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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mathew Ridgeway (ranked 223 p4p, 23 weight class) and Hannibal Barca (ranked 974 p4p, 114 weight class). Ridgeway kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is The Forgotten War. Barca has chosen Carthage as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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| 174 cm
37
159 lbs
36 - 16 - 1 |
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175 cm
37
165 lbs
29 - 13 - 0 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
36 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Mathew Ridgeway!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
29 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hannibal Barca!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Sam Margolis and James Glass.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ridgeway lands a jab to the head.
Ridgeway throws an off balance right hand
and Barca counters with a right hand to the body.
Ridgeway scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Ridgeway turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Barca closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Ridgeway quickly recovers to half guard.
Ridgeway makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Barca has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ridgeway lands with a thumping leg kick.
Barca keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Barca misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ridgeway.
Barca moves out of range of the strikes.
Barca feints the counter takedown.
Barca throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ridgeway sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ridgeway loads up on a big right hand but Barca slips the punch.
Mathew Ridgeway seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barca pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Barca blocks a jab.
And Barca tries to counter it with a takedown but Ridgeway pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Ridgeway misses with an attempted mid kick.
Barca throws an overhand right that lands on Ridgeway's shoulder, as Ridgeway tries to avoid the shot.
Ridgeway does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Ridgeway fakes the leg kick and cracks Barca in the body.
Ridgeway fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Barca manages to avoid it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ridgeway fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ridgeway punishes Barca's body with a nice straight punch.
Ridgeway lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Barca scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Ridgeway throws a quick inside leg kick.
Ridgeway avoids the body shot from Barca.
Ridgeway moves into range and connects with a jab.
Donk. Ridgeway catches Barca right on the button with a cross.
Ridgeway ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Barca moves away.
Ridgeway misses with a body shot.
Ridgeway ducks under a wild hook from Barca.
Ridgeway looks to land a left hand but Barca moved out of range nicely.
Barca doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Ridgeway looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Mathew Ridgeway is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ridgeway is looking to slow Barca down with leg kicks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ridgeway throws a leg kick but Barca sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ridgeway fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Barca.
No joy there for Barca, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ridgeway ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Barca moves away.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ridgeway throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jab from Ridgeway.
Barca looks to score with a jab to the body but Ridgeway is just out of range.
Barca uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ridgeway.
Ridgeway finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Barca checks a leg kick.
Ridgeway misses with an uppercut. Barca saw that one coming.
Barca connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Ridgeway connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Barca momentarily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ridgeway. Barca does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ridgeway tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ridgeway takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Ridgeway swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ridgeway fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A jab from Barca does it's job there.
Ridgeway throws a leg kick but Barca checks it.
Ridgeway throws a solid leg kick but Barca takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Ridgeway.
Ridgeway ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ridgeway connects with a looping right hand.
Ridgeway missing with a left hand there. Barca was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Barca feints the counter takedown.
Ridgeway loads up on a big right hand but Barca slips the punch.
Ridgeway misses with a body shot.
Some bone on bone action there as Barca checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Barca looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Barca on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ridgeway. Ridgeway obviously looking to wear him down.
Ridgeway throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Barca misses with a looping right.
Barca avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Barca changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Barca thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ridgeway throws a wild body kick that Barca sees coming a mile off.
A solid body kick from Ridgeway.
Barca throws the left hand but Ridgeway avoids the punch easily.
Ridgeway lands a slapping body shot.
Ridgeway lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ridgeway shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Barca misses with a looping right.
Barca is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ridgeway.
Barca's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ridgeway misses with a leg kick
and Barca counters with a shoot takedown. Ridgeway fights it but they end up in guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barca forces his way into half guard.
Barca missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ridgeway wants to get back to full guard.
Barca is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Barca trying to control the pace.
Barca not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Barca throwing shots but Ridgeway is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Mathew Ridgeway dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Ridgeway with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ridgeway looks to score with a jab to the body but Barca is just out of range.
Barca throws a nice looking combination but Ridgeway bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ridgeway misses the jab.
Ridgeway scores with a nice right hand.
Ridgeway looks to land a left hand but Barca moved out of range nicely.
Barca looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Ridgeway fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Barca.
