PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Anderson Weidman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Duke Richard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Weidman comes to the cage accompanied by King Fantastic- West Coast Synthesizer . Duke Richard is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Weidman
vs
Richard

200 cm
26
152 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

176 cm
38
155 lbs
18 - 21 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Powerful

V-Mask Clothing + 10% laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Anderson Weidman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 21 - 0, fighting out of London, Duke Richard!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Paul Tew and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Weidman fails with a takedown attempt.
Richard changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Weidman dives in for a single leg takedown but Richard sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
We've been hearing reports that Weidman has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Weidman tries to score a power double leg takedown but Richard sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Weidman somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anderson Weidman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Weidman stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Weidman wants it to stay on the feet.
Weidman drops down looking for a counter takedown but Richard sprawls and moves away.
Weidman shoots in looking for a takedown. Richard tries to sprawl out of it but Weidman keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Richard manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Weidman really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Richard shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Weidman is trying to defend but Richard finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Richard is working for a kimura but Weidman is defending it quite comfortably.
Weidman trying to control from the bottom.

Weidman looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Weidman regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Weidman doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Weidman is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Weidman is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Weidman keeping full guard, as Richard tries to pass.
Richard must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Richard wants to stand but Weidman has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Richard wants to pass the guard but Weidman is keeping the position.
Richard preventing the sweep.
Weidman controls Richard momentarily but Richard frees himself.
Richard would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richard is stalling in the full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Weidman tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Richard swivels and escapes.
Weidman fails with a takedown attempt.
It seemed like Richard was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Weidman doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Richard counters with a series of strikes. Weidman will be more careful next time no doubt.
Weidman misses with a takedown
and Richard counters with a left to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Richard drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Weidman looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Richard puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Richard wants to pass to mount but Weidman is defending the position.
Richard is thwarting Weidman's attempts to control the position.

Weidman is defending against the submission attempts here by Richard.

Richard is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Weidman sees it coming and defends easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Weidman is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Weidman has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Richard is working away from the top position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

No luck with that takedown attempt from Weidman.
Nice takedown defense from Weidman. No joy for Richard on that attempt.
Weidman with a poor takedown
and Richard counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Weidman thinking.
Weidman goes for a double leg but Richard avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Richard continues to drive forward.
Richard drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Weidman defends it well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anderson Weidman. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Richard gets caught napping as Weidman dives in and scores a takedown. Richard manages to retain guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Weidman got a little sloppy there for a moment and Richard has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Weidman has managed to get both his arms back between Richard's legs - danger averted.

Weidman postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Richard is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Weidman, into his guard.

Richard loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richard won't allow Weidman to sweep him here.
Weidman trying to control the position.

Weidman had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Richard defends it easily.
Richard looking to pass the guard.

Weidman has his foot on Richard's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Richard works his way back into a safe position though.
Richard slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Richard wants to lay and pray for a moment but Weidman keeps working.
Weidman is trying to improve his position.
Duke Richard has got the better of the ground game so far.
Weidman regains half guard, as Richard was trying to land strikes.
Richard is pressing down on Weidman's thigh, looking to free his foot. Weidman is holding on for now.

Richard is working for a submission of some sort.
Richard looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Richard is looking for a kimura here.

Richard is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Weidman doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Richard.

Weidman is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Richard pulls his head out easily.
Weidman trying to control here.
Richard is looking to pass Weidman's guard but actually Weidman recovers to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Weidman controls Richard momentarily but Richard frees himself.
Weidman is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Richard is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Richard loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Richard with a flurry of punches that miss.
Richard stopping the sweep attempt from Weidman.
Richard is stalling in the full guard.
Richard forces his way into half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Weidman trying to hold on to Richard's head to control him but Richard postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Duke Richard showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Weidman shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Richard as he avoids it easily.
It seemed like Richard was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Weidman gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Richard to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Richard tries to free his leg and advance position but Weidman is retaining full guard.
Richard working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Richard wants to pass the guard but Weidman is keeping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Weidman wants to sweep here but Richard controlling him for the moment.
Weidman wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Richard is now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Weidman is trying to maintain the position but Richard is very close to passing his half guard.
Richard wants to control but Weidman is keeping him busy.

Richard stands up out of the half guard.
Richard fails to land the takedown.
Weidman with a lazy takedown attempt

and Richard counters with a takedown into side control.
Richard has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Richard in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Richard lands some shots froms side control.
Richard working away.
Weidman regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Weidman moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Richard pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Weidman is keeping the position for now.
Weidman will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Weidman trying to control the position.
Weidman tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Weidman keeping full guard, as Richard tries to pass.
Weidman looking for a sweep. Not yet Weidman, not yet.
Richard tries to free his leg and advance position but Weidman is retaining full guard.
Weidman keeping busy, throwing shots from the bottom.
Weidman looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Richard's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richard trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Richard controlling from the top position.
Weidman looking for a sweep. Not yet Weidman, not yet.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Richard wants to control from the top but Weidman keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Weidman misses with a takedown attempt - Richard sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Richard! But no joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anderson Weidman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A combination from Weidman does no damage.
Richard is trying hard to land a takedown here. Weidman sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Weidman misses with a takedown
and Richard counters with a stiff right hand.

It looks like Anderson Weidman has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Richard is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Weidman's half guard.

Richard is working for a submission of some sort.

Richard stands up and beckons Weidman to join him on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Richard slaps away a takedown attempt from Weidman, before circling back to the center of the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Duke Richard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Richard 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Duke Richard!
Duke Richard took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, nope for their support in the buildup to the fight.
In defeat, Anderson Weidman stepped up to the mic, saying 'I am not impressed by your performance.'.