PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yoel Edson (ranked 4878 p4p, 510 weight class) and DeMarcus Ridley (ranked 4786 p4p, 506 weight class). DeMarcus Ridley struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 186.4lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Edson
vs
Ridley

186 cm
24
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
198 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Self confident

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Yoel Edson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, DeMarcus Ridley!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Paul Aken and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ridley swinging wildly here.

Edson drops Ridley with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Ridley looks back up at him and smiles so Edson waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.
Ridley rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Edson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ridley dives in and grabs Edson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Edson pushes down on Ridley's head and hops out.
Ridley avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
As Edson backs off Ridley throws a huge counter combo but Edson manages to avoid it all.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Edson lands a big right hand that sends Ridley crashing to the mat! Edson stays standing though and waves Ridley back to his feet!

Ridley is rocked!
Edson throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Ridley counters with a nice double leg into side control. Edson won't be happy with that.
Ridley is still in real trouble! Can Edson finish him?

Ridley is trying to get an arm triangle but Edson is defending well.
Edson dodges the ground and pound from Ridley.
Ridley seems to have recovered his senses.
Ridley throws an elbow but Edson slips to the side and avoids it well.

Ridley stands up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Edson misses the target.
Ridley is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Edson throws a poor cross that misses

and Ridley counters with a single leg into guard. Edson didn't expect that.

Ridley drops back looking for a leg! Edson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Edson manages to kick Ridley off! Ridley jumps back into Edson's guard.
Ridley wants to control from the top but Edson keeps moving.

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

Edson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Edson throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Edson postures up in Ridley's guard and throws a big left but Ridley blocks it.
Edson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've been hearing that Edson has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Ridley working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Edson.
Ridley lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Ridley has gone for a leg lock! Edson slips out almost immediately though and dives into Ridley's guard.

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Edson throwing strikes from guard but Ridley blocks nicely.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Edson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ridley can do anything to dispel that myth.
Edson throws a big right hand that misses.
Ridley working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Edson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ridley preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Edson won't allow Ridley to sweep him here.
Edson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Edson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ridley avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Edson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ridley is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ridley is adopting a defensive guard.
Ridley looks winded!
Edson throwing strikes but missing.
Edson throwing strikes from guard but Ridley blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ridley preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Edson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ridley is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Edson throws a lazy uppercut

and Ridley counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Ridley looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Ridley wants to take a breather but Edson is having none of it.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Ridley is looking for a kimura here.
Ridley thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Edson's head.
Ridley wants to take a breather but Edson is having none of it.

Edson makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Edson scores with a sloppy right hand. Ridley should have avoided that one.
A telegraphed right hand from Edson misses the target.
Ridley ducks under a wild hook from Edson.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Edson sends Ridley crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Edson is motioning to the referee to let Ridley up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Edson cracks Ridley with a big right hand that sends him crashing to the floor. Edson has the opportunity to follow him to the ground but instead he's beckoning Ridley to stand back up!
Edson misses with a left hand

and Ridley counters with a takedown into side control.

Ridley decides to stand back up.
Edson misses with an uppercut. Ridley saw that one coming.
Edson misses with a left hand

and Ridley counters with a nice double leg into side control. Edson won't be happy with that.

Ridley wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Edson, who protects the arm well.
Ridley 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.

Ridley is trying to get an arm triangle but Edson is defending well.

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

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

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

Ridley is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Edson is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's eight 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.

Ridley is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Edson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Ridley tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Ridley is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Edson is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Ridley looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Ridley working the ground and pound but Edson is defending the strikes.

Ridley tries for a kimura but Edson is defending well.
Edson is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoel Edson dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Ridley throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Edson.
Edson rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Ridley counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Edson is trying to stand back up but Ridley is controlling him

Ridley is working for a kimura here but Edson manages to reverse the position and he's now in Ridley's guard.
Edson throws an elbow that misses. Ridley uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Edson's guard. Nice move by Ridley!

Edson keeping moving, preventing Ridley from controlling successfully.
Ridley postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ridley passes Edson's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Ridley stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Edson to get to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ridley bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Edson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ridley uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Edson.
Ridley looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Ridley goes for a double leg but Edson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Edson continues to drive forward.
Edson throws a poor cross that misses

and Ridley counters with a single leg into guard. Edson didn't expect that.
Edson keeping moving, preventing Ridley from controlling successfully.
Ridley is pushing down on Edson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Edson is fighting to maintain full guard but Ridley has managed to sneak the leg through.
Still in half guard, Ridley seems content to control.
Edson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ridley can do to turn this around?
Edson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ridley looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Ridley seems to be working for a kimura but Edson defends the submission attempt.

Ridley is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Edson is just riding it out for now. Ridley eventually gives up the hold.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

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

Ridley is working for a kimura but Edson is defending it quite comfortably.

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.
Ridley is looking to take a break and control but Edson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
DeMarcus Ridley has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ridley passes to side control.

Ridley swings around for an armbar but Edson sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Ridley's guard.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Edson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Edson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ridley manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Edson manages to get himself to full guard.

Ridley looking to sit in guard and control but Edson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Ridley looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ridley manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Edson manages to get himself to full guard.

Edson keeping full guard, as Ridley tries to pass.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Ridley trying to control but Edson is working from the bottom.
Ridley sitting in guard here, content to control.

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

Ridley seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Edson is looking to work some ground and pound but Ridley has wrist control.
Ridley utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Edson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Edson gets to his feet. Ridley looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Yoel Edson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Edson is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Ridley has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Ridley there as he acknowledges the shot.
Ridley walks into a stiff left hand from Edson.
Ridley fails to land the takedown.
Edson connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Ridley shoots in but Edson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Yoel Edson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of DeMarcus Ridley.
Ridley uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Edson.
Edson lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Edson misses with a looping right.
Ridley throws a hook but Edson blocks it.
Edson misses with a looping right.
Edson lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Edson lands with an overhand left.
Edson misses with a lunging right hand

and Ridley counters with a shoot takedown. Edson fights it but they end up in guard.

Edson is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Ridley jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Edson walks away with a smile on his face. Ridley gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Good shot there by Edson.
The fighters circling - Edson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ridley throws a sloppy head kick and Edson moves out of range easily.
Ridley takes one to the chin there.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Edson lands with a right hand.
Yoel Edson is winning the standup battle so far.
Ridley steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Edson.
Edson is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Ridley keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Edson.
Ridley slips under a jab from Edson.
A telegraphed right hand from Edson misses the target.
Ridley changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Ridley shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Edson sprawls well. Edson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ridley gets slowly back to his feet.
DeMarcus Ridley has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Edson throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Ridley counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Ridley not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ridley throwing shots but Edson is blocking nicely.
Yoel Edson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Edson 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.
Ridley throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yoel Edson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Edson 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 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight for Yoel Edson!
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight for Yoel Edson!
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight for Yoel Edson!

Yoel Edson wins by unanimous decision!