PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Farboleous Ricard (ranked 49 p4p, 9 weight class) and Pat Verbeek (ranked 37 p4p, 6 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Ricard might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Vibe Killer. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Pat Verbeek enters the cage!

Ricard
vs
Verbeek

172 cm
33
155 lbs
26 - 15 - 1

176 cm
38
167 lbs
28 - 11 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
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 26 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Farboleous Ricard!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pat Verbeek!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Andrew Berry and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ricard on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Verbeek. Verbeek obviously looking to wear him down.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Verbeek.
Ricard misses with a body punch
and Verbeek counters with an inside leg kick.
Verbeek 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.

Ricard forces Verbeek back against the cage and clinches.
Verbeek working aggressively here.
Verbeek blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ricard.
Ricard misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ricard throws a punch but it's blocked by Verbeek.
Ricard tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Verbeek blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Verbeek scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ricard swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Verbeek misses with a body punch.
Ricard tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ricard lands a left hand.
Ricard softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ricard definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Ricard has picked Verbeek up - he's going for a ride! Ricard dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Verbeek controlling the position for now.
Ricard wants to free his trapped foot but Verbeek is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ricard is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Verbeek has managed to free his arm - good work.
Ricard trying to pass the guard but Verbeek defending well.
Verbeek is controlling Ricard's trapped leg to prevent Ricard from advancing to side control.

Ricard wants to work for an arm triangle but Verbeek is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Ricard is looking for a kimura but Verbeek is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ricard to get the leverage.
Ricard prevents Verbeek from improving his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Verbeek is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's two 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.
Ricard wants to control but Verbeek is keeping him busy.
Ricard is thwarting Verbeek's attempts to control the position.

Ricard is working for a kimura but Verbeek is defending it quite comfortably.
Ricard sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Ricard is working for a submission of some sort.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ricard tries to pass the half guard into mount. Verbeek knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ricard trying to control the action but Verbeek is working from the bottom.
Ricard is looking to advance position but Verbeek won't allow it.
Ricard moves nicely into side control.
Ricard wants to control but Verbeek is keeping him busy.
The strikes coming from Ricard are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

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.
A lull in the action here as Ricard stalls from top position.

Ricard goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Verbeek rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Ricard's guard! Nice work there by Verbeek!

Verbeek got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ricard has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Verbeek has managed to get both his arms back between Ricard's legs - danger averted.
Ricard is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Ricard trying to keep a closed guard but Verbeek is proving a slippery customer.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Ricard had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Verbeek defends it easily.
Verbeek must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ricard working a defensive guard but Verbeek passes into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Farboleous Ricard dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ricard feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Verbeeks jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Verbeek misses with a straight left.
Ricard moves out of range of the strikes.
Ricard looks to score with a jab to the body but Verbeek is just out of range.
Verbeek counters with a body kick.
Verbeek moves into range and connects with a jab.
Verbeek looks to land a left hand but Ricard moved out of range nicely.
Verbeek blocks a jab.
A nice side step and Verbeek releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Verbeek throws a body shot but no joy.
Ricard tries to clinch but Verbeek moves away
and Verbeek counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nice cross by Ricard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Verbeek crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Ricard - the referee stops the clock and Verbeek gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Ricard. Verbeek manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Ricard dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Verbeek. That did some damage!
Ricard ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ricard takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ricard ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Verbeek moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verbeek ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ricard moves away.
Verbeek throws a body kick that misses.