Ridgeway blocks a jab.
The fighters circling - Barca throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A jab from Barca misses.
Ridgeway throws a hook to the side of Barca's head but Barca sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
It seemed like Barca was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Barca swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barca throws a hook but Ridgeway avoids it easily.
Ridgeway ducks under a wild hook from Barca.
Mathew Ridgeway is winning the standup battle so far.
Barca listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Ridgeway pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Ridgeway lands a nice leg kick that just misses Barca's sensitive parts.
Ridgeway throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ridgeway swings away with a body shot that misses
and Barca counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Barca takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Barca walks into a straight right hand from Ridgeway.
Nice defenses there by Ridgeway.
Ridgeway throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Ridgeway scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Ridgeway throws a looping overhand right but Barca ducks down to avoid it.
Ridgeway swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Barca jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ridgeway dips to his left and cracks Barca with an uppercut!
Ridgeway swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Ridgeway walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Ridgeway moves away from the strike by Barca.
Barca looks to score with a jab to the body but Ridgeway is just out of range.
Ridgeway lands a leg kick that knocks Barca off balance momentarily.
Ridgeway looks to throw a body kick
and Barca counters with a takedown into side control.
Barca has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barca in side control, throwing shots but Ridgeway defends.
Hannibal Barca has got the better of the ground game so far.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ridgeway is not content to let Barca control the position.
Ridgeway takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Ridgeway is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Barca has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Barca creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Ridgeway sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Ridgeway throws Barca to one side and escapes!
Ridgeway fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Barca has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Barca stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ridgeway.
Ridgeway scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Ridgeway waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Barca.
Barca changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Ridgeway lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ridgeway misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Barca.
Ridgeway just misses with a punch to the body.
Barca looks to score with a jab to the body but Ridgeway is just out of range.
Barca on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Ridgeway lands a jab to the nose.
Ridgeway lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Barca throws a hook but Ridgeway blocks it.
Barca tests Ridgeway's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ridgeway just misses with a punch to the body.
Ridgeway uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Barca.
Barca throws a big shot that misses.
Barca looks to land a left hand but Ridgeway moved out of range nicely.
Barca throws out a loose jab but Ridgeway uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ridgeway scores with a hook to the body. Barca takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Barca pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Barca clobbers Ridgeway with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barca takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by Barca.
Barca misses the jab.
Ridgeway takes a jab right on the kisser.
Barca uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ridgeway.
A big right from Barca misses.
Ridgeway scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Barca looks to throw the jab but Ridgeway is out of range.
Ridgeway misses with a straight left.
Ridgeway fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Barca manages to avoid it.
Barca throws a good cross that connects.
Barca throws a hook but Ridgeway avoids it easily.
A clash of legs there as Barca blocks the low kick.
Ridgeway with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A telegraphed right hand from Ridgeway misses the target.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A slow jab from Barca misses its intended target.
Barca connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Ridgeway slips a straight right by Barca.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Mathew Ridgeway will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Ridgeway misses with a low kick as Barca jumps back.
Barca takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Barca misses with a straight left.
Ridgeway closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Ridgeway looks to land a right hand but Barca moved out of range.
Ridgeway throws a lazy right hand but Barca sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Barca keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ridgeway connects with a jab.
Ridgeway throws a low kick but it's checked well by Barca.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ridgeway. Barca does a little dance to reset his feet.
A jab lands there for Barca.
Ridgeway tries to work over Barca's front leg with a kick but Barca checks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barca throws an overhand right that lands on Ridgeway's shoulder, as Ridgeway tries to avoid the shot.
Ridgeway displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Barca throws out the jab.
Barca moves out of range of the body kick from Ridgeway.
A jab from Ridgeway does it's job there.
Barca tries to move into range but Ridgeway moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ridgeway with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ridgeway feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Barca's calf.
Ridgeway slips under a jab from Barca.
Ridgeway will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Barca takes one to the chin there.
Ridgeway uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Barca.
Ridgeway tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Barca is able to avoid easily.
Barca scores with a hook.
Barca cracks a nice hook into Ridgeway's ribs.
That kick from Ridgeway tenderised Barca's leg. Barca is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ridgeway throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Barca on the side of the head.
