PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ippo Ribeiro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lay Pray (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ribeiro comes into the arena with bubble pop blaring out of the sound system. Pray has chosen Don't Fear the Reaper- Blue Oyster Cult as his entrance music. Lay Pray will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Ribeiro
vs
Pray

225 cm
31
300 lbs
8 - 9 - 0

225 cm
42
300 lbs
15 - 38 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ippo Ribeiro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 38 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Lay Pray!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pray shoots in for a takedown but Ribeiro shows good takedown defense.
It looked like Ribeiro was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Pray shoots for a double leg takedown but Ribeiro sprawls well. He's pushed Pray's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Ribeiro closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Pray to the mat! Pray manages to get full guard.
Pray wants to stand up but Ribeiro is controlling him.
Pray utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Pray wants to stand and escape but Ribeiro is having none of it.
Pray looking for a sweep. Not yet Pray, not yet.
Ribeiro in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Pray wants to stand but Ribeiro is controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ribeiro loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ribeiro postures up in Pray's guard and throws a big left but Pray blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pray wants to stand and escape but Ribeiro is having none of it.
Ribeiro postures up in Pray's guard and throws a big left but Pray blocks it.
Ribeiro throws a strike but Pray rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Pray prevents Ribeiro from getting back to his feet.
Pray engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pray won't allow Ribeiro to get back to his feet.
Pray's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Pray stops Ribeiro from standing up.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Pray.
Ippo Ribeiro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lay Pray.
Pray swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Ribeiro counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Ribeiro.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ribeiro accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Pray pushes Ribeiro off and gets back to his feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Pray.
Pray throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Ribeiro landing strikes.
Ribeiro misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Pray is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Ribeiro has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Ribeiro misses with the ground and pound.
Ribeiro looks up at the clock and then as Pray takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Ribeiro smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Ribeiro wants to control but Pray is keeping him busy.
Ribeiro creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Pray pushes Ribeiro away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Ribeiro gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Ribeiro working away.
Ribeiro is putting a hurting on Pray here, landing some big shots from side control.
Ribeiro wants to control but Pray is keeping him busy.
Ribeiro misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Ribeiro landing a few strikes.
Pray is looking for a sweep.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Sloppy strikes there by Ribeiro.
Pray takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro grinds an elbow into Pray's temple.
The ground and pound from Ribeiro seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Pray sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Ribeiro seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Pray does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ribeiro stops Pray from getting back to his feet.
Ribeiro looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Ribeiro lands a nice short elbow.
Pray wants to improve his position but Ribeiro is controlling well.
Pray is positioning himself well to prevent Ribeiro advancing to mount.
Ribeiro missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ribeiro not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ribeiro wants to pass to mount but Pray is defending the position.
Ribeiro scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Ribeiro lands strikes from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pray is not content to let Ribeiro control the position.
Ribeiro seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Pray pushes Ribeiro off looking to stand but Ribeiro dives back in and keeps control.
Pray won't allow Ribeiro to pass to mount.
Pray manages to get to full guard.
Ribeiro postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ribeiro stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Pray swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Pray is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ribeiro is controlling him.
Ribeiro postures up and lands a big shot to Pray's brow.
Pray seems keen to control Ribeiro's posture.
Ribeiro working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ribeiro is in close to Pray's body, working some short punches and elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ippo Ribeiro dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Pray shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ribeiro as he jumps to the side.
Pray misses with a takedown attempt
and Ribeiro counters with a three punch combo that has Pray backing up. Pray nods at Ribeiro to acknowledge the strikes.
Ribeiro darts in looking for a takedown but Pray gets double underhooks and turns Ribeiro into the cage.
Ribeiro fails with a takedown attempt.
Pray shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ribeiro pinned against the cage. Ribeiro gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ippo Ribeiro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lay Pray.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pray misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Pray gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

so Ribeiro counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Ribeiro trying to control the position from guard on top but Pray is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pray has Ribeiro pulled in close to control his posture.
Pray is looking to stand up but Ribeiro isn't so interested in that idea.
Ribeiro working some strikes from top position.
Pray wants to stand but Ribeiro is controlling the position.
Pray tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ribeiro is looking to work some ground and pound but Pray has wrist control.
Pray keeping moving, preventing Ribeiro from controlling successfully.
Pray trying to keep a closed guard but Ribeiro is proving a slippery customer.
Ribeiro throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ribeiro throws a big right hand that misses.
Ribeiro makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Ribeiro throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Pray works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro lands a couple of digs.
Ribeiro landing with the ground and pound.
Ribeiro with a flurry of punches that miss.
Pray lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Ribeiro is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Pray trying to control but Ribeiro is working from the bottom.
Ribeiro keeping full guard, as Pray tries to pass.
Ribeiro is looking to stand up but Pray isn't so interested in that idea.
Ribeiro keeping moving, preventing Pray from controlling successfully.
Ippo Ribeiro overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ribeiro wants to get back to his feet but Pray is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Ribeiro is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Pray can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pray engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Pray won't allow Ribeiro to get back to his feet.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Pray stays in close to Ribeiro's body and controls the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Pray shoots in looking for a takedown but Ribeiro manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Pray's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ribeiro half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Pray closes the distance and clinches up with Ribeiro, looking for a takedown. Pray pushes Ribeiro against the cage but Ribeiro circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A right-left combo lands from Ribeiro.
Ribeiro throws a head kick but Pray moves out of range.
Pray fails with the takedown.
Pray is breathing heavily.
Pray fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ribeiro avoids it really well and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pray shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Pray stuffs the takedown.
Ribeiro avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ribeiro attempts a counter takedown but Pray avoids it well and moves away.
Pray closes the distance looking to clinch

and Ribeiro counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pray is trying to get back to full guard.
Pray tries to kick Ribeiro off but Ribeiro keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pray is looking for a sweep. Ribeiro is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ribeiro has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Ribeiro cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ippo Ribeiro dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Horrible takedown attempt by Pray or perhaps it was just good defense by Ribeiro, which made it look bad.
Pray looks for a takedown but Ribeiro sprawls well.

Ribeiro 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.
Pray is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Ribeiro is trying to stand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pray is keen to just control but Ribeiro is a slippery customer.
Pray stops Ribeiro from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pray wants to take a breather but Ribeiro is having none of it.
Pray controlling the action here.
Ribeiro is looking to escape.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Pray throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ribeiro half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Ribeiro feints and as Pray raises his hands in defense, Ribeiro changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Ribeiro wants to control from the top but Pray keeps moving.
Pray preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ippo Ribeiro is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ribeiro is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Pray has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Ribeiro is looking to defend but Pray has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Ribeiro! Pray pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Ribeiro taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:19 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Lay Pray!
After the fight, Lay Pray was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.
Ippo Ribeiro spoke after the fight, saying 'i'm injured'.