Verbeek tries to keep at a distance but Ricard has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ricard is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Verbeek can do to turn this around?
Ricard working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Verbeek lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ricard backwards.
Ricard throws an elbow that misses.
Verbeek misses with a punch to the body.
Verbeek throws a head punch that misses.
Ricard misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ricard pushes Verbeek back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Verbeek lands with a light punch inside.
Verbeek softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ricard blocks an uppercut.
Ricard goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Verbeek misses with a hook to the ribs.
The referee is keeping an eye on Ricard - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Ricard makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Verbeek lands an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Verbeek misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ricard jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Verbeek walks away with a smile on his face. Ricard gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Nice uppercut lands for Ricard. That snapped Verbeek's head back.
Verbeek swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Ricard counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Verbeek thinking.
Farboleous Ricard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Verbeek fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Ricard is out of range.
Ricard wants to clinch up but Verbeek keeps it at a distance.
A telegraphed right hand from Verbeek misses the target.
Ricard lands a glancing blow to the side of Verbeek's head.
Verbeek swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Verbeek looks to score with a jab to the body but Ricard is just out of range.
Ricard bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Verbeek throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Ricard misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ricard scores with a nice strike.
Ricard fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Verbeek is out of range.
Ricard connects with a single shot there.
Pat Verbeek seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ricard swings widly with a right hand
and Verbeek counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Verbeek throws a predictable looking body shot
and Ricard counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Ricard misses the shot to the body.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Verbeek! But no joy.
Ricard moves into range and connects with a jab.
That kick from Verbeek tenderised Ricard's leg. Ricard is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ricard misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ricard ducks under a wild hook from Verbeek.
Verbeek rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ricard moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ricard scores with a three punch combo!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Verbeek checks a low kick from Ricard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Verbeek scores with a jab.
Verbeek misses with a looping right.
Verbeek throws a hook but Ricard avoids it easily.
Ricard lands with a nice body punch.
Ricard moves away from the strike by Verbeek.

Ricard closes the distance and clinches.
Ricard lands a left hand that snaps the head of Verbeek backwards.
Ricard blocks a body shot from Verbeek.
Verbeek can't find room to land a body shot as Ricard controls the action.
Ricard has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Verbeek is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Verbeek misses with a punch to the body.
Verbeek misses with a punch on the inside.
Verbeek blocks a body shot from Ricard.
Verbeek misses with the head strike.
A hook to the body from Verbeek.
Ricard working aggressively here.
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 Farboleous Ricard 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.

Ricard scores with a jab to the jaw.
Ricard lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Verbeek throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Ricard tests Verbeek's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ricard throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Verbeek throws a head kick but Ricard moves out of range.
Ricard's jab looks to have found its range, popping Verbeek under the eye.
Ricard throws a low kick but it's checked well by Verbeek.
Ricard wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Verbeek takes one to the side of the head.
Ricard throws a sloppy body shot
and Verbeek counters with a left to the body.
A bone on bone clash there as Verbeek blocks the leg kick.
Ricard connects with a single shot there.
Ricard thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Verbeek if he has to take too many more of those.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verbeek uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ricard.
Ricard lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ricard feints and then cracks Verbeek's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Verbeek down.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Ricard.
Verbeek misses with a hook.
Ricard fires out a quick counter leg kick but Verbeek just manages to avoid it.

Ricard darts in and clinches Verbeek up against the cage.
Verbeek doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A left hand lands to the body for Verbeek.
Verbeek gets underhooks to prevent Ricard's takedown attempt.
Verbeek can't find room to land a body shot as Ricard controls the action.
Verbeek lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ricard working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Verbeek lands a body punch in the clinch.
Ricard takes a shot to the head.
Verbeek tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ricard's elbow.
Ricard tries to stall but Verbeek uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ricard is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Verbeek scores with a shot to the side of Ricard's head.
Verbeek prevents the takedown attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ricard blocks an uppercut.
Ricard lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Still in the clinch, Ricard scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ricard lands a hook that snaps the head of Verbeek backwards.
Good body shot from Verbeek.
A short right from Verbeek on the inside.
Verbeek misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Good body shot from Verbeek.
Verbeek struggles to land a body shot inside as Ricard controls his hands.
Verbeek lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Ricard or not.
Ricard tries to throw a body punch but Verbeek avoids it by throwing Ricard back against the cage.
Verbeek works on Ricard's body with a couple of short punches.
Verbeek lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Verbeek goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Verbeek tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Verbeek pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ricard shoots in for a double leg but Verbeek sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Verbeek now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Farboleous Ricard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ricard slips under a jab from Verbeek.
As Verbeek backs away, Ricard returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Ricard lands with a right hand.
Ricard throws a poor cross that misses
enabling Verbeek to counter with a crisp jab.
Ricard throws a body kick that misses.
Ricard bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nice shot lands for Verbeek.
Ricard throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ricard throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
It seemed like Verbeek was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Verbeek lands a jab to the nose.
Ricard wants to slow Verbeek down by chopping away at his legs.
Verbeek is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Ricard with a body shot.
Verbeek scores with a body shot.
Verbeek takes a kick to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ricard takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Verbeek misses with a hook.
No luck for Ricard with that takedown attempt.
Pat Verbeek is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Verbeek catches Ricard with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
That kick from Verbeek tenderised Ricard's leg. Ricard is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ricard throws a lazy uppercut
and Verbeek counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Verbeek throws a low kick, looking for Ricard's leg but Ricard calmly moves out of range.
Verbeek throws a head kick that misses.
Verbeek tests Ricard's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Ricard is rocked!
Ricard throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Oh Ricard is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Ricard misses the shot to the body.
Verbeek looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Pat Verbeek just about did enough to take it.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Verbeek keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ricard.
Ricard seems to have got his legs back now.
Ricard swings for the body but Verbeek moves out of range.
Ricard walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A leg kick checked by Verbeek.
Verbeek buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Verbeek slaps away a takedown attempt from Ricard, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ricard tries to work over Verbeek's front leg with a kick but Verbeek checks it.
Nice takedown defense from Verbeek. No joy for Ricard on that attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ricard looks for the body kick but Verbeek saw that one coming.
Verbeek throws a jab but it's blocked by Ricard.
Ricard takes a swing at Verbeek's ribcage but misses.
A countering left hand to the body from Verbeek misses.
Ricard throws a sloppy head kick
and Verbeek counters with a stiff right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ricard misses with a telegraphed body shot
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Verbeek misses with a straight right.
Verbeek moves out of range as Ricard strikes.

