PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mingo Deems (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sean Richards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Deems
vs
Richards

170 cm
27
151 lbs
9 - 12 - 0

170 cm
21
146 lbs
8 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 9 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mingo Deems!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sean Richards!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Jonathan Paton and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Deems misses with a left hand
and Richards counters with a nice uppercut.
Deems cracks Richards with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Deems bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Richards's head backwards.

It looks like Sean Richards has been cut.
Mingo Deems seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Richards comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Mingo Deems has been cut.
Nice elbow from Richards.
Richards tries to land a knee to the head but Deems blocks with his arms.
Richards with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Richards misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Deems.
Richards takes a shot to the head.
Richards throws a knee to the head but misses.
Deems lands with a light punch inside.
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!
Deems takes an elbow to the forehead.
Deems looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Richards connects with a knee to the head.
Richards lands a nice shot to the body.
Richards lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Richards.
Deems looking for a takedown.
Richards misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Deems has Richards pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Deems pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Richards tumbling to the mat - Deems dives into Richards's guard.

Richards has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Deems can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Deems has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Deems postures up in Richards's guard and throws a big left but Richards blocks it.
Deems stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Richards swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Deems trying to control the position from guard on top but Richards is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Richards wants to sweep here but Deems controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Deems looking to pass the guard.
Deems preventing the sweep.
Deems throwing strikes from guard but Richards blocks nicely.
Deems trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Richards is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Richards is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Deems is aware though and is defending well.
Richards throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Deems throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Richards's waist but Richards gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Deems off to one side.
Richards throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Deems has his takedown stuffed
and Richards counters with a nice kick to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mingo Deems. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Deems pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Deems tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sean Richards is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Deems avoids a kick to the body.
Deems doesn't manage to clinch there - Richards circles away.
Richards looks to score with a jab to the body but Deems is just out of range.
Richards misses with a low kick.
Deems lands a glancing blow to the side of Richards's head.

Deems shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Richards works his way to full guard. Good work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richards wants to sweep but no luck.
Richards throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Deems wants to control from the top but Richards keeps moving.
Deems slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Richards preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Deems avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Richards not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Sean Richards will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Richards takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Deems lands a nice leg kick that just misses Richards's sensitive parts.
Deems shoots in and drives through. Richards sprawls well.
Deems changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Richards tries to avoid it but Deems manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Richards to the ground. Richards escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Deems staying out of range there.
Richards misses with an attempted mid kick.
Deems cracks Richards with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Deems tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Deems moves away from the strike by Richards.
Deems half committed to a counter leg kick.
Deems shoots in and drives through. Richards sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mingo Deems. 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.

Deems shoots in and bounces Richards off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Richards trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richards keeping moving, preventing Deems from controlling successfully.
Richards 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 ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Richards wants to lay and pray for a moment but Deems keeps working.
Richards lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Deems is concentrating on defense, preventing Richards from advancing position.
Richards tries to pass the half guard into mount. Deems knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Deems is trying to stand back up but Richards is controlling him
Deems is looking to control Richards's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Deems avoid being mounted?
Richards sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Richards trying to control the action but Deems is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards wants to free his trapped foot but Deems is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Richards is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Deems defends it well.
Deems tries to roll over but Richards keeps him under control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Deems shoots in for a takedown but Richards shows good takedown defense.
Richards only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Richards on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Richards pushes Deems away with a front kick.
Richards throws out a leg kick but Deems moves out of range and Richards only half commits.
Deems shoots in for a double leg but Richards sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Deems shoots for a takedown but Richards saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Deems throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Richards's waist but Richards gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Deems off to one side.
Richards lands the left hand.
Deems feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Richardss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Deems lands an overhand right.
A looping hook to the body misses from Richards. Deems does a little dance to reset his feet.
Richards moves out of range of the leg kick from Deems.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Deems.
Deems is looking to clinch but Richards is avoiding it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Richards thuds his shin into the meat of Deems's side.

Richards closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Richards connects with a nasty looking knee right to Deems's face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sean Richards showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Richards fails to land with a series of punches.
Richards lands with a kick to the temple. Deems shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Deems shoots in for a takedown but Richards shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Deems is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Deems tries for a takedown but Richards sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Deems shoots in for a takedown but Richards shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mingo Deems. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Deems shoots for a double leg takedown but Richards sprawls well. He's pushed Deems's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Richards swats away the attempt to clinch by Deems.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Richards leaves Deems with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Richards pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Deems shoots for a double leg takedown but Richards sprawls well. He's pushed Deems's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richards throws a looping overhand right but Deems ducks down to avoid it.
Richards fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Sean Richards seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Deems takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Richards jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Richards throws a sloppy head kick
and Deems counters with a right hand to the body.
Richards tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Deems dips to his left and cracks Richards with an uppercut!
Deems looks for a takedown but Richards sprawls well.
Deems bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
It looked like Deems wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Richards throws a hook to the side of Deems's head but Deems sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Deems shoots in and drives through. Richards sprawls well.
Richards throws a leg kick which misses Deems's front leg but catches the back leg as Deems tries to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Deems has a takedown stuffed.
Richards throws a nice outside leg kick.
Richards thows a left - swing and a miss!
Richards has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Deems on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Richards cracks Deems with a good jab.
Deems fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Deems checks the leg kick nicely there.
Deems shoots in and drives through. Richards sprawls well.
Richards connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards misses with a right hand
and Richards takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Richards lands with a thumping leg kick.
A right-left combo lands from Richards.
Richards connects with the punch.
Deems tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Richards swivels and escapes.
Deems sets himself, and Richards steps forward looking for the clinch! Deems avoids it this time.
Deems is trying hard to land a takedown here. Richards sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Mingo Deems has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A solid body kick from Richards.

Richards closes the distance and clinches.
Richards lands an elbow inside that Deems shrugs off.
Richards swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A nice left hand lands by Richards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A short right from Richards on the inside.
Deems scores with a shot to the side of Richards's head.
Deems tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Richards just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richards is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Richards lands a shoulder strike.
Richards lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Deems goes for a takedown in the clinch but Richards prevents it.
Richards tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Knees in the clinch landing for Richards.

Deems manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Richards avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Deems being controlled here, momentarily.
Deems avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sean Richards comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Richards winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sean Richards!