content to let Richer control the position.

Richer decides to stand up.

Richer closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richer is looking to take this one to the mat.
Gibbs tries for a takedown. No joy.
Richer stalling the fight.
The referee is keeping an eye on Gibbs - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Gibbs takes a knee to the side of the body.
Gibbs can't get the takedown.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Richer tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Gibbs smiles and moves away.
Tony Gibbs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Richer.

Richer gets a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Richer dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Richer closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gibbs circles away.
Richer throws a nice looking combination but Gibbs bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Richer tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
As Richer looks to move away, Gibbs throws a big counter combo bu Richer just gets out of the way.
Richer doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Gibbs counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Richer shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gibbs throws a big counter combination but Richer scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Tony Gibbs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Richer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Richer pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Richer lands a jab-cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Richer is defended easily by Gibbs.
A head kick misses from Richer.

Richer instigates a clinch.
Richer has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Richer is trying to drag Gibbs to the mat but Gibbs just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Richer lands a takedown into guard.
Richer is breathing heavily.
Richer throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gibbs trying to control the position here.
Richer is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Richer trying to control but Gibbs is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richer throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gibbs works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Richer throwing strikes from guard but Gibbs blocks nicely.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Richer has managed to clinch.
Gibbs is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Richer is keeping busy.

Richer jumps guard.

Gibbs thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Richer controlling Gibbs's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richer working a defensive guard here.

Richer wriggles free and stands up.
Richer shoots and misses

and Gibbs counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Richer!
Richer tries to improve position but can't.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Richer manages to get back to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Richer is pressing down on Gibbs's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Richer wants to get back to his feet but Gibbs is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Gibbs stays in close to Richer's body and controls the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Richer showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Gibbs tries a head kick but it misses.
Gibbs tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Richer closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Richer manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Richer is pulling down on Gibbs's head to control his posture.
Richer trying to keep a closed guard but Gibbs is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gibbs working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Richer's head.
Richer looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Michael Richer has got the better of the ground game so far.
Richer wants to get back to his feet but Gibbs is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gibbs accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gibbs in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gibbs trying to control but Richer is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Richer shoots in for a double leg but Gibbs sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Gibbs throws a big counter combination but Richer scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Gibbs leaning against his opponent.
Richer wants to take the fight to the mat but Gibbs manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Gibbs gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Richer.
Tony Gibbs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Richer.
Richer takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Richer breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Richer throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richer dives in for a single leg takedown but Gibbs sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
No luck for Richer with that takedown attempt.

Richer closes the distance and clinches.

Gibbs works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Richer looking to control.
Richer working a defensive guard but Gibbs manages to pass into side control anyway.
Gibbs cracks Richer with a big right hand but Richer just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gibbs scoring with punches from side control.
Gibbs lands an elbow.
Gibbs working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Gibbs trying to control the position but Richer is working away.

Gibbs tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Gibbs tries to stand but Richer is controlling his head.

Gibbs is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Richer knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richer is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Gibbs off and has taken his back!
Gibbs might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Richer controlling the position well here. Gibbs rolled but Richer kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Gibbs is keeping busy.
Michael Richer is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gibbs looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

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 Tony Gibbs.
Well Richer has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Richer!