Verbeek gets caught flat footed, as Ricard shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Ricard passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Verbeek is looking to reverse the position.
Ricard wants to lay and pray for a moment but Verbeek keeps working.
Verbeek tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Verbeek is not content to let Ricard control the position.
Verbeek is letting Ricard control him for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Verbeek tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Ricard is looking to take a break and control but Verbeek is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ricard fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Ricard wants to control but Verbeek is keeping him busy.
Ricard working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ricard postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

Ricard working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Ricard trying to control the action but Verbeek is working from the bottom.
Verbeek tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ricard wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Verbeek is not content to let Ricard control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

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

Ricard tries for a kimura but Verbeek is defending well.
Verbeek is trying to improve his position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Verbeek prevents Ricard from moving into mount.
Verbeek tries to buck Ricard off but Ricard is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Farboleous Ricard had his way with Pat Verbeek in that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Nice cross by Ricard.
Verbeek defending well as Ricard loads up on a big left hand.
Verbeek tries a quick counter leg kick but Ricard is wise to it.
Ricard lands a glancing blow to the side of Verbeek's head.
Verbeek scores with a jab to the body.
Verbeek throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ricard throws a front kick aimed at Verbeek's knee but Verbeek avoids it well.
A jab from Ricard misses.
Ricard throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

Ricard darts in and clinches Verbeek up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ricard misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ricard makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Verbeek tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ricard misses with a punch to the body.
Verbeek misses with a body punch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Verbeek.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verbeek takes a shot to the head.
Farboleous Ricard has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Verbeek tries to throw a body punch but Ricard avoids it by throwing Verbeek back against the cage.
Verbeek tries a body shot but Ricard blocks it.
Ricard works on Verbeek's body with a couple of short punches.
Ricard tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Verbeek's elbow.

Verbeek breaks from the clinch.
Ricard moves out of range of the leg kick from Verbeek.
Ricard lands with a thumping leg kick.

Ricard shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Ricard controlling the pace.
Ricard tries to pass the half guard into mount. Verbeek knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Pat Verbeek has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Farboleous Ricard overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ricard is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Verbeek sees it coming and defends easily.
Ricard trying to advance position but Verbeek counters by regaining guard.
Ricard passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Ricard swings around for an armbar but Verbeek sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Ricard's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ricard wants to sweep but no luck.
Ricard working a defensive guard here.
Ricard is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ricard trying to control the position.
Verbeek not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Verbeek preventing the sweep.

Ricard looking for a guillotine here but Verbeek defends easily.
Ricard trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Ricard looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Verbeek passes into half guard.

Ricard actively working from the bottom here.
Verbeek prevents Ricard from improving his position.

Ricard looking for submissions off his back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Verbeek sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ricard defending well though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Farboleous Ricard showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ricard 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 48:47
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 49:46
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Farboleous Ricard!
Farboleous Ricard retains his lightweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Farboleous Ricard thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.