PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Richard Richards Iii (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juno August (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Juno August will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Richards Iii
vs
August

155 cm
25
145 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

167 cm
25
142 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Richard Richards Iii!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Juno August!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Peter Branson and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
August lands a jab-cross combination.
Richards Iii takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
August uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Richards Iii has time to react.
Richards Iii fails to land the takedown.
Nice uppercut lands for August. That snapped Richards Iii's head back.
August throws a right hand that Richards Iii ducks under and follows up with a left that Richards Iii also avoids with ease.
Richards Iii changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. August tries to avoid it but Richards Iii manages to keep hold of a leg and drag August to the ground. August escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nice jab there from August.
August cracks Richards Iii with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
August scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Richards Iii doesn't seem bothered though.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Richards Iii rushes August and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
August lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Richards Iii backwards.
August fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short left from August.
August swings away with an uppercut that misses.
August tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Richards Iii.

That's one minute gone in the round.

August breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
August scores with a nice strike.
Richards Iii closes the distance and clinches up with August, looking for a takedown. Richards Iii pushes August against the cage but August circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Richard Richards Iii. That's going to take a lot out of him.
August throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Richards Iii stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Richards Iii has August up against the cage in a clinch.
Richards Iii takes a shot to the head.

August breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
August has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
August jabs at Richards Iii's body.
August takes a swing at Richards Iii's ribcage but misses.
Richards Iii misses with a takedown attempt - August sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
August scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Richards Iii doesn't seem bothered though.
August's coach down at was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on August's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Juno August is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
August loads up on a big right hand but Richards Iii slips the punch.
A left and a right from August both land. Nice combination.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jab from August.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
August moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Richards Iii has closed the distance and engaged August in a clinch.
August is trying to push Richards Iii away but Richards Iii has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Richards Iii tightens his grip and picks August up, before dumping him to the ground. August manages to land in guard.
Richards Iii is looking to work some ground and pound but August has wrist control.
Richards Iii might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Richards Iii in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Richards Iii is looking to work some ground and pound but August has wrist control.
Richards Iii passes into half guard.
Richards Iii throwing shots but August is blocking nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

August looking for submissions off his back.
August avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Richards Iii.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards Iii drops an elbow to the side of August's head.
Nice strikes from Richards Iii there.
Richards Iii wants to lay and pray for a moment but August keeps working.
Richards Iii is thwarting August's attempts to control the position.

August looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Richards Iii perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's four 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.
Richards Iii throwing shots but August is blocking nicely.
Richards Iii drops an elbow to the side of August's head.
Richards Iii is nestled in close to August, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Richards Iii looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
August really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Richards Iii. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Richards Iii working the head and body with strikes.
Richards Iii prevents August from improving his position.
Richards Iii lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Richards Iii is looking for a kimura but August is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Richards Iii to get the leverage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juno August dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

August is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Richards Iii.
August looks to land a combination but Richards Iii avoids it well.
Richards Iii half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Richards Iii shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and August counters by clinching up.
A nice right hand lands inside from August.
Richards Iii is looking to take this one to the mat.
Richards Iii leaning his opponent against the cage.
Richards Iii blocks an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

August breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Richards Iii rushes August and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Richards Iii turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Richards Iii manages to end up in side control.

Richards Iii working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The strikes coming from Richards Iii are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richards Iii creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
August tries to improve position but can't.
Richards Iii lands a decent elbow from side control.
August tries to buck Richards Iii off but Richards Iii is having none of it.
Richards Iii works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Richards Iii has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Richards Iii throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Richards Iii 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.
Richards Iii misses with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
August trying his best to control but Richards Iii has mounted him.

Richards Iii goes for an armbar but August turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from August.

August drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Richards Iii dives on top into guard.

Richards Iii in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
August preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Richards Iii landing with the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Richards Iii accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards Iii distracts August with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Richards Iii definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

August is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Richards Iii pushes down on August's leg and manages to get into half guard.
August taking some punishment here, with Richards Iii in his half guard.
August keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Richards Iii looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Richards Iii connects with a nice short shot to August's temple.

Richards Iii is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richards Iii seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Richards Iii working over August with some ground and pound. August looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
August has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Richards Iii is working away from the top position though.
Richards Iii thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed August's head.
Richards Iii sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. August defending well though.
Richards Iii is nestled in close to August, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Richards Iii dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Richards Iii is looking to clinch but August is avoiding it.
August circles away from the clinch attempt
and August counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A punch combination from August misses.
August just misses with a punch to the body.
Richards Iii takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
August misses with a few strikes there.
August is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
August throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Richards Iii sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Richards Iii takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Richards Iii closes the distance but August moves to the side
and August connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Richards Iii fails with an attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from August. Richards Iii does a little dance to reset his feet.
Richards Iii shoots in but no luck this time.
August wants to counter with a clinch but Richards Iii pushes him away.
Richards Iii shoots and misses
and August counters with a series of strikes. Richards Iii will be more careful next time no doubt.
Richards Iii takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
August wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richards Iii shoots in looking for a takedown but August manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Richards Iii's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Richard Richards Iii. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Richards Iii gets cracked with a nice right hand there by August.
Richards Iii takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
August stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Richards Iii is looking to clinch.
August scores with a decent looking hook.

Richards Iii fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. August sprawls well initially but Richards Iii persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
August trying to hold on to Richards Iii's head to control him but Richards Iii postures up.
Richards Iii is trying to control. August wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Richards Iii misses with a head shot. August uses the momentum to regain guard.
Richards Iii passes August's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

August looking for submissions off his back.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

August is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Richards Iii pulls his head out easily.
Richards Iii is nestled in close to August, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if August can do anything to dispel that myth.
August gets full guard.
Richards Iii throwing strikes but missing.
Richards Iii scoring with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards Iii is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Richards Iii postures up and lands a big shot to August's brow.
August working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Richards Iii.
Richards Iii makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Richards Iii makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Richards Iii is looking to work some ground and pound but August has wrist control.
Richards Iii landing with the ground and pound.
Richards Iii trying to control the position from guard on top but August is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richards Iii scoring with some ground and pound.

Richards Iii is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Richards Iii is stalling in the full guard.
August utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Juno August comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think August has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juno August!