Ridgeway tries to score with a low kick but Barca moves his leg out of the way.
Ridgeway throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Barca takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Barca might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Barca throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ridgeway misses with a left hand
and Barca counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A low kick from Ridgeway is predictable there
letting Barca counter with a right hand.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barca blocks a leg kick.
An inside leg kick from Ridgeway misses.
A shot to the body from Ridgeway misses
and Ridgeway takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Barca has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A swing and a miss from Ridgeway.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Ridgeway, right into the meat.
Ridgeway feints and then cracks Barca's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Barca down.
Ridgeway throws a right hand that misses
and Barca counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ridgeway chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Ridgeway tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Barca was well out of range. Poor timing from Ridgeway.
Ridgeway throws a leg kick that is checked
letting Barca counter with a right hand.
Ridgeway motions for Barca to come forward. Ridgeway throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ridgeway lands a lovely overhand right.
Ridgeway attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Barca with the counter takedown but Ridgeway avoids it easily.
Ridgeway ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Barca moves away.
Ridgeway tries to land a leg kick but Barca saw it coming and moves away.
Ridgeway keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Barca.
Barca misses with a looping right.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barca jabs Ridgeway right on the nose. Ridgeway blinks but takes it well.
A slow jab from Ridgeway misses its intended target.
Ridgeway lands a nice looking kick to the body. Barca takes a step back to recover.
Barca scores with a decent looking hook.
Ridgeway throws a leg kick that misses.
It seemed like Barca was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Barca keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ridgeway steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Barca.
Ridgeway feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Ridgeway is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Barca can do to turn this around?
Barca connects with a nice looking jab.
Ridgeway thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ridgeway wants to slow Barca down by chopping away at his legs.
Barca misses the jab.
A slapping leg kick lands for Ridgeway.
Ridgeway misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Barca.
Ridgeway slips a straight right by Barca.
Barca chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ridgeway can pounce on him.
Ridgeway lands with a good body shot.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barca fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Ridgeway looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barca jabbing away but nothing is landing.
As Barca backs away, Ridgeway returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Barca looks to throw the jab but Ridgeway is out of range.
It appears Ridgeway was looking to counter with a kick there.
Ridgeway misses with a low kick.
Ridgeway scoring well with a low kick there.
Barca scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Ridgeway throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Barca checks the leg kick.
Barca slips under a jab from Ridgeway.
A lazy left from Ridgeway finds it's target.
Barca tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ridgeway was well out of range. Poor timing from Barca.
Ridgeway tries to work over Barca's front leg with a kick but Barca checks it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ridgeway misses with a low kick.
Barca takes a jab right on the kisser.
Ridgeway lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A telegraphed right hand from Barca misses the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Mathew Ridgeway clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Ridgeway throws a predictable looking body shot
and Ridgeway takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Barca moves forwards but Ridgeway connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Ridgeway throws a quick inside leg kick.
Barca throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Barca moves out of range as Ridgeway strikes.
Ridgeway misses with a low kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Barca! But no joy.
Ridgeway throws a leg kick but Barca checks it.
Ridgeway chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Ridgeway ducks under a wild hook from Barca.
Barca lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Ridgeway explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Barca defending well as Ridgeway loads up on a big left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ridgeway misses with an uppercut.
Ridgeway throws a low kick but Barca moves out of range easily.
Barca keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Barca scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ridgeway doesn't seem bothered though.
Barca moves out of range of the body kick from Ridgeway.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ridgeway moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Barca tests Ridgeway's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ridgeway misses with an uppercut.
Barca swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ridgeway's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Barca connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Ridgeway scrambles back to his feet.
Ridgeway throws a low kick, looking for Barca's leg but Barca calmly moves out of range.
Barca takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Barca throws an overhand right that lands on Ridgeway's shoulder, as Ridgeway tries to avoid the shot.
Barca fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Barca scores with a nice strike.
Ridgeway throws a leg kick but Barca checks it.
Ridgeway throws a low kick but it's checked well by Barca.
Barca checks a leg kick.
Barca checks a low kick from Ridgeway.
Barca has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Ridgeway finds it's way round the side to connect with Barca's head.
A big right from Barca misses.
