PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Edmund Riddle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Momchil Nedkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Momchil Nedkov will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Riddle
vs
Nedkov

162 cm
24
178 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
23
182 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Hates pizza

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Edmund Riddle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Momchil Nedkov!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Sam Margolis and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nedkov instigates a clinch.
Nedkov is trying to push Riddle away but Riddle has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Nedkov displaying some good clinch control by pressing Riddle up against the cage.
Riddle pressing his opponent against the cage.
Nedkov tries for a takedown but Riddle manages to get underhooks.
Nedkov working hard to break the clinch.

Nedkov breaks the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nedkov wants to clinch

and Riddle counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Riddle could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Nedkov is trying to control the position but Riddle postures up.

Nedkov pushes Riddle off and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nedkov looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Riddle pushes Nedkov off and gets back to his feet.
Nedkov shoots for a double leg takedown but Riddle sprawls well. He's pushed Nedkov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Nedkov instigates a clinch.
Nedkov scores a nice knee to the body.
Nedkov tries to pull guard but Riddle won't allow it.
Edmund Riddle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Momchil Nedkov.
Nedkov unloads a knee to the mid-section.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nedkov jumps guard but Riddle turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nedkov manages to pull guard.
Riddle has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Riddle prevents Nedkov from getting back to his feet.
Riddle seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Riddle loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Nedkov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Riddle is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Riddle 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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nedkov throws a head kick that half lands.

It looks like Edmund Riddle has been cut.
Nedkov wants to clinch up but Riddle keeps it at a distance.
Nedkov misses with a takedown attempt
and Riddle counters with a left and a right that stings Nedkov.
Momchil Nedkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick misses from Riddle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nedkov swings away with a body shot that misses
and Riddle counters with a one-two to the body.
Nedkov shoots in and drives through. Riddle sprawls well.
Nedkov dives in and grabs Riddle's left leg, looking for a takedown. Riddle pushes down on Nedkov's head and hops out.
Riddle tries to counter by clinching up but Nedkov breaks away and moves out of range.

Nedkov clinches up against the cage.
Riddle has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Riddle has Nedkov pushed against the cage.
Nedkov tries to break the clinch but Riddle is controlling the position.

Riddle escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nedkov throws a sloppy head kick and Riddle moves out of range easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Edmund Riddle will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Edmund Riddle's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Riddle avoids the body shot from Nedkov.
Nedkov throws a right hand that Riddle ducks under and follows up with a left that Riddle also avoids with ease.
Nedkov misses with a takedown

and Riddle counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Riddle prevents a body shot from Nedkov.
Riddle wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Nedkov decides to pull guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Riddle controlling from the top position.
Riddle keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Nedkov's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nedkov has his hands on Riddle's head, controlling the position.
Let's hope that Nedkov 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.
Riddle might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Riddle stays in close to Nedkov's body and controls the position.
Riddle has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Nedkov tries a head kick but it misses.
Riddle lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Nedkov blocks a head kick by Riddle.
Nedkov throws the kick towards the body but Riddle avoids it.
Riddle seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Nedkov throws a body shot but no joy.
Riddle seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Riddle tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nedkov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nedkov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Nedkov is looking to clinch but Riddle is avoiding it.
Nedkov tries to clinch up.

Riddle rushes Nedkov and presses him up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riddle is struggling to control the position.
Nedkov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Nedkov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nedkov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Riddle is looking to counter the offense by Nedkov and move into the clinch.
Nedkov shoots and misses

and Riddle counters by moving into the clinch.
Riddle blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Nedkov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Riddle prevents it.
Edmund Riddle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Momchil Nedkov.

Nedkov has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Riddle uses from the top position.
Riddle is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nedkov looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Riddle puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nedkov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Riddle is working away from the top position though.
Nedkov tries to get to full guard but Riddle has control of the leg.
Edmund Riddle overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Nedkov is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Riddle stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Momchil Nedkov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Edmund Riddle's cut.
That's time! Riddle's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Nedkov dives in for a single leg takedown but Riddle sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Nedkov misses with a takedown

and Riddle counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Riddle.
Riddle tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Riddle has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Nedkov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Riddle breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nedkov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Riddle swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Riddle is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Nedkov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nedkov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Riddle manages to avoid it.
Riddle is looking to counter the offense by Nedkov and move into the clinch.
Nedkov fails with a takedown attempt.
Riddle appears to be looking for a big counter.
Edmund Riddle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Momchil Nedkov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nedkov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nedkov fails with the takedown
and Riddle counters with a one-two to the body.
Riddle stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Riddle wants it to stay on the feet.
Nedkov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Nedkov gets a clinch.

Riddle breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Riddle throws a front kick that sends Nedkov stumbling back into the cage.

Riddle throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Nedkov was covering up waiting for the punch and Riddle finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Riddle is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nedkov is trying to hold Riddle in close to prevent damage but Riddle has managed to pass into half guard.
Nedkov controlling the position well.
Nedkov wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nedkov tries to roll over but Riddle keeps him under control.
Riddle thows a huge punch but Nedkov dodges it nicely.

Nedkov with the active half guard here but Riddle passes nicely into side control.
Riddle controls the position.
You can see the frustration on Nedkov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Riddle is looking to take a break and control but Nedkov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Riddle slows the pace down.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Riddle working the head and body with strikes.
Nedkov tries to get back to half guard but can't.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Riddle tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Nedkov defends well and Riddle ends up having to push Nedkov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Nedkov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Riddle swivels and escapes.
Riddle thinks about countering with a head kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Edmund Riddle showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Riddle has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Edmund Riddle!