PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Byron Bridges (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rich Delgado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rich Delgado has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bridges
vs
Delgado

172 cm
22
140 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

172 cm
24
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid 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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Byron Bridges!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rich Delgado!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Bruno Lombardi and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Delgado looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Bridges!

Delgado wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Bridges, who protects the arm well.
Bridges is looking to regain half guard here but Delgado keeps moving and retains side control.
Bridges is working hard here to advance position.
Bridges is trying to control Delgado's posture but Delgado avoids it.
Bridges tries to buck Delgado off but Delgado is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Delgado is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Bridges is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Delgado throws an elbow but Bridges slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Delgado content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Let's hope that Delgado has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Delgado has control of an arm but Bridges manages to advance to Delgado's back!
Delgado manages to reverse the position and now he's in Bridges's guard. Nice work there by Delgado.
Delgado throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bridges is on top in guard.

Delgado pushes Bridges off and scrambles back to his feet.

Bridges gets tackled into the cage by Delgado. Delgado maintains the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bridges tries to pull guard but Delgado forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Delgado manages to break the clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bridges.
Bridges doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Delgado connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Byron Bridges. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Delgado feints and as Bridges raises his hands in defense, Delgado changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Delgado is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Delgado looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bridges looking for a sweep. Not yet Bridges, not yet.
Delgado 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.
Bridges trying to control the position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Delgado sitting in guard here, content to control.

Delgado decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Bridges, up you get!
Bridges fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A head kick misses from Bridges.

Delgado shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Bridges is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Delgado is pressing down on Bridges's thigh, looking to free his foot. Bridges is holding on for now.
Delgado missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Well, if Delgado 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.
Delgado's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rich Delgado dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Delgado will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Bridges went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

Delgado rushes Bridges and presses him up against the cage.

Delgado pulls guard effortlessly.
Delgado looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bridges is one step ahead there.

Delgado has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Bridges is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Delgado.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Delgado struggling a bit here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bridges tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Delgado is trying to control Bridges's posture but Bridges avoids it.

Bridges working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Delgado throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Delgado takes the fight into the clinch.

Delgado pulls Bridges into guard.
Rich Delgado has got the better of the ground game so far.
Delgado manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Bridges manages to get himself to full guard.

Bridges throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Delgado content to stall in guard here.

Delgado stands up from Bridges's guard - Delgado perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Delgado throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Bridges tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Delgado is in Bridges's guard.
Bridges looking for a sweep. Not yet Bridges, not yet.
Bridges trying to control the position.
Delgado is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Bridges tries to strike from the bottom.
Delgado postures up in Bridges's guard and throws a big left but Bridges blocks it.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Bridges holds on and takes a little breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bridges working a defensive guard here.
Bridges is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Delgado's corner calls for a 1-2. Delgado obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bridges.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bridges misses with a takedown
and Delgado counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Delgado lands a two punch combo.

Bridges is rocked!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rich Delgado showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Delgado closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Delgado lands in his opponent's guard.
Oh Bridges is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Bridges trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Delgado slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Bridges seems to have got his legs back now.
Bridges tries to bench press Delgado off him but Delgado keeps the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Delgado throws a strike aimed at the side of Bridges's head but Bridges avoids it well.
Bridges is looking for a sweep.

Delgado stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Delgado has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Delgado looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Delgado not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Bridges keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Delgado is trying to work for a kimura but Bridges is defending well.
Bridges tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Delgado has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bridges is looking to improve his position but Delgado isn't that keen on the idea.

Delgado moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Bridges has worked his arm free - good work by Bridges!
Delgado in side control, just content to control the action for now.

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.

Delgado stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Bridges tries to clinch up.

Bridges gets a takedown into half guard.

Delgado kicks Bridges off and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Delgado lands a lovely overhand right.
Delgado pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
It looked like Bridges was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Delgado avoids a punch combination nicely.

Delgado feints and as Bridges raises his hands in defense, Delgado changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Bridges has his foot on Delgado's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Delgado works his way back into a safe position though.
Delgado postures up.
Delgado controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bridges throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Delgado controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Delgado accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Delgado decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Bridges, up you get!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Delgado tries a head kick but it misses.
Bridges went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Byron Bridges has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rich Delgado is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
No joy there for Bridges, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rich Delgado comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Delgado 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rich Delgado!