PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ali Bagov (ranked 3341 p4p, 461 weight class) and Alexandre Ribeiro (ranked 2378 p4p, 339 weight class). Ribeiro has chosen Bullet the Blue Sky as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Bagov
vs
Ribeiro

189 cm
24
215 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

183 cm
27
223 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

THE END 32

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ali Bagov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Alexandre Ribeiro!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Paulsen Ambrosius and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bagov drives through with a takedown into guard.
Bagov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Ribeiro keeping moving, preventing Bagov from controlling successfully.
Bagov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Bagov 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.

Ribeiro working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bagov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bagov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Bagov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Bagov trying to control but Ribeiro is working from the bottom.
Bagov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bagov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Ribeiro had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bagov defends it easily.

Ribeiro has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bagov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bagov trying to control but Ribeiro is working from the bottom.
Bagov scoring with some ground and pound.

Ribeiro working for submissions but it's allowed Bagov to get to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Ribeiro actively working from the bottom here.
Ribeiro wants to get back to full guard.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Bagov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ribeiro has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bagov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ribeiro does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ribeiro tries to get to full guard but Bagov has control of the leg.
Bagov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Ribeiro is trying to control but can't.
Ribeiro tries to roll over but Bagov keeps him under control.
Bagov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ribeiro has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bagov is working away from the top position though.

Bagov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro taking some punishment here, with Bagov in his half guard.
Ribeiro gets full guard.
Bagov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bagov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bagov landing some decent shots from guard.
Bagov won't allow Ribeiro to sweep him here.
Bagov stands up over Ribeiro, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Bagov lands a couple of digs.
Ribeiro is trying to control the position but Bagov postures up.
Bagov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ribeiro's head.
Bagov lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ribeiro is looking for a triangle but Bagov pushes his legs off easily.
Bagov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Bagov throws a big right hand that misses.

Ribeiro looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Bagov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ribeiro works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ribeiro is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Ribeiro looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bagov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ribeiro's head.
Ribeiro looking for a sweep. Not yet Ribeiro, not yet.

Ribeiro working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bagov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bagov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ali Bagov dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Bagov tests Ribeiro's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Bagov just misses with a punch to the body.
Ribeiro throws a shot to the body.
Bagov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ribeiro can do to turn this around?
Bagov lands with a hook. Ribeiro tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Bagov moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Bagov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Bagov is nestled in close to Ribeiro, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Bagov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Bagov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ribeiro sees it coming and defends easily.
Bagov prevents Ribeiro from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ribeiro trying to control but Bagov postures up.
Bagov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Ribeiro with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Bagov lands a nice short elbow.

Bagov is trying to work for a kimura but Ribeiro is defending well.
Ribeiro is looking for a sweep. Bagov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ribeiro regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Bagov.
Bagov postures up in Ribeiro's guard and throws a big left but Ribeiro blocks it.

Ribeiro had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bagov defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ribeiro looking for a guillotine here but Bagov defends easily.
Bagov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Bagov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bagov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Bagov postures up.
Bagov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bagov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ribeiro's head.
Bagov won't allow Ribeiro to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro has momentary wrist control but Bagov slips an elbow through the middle.

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

Ribeiro trying to control the position from guard on top but Bagov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Bagov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Ribeiro won't allow Bagov to sweep him here.
Bagov keeping moving, preventing Ribeiro from controlling successfully.
Ribeiro works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Bagov!
Bagov keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Bagov is flailing around, obviously not happy about being mounted. Ribeiro locks hold of one of his arms and spins for an armbar. He's got it! Bagov is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:38 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Alexandre Ribeiro!
Alexandre Ribeiro spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.