Ridgeway fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Barca.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Nice shot by Barca.
Barca throws a hook but Ridgeway avoids it easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ridgeway. Barca does a little dance to reset his feet.
It seemed like Barca was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Good shot there by Ridgeway.
The fighters circling - Ridgeway throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ridgeway throws a leg kick but Barca moved away.
Barca lands with a hook. Ridgeway tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Ridgeway misses with a leg kick
and Barca counters with a shoot takedown. Ridgeway fights it but they end up in guard.
Barca stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ridgeway swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Barca trying to control the position from guard on top but Ridgeway is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Barca is in close to Ridgeway's body, working some short punches and elbows.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barca looking to sit in guard and control but Ridgeway gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Barca wants to sweep here but Ridgeway controlling him for the moment.
Ridgeway has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Ridgeway 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ridgeway won't allow Barca to sweep him here.
Ridgeway is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Barca wants to sweep but no luck.
Barca controlling Ridgeway's posture.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Ridgeway wants to stand but Barca has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Ridgeway 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.
Ridgeway won't allow Barca to sweep him here.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Ridgeway advances to half guard.
Ridgeway wants to stand but Barca has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Barca is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close fourth round but I would say that Mathew Ridgeway will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Ridgeway, right into the meat.
Ridgeway drops his hands momentarily and Barca takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A bone on bone clash there as Barca blocks the leg kick.
Barca throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Barca jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ridgeway missing with a left hand there. Barca was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ridgeway throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ridgeway keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Barca.
Ridgeway is looking to chop away at Barca's legs.
Barca loads up on a big right hand but Ridgeway slips the punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ridgeway throws a lazy uppercut
and Barca counters with a stiff right hand.
Ridgeway missing with a left hand there. Barca was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Barca throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ridgeway sees it coming and avoids it easily.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Barca checks a leg kick.
A leg kick checked by Barca.
Barca moves away from the strike by Ridgeway.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ridgeway blocks a jab.
As Barca tries to get set, Ridgeway tries to push him back and clinch up but Barca manages to avoid the attempt.
Ridgeway looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A low kick from Ridgeway is predictable there
and Barca cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Barca takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Ridgeway misses with a straight left.
Barca just misses with a punch to the body.
Ridgeway throws a jab but it's blocked by Barca.
And Barca tries to counter it with a takedown but Ridgeway pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Ridgeway will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Barca takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Barca looks to throw the jab but Ridgeway is out of range.
Ridgeway is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Barca.
Ridgeway moves away from the strike by Barca.
Ridgeway misses the shot to the body.
Ridgeway throws out a loose jab but Barca uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ridgeway misses with an uppercut.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ridgeway throws a lazy body kick
and Barca counters with a single leg into guard. Ridgeway didn't expect that.
Barca stops Ridgeway from standing up.
Barca trying to control the position from guard on top but Ridgeway is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barca pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ridgeway is keeping the position for now.
Ridgeway trying to keep a closed guard but Barca is proving a slippery customer.
Barca trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Barca postures up in Ridgeway's guard and throws a big left but Ridgeway blocks it.
Barca wants to control from the top but Ridgeway keeps moving.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barca's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ridgeway tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Barca misses with a wild body shot.
Ridgeway with a hook.
Barca moves out of range of the body kick from Ridgeway.
Ridgeway tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Barca was well out of range. Poor timing from Ridgeway.
Ridgeway throws a leg kick that is checked
and Barca counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Barca controlling the pace.
Barca trying to control from half guard but Ridgeway is working away.
Hannibal Barca has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ridgeway moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ridgeway wants to stand up but Barca is controlling him.
Mathew Ridgeway is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Barca scoring with some ground and pound.
Ridgeway pulls Barca in close to prevent any damage.
Barca is working Ridgeway over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Barca throwing strikes from guard but Ridgeway blocks nicely.
Barca throwing strikes but missing.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Hannibal Barca.
I think Ridgeway 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 49:46
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 47:48
Judge James Glass scores the fight 49:46
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Mathew Ridgeway!
Mathew Ridgeway is the new lightweight champion!
Our winner, Mathew Ridgeway, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
Hannibal Barca spoke after the fight, saying 'I will either find a way, or make one.'.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
71% |
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