PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mattia Ricon (ranked 6011 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Boxer (ranked 4816 p4p, 0 weight class). Mattia Ricon is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Ricon
vs
Boxer

192 cm
22
195 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

180 cm
20
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mattia Ricon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jack Boxer!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Winston Alpacca and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ricon throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Ricon keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Boxer closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Boxer lands in his opponent's guard.

Ricon manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Boxer fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Mattia Ricon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ricon throws a series of punches but Boxer avoids them all with ease.
Ricon walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Boxer checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Boxer looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Boxer blocks a head kick by Ricon.
Boxer is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ricon sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
It looked like Ricon was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Boxer tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ricon sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Boxer somewhat.
Mattia Ricon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Boxer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boxer shoots for a takedown but Ricon saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Boxer closes the distance looking to clinch
and Ricon counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ricon ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ricon tests Boxer's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Boxer closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ricon is trying to drag Boxer to the mat but Boxer just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Ricon is trying to drag Boxer to the mat but Boxer just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Ricon goes for a takedown attempt but Boxer pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boxer shoots for a takedown but Ricon saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Boxer tries to close the distance and clinch but Ricon swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Boxer closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ricon circles away.
Boxer looks winded!
Boxer takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Jack Boxer has been cut.
Ricon throws a sloppy head kick and Boxer moves out of range easily.
Boxer throws a head kick that misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ricon scores with a one two! Boxer had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Ricon tries a head kick but it misses.
Boxer shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ricon counters with a series of strikes. Boxer will be more careful next time no doubt.
A head kick misses from Boxer.
Ricon throws a leg kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ricon throws a sloppy head kick and Boxer moves out of range easily.
Ricon throws the kick towards the body but Boxer avoids it.
Ricon lands a really nice looking cross but Boxer seems unphased.
Ricon fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Boxer with the counter takedown but Ricon avoids it easily.
Ricon lands a nice looking body shot.
Boxer fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ricon lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Ricon.
Ricon lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Boxer backs up against the cage.
Ricon plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Ricon throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Boxer is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Ricon.
Ricon is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Ricon pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Boxer back to the cage. Ricon follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Ricon.
Ricon throws a head kick that misses.
Boxer flicks out a counter leg kick but Ricon steps away.
Ricon lands with a right hand.

Boxer drives through and clinches with Ricon against the cage.

Boxer pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ricon misses with a series of wild punches.
Ricon lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Boxer circles away quickly and effectively.
Boxer takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Boxer is looking to clinch but Ricon is avoiding it.
Ricon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mattia Ricon dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jack Boxer's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ricon throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Nice shot lands for Ricon.
Boxer rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Ricon counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Boxer tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ricon swivels and escapes.
Boxer tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ricon defends well and Boxer ends up having to push Ricon into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Ricon throws a sloppy head kick and Boxer moves out of range easily.
It seemed like Boxer was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Boxer misses with a takedown attempt
and Boxer takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mattia Ricon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Boxer.
Ricon tries a head kick but it misses.

Boxer clinches with his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ricon tries to pull guard but Boxer forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
The referee calls for Boxer to work.
Boxer is breathing heavily.
Ricon tries for a takedown but Boxer manages to get underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ricon lands a nice uppercut.

Ricon has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Boxer uses from the top position.
Ricon pulls Boxer in close to prevent any damage.
Ricon on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Ricon tries to get out of the position.
Boxer wants to stand and escape but instead Ricon has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Ricon postures up in Boxer's guard and throws a big left but Boxer blocks it.
Boxer looking to control.
Ricon missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ricon looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Boxer is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ricon looking to pass the guard.
Ricon will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Ricon trying to control the position from guard on top but Boxer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ricon knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Boxer on the ground.
Ricon not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Ricon throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ricon wants to control from the top but Boxer keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boxer looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Ricon puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Ricon controlling the action here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Boxer manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Ricon is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Ricon throwing strikes but missing.
Ricon sitting in guard here, content to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Ricon is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Jab from Ricon.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ricon misses with the combination.
Mattia Ricon is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ricon throws a right hand that Boxer ducks under and follows up with a left that Boxer also avoids with ease.
Boxer darts in trying to clinch
and Boxer takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Boxer keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ricon scores with the left hand. Boxer knows he should have avoided that one.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ricon gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Boxer counters with a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mattia Ricon dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jack Boxer's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! 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.

Boxer throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Ricon counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
No luck for Boxer with that takedown attempt.
Ricon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Boxer misses with a takedown attempt
and Ricon counters with a two punch combo.
Boxer gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Ricon counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mattia Ricon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Boxer.
Ricon stuffs the takedown.
Ricon throws a solid leg kick but Boxer takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Ricon.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A clash of legs there as Boxer blocks the low kick.
Boxer is looking for the big counter here.
Boxer shoots in for a takedown but Ricon shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ricon seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Ricon moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Boxer takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ricon throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Boxer on the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boxer takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Boxer dodges the punch combination from Ricon.
Ricon looks to land a body kick but Boxer moved away.
Ricon throws a leg kick but Boxer sees it coming and moves out of range.
Ricon fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Ricon scores with a body shot.
Ricon lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Boxer is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Ricon.
Ricon connects with a body shot that sends Boxer's belly button to the back.
Boxer walks into a jab.
Boxer has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ricon connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ricon.
Ricon lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Boxer showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ricon.
Nice sprawl there from Ricon as Boxer shoots in.
Ricon lands a glancing blow to the side of Boxer's head.
Left hook, right uppercut from Ricon.
Boxer takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Boxer tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ricon manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Boxer takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Boxer wants to clinch
enabling Ricon to counter with a crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab lands there for Ricon.
Boxer tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ricon swivels and escapes.
Ricon looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Ricon.
Boxer is looking for a sweep.
Boxer can't do much from the bottom here.
Ricon passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Boxer!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ricon working Boxer over with strikes here.
Boxer is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Ricon lands a big shot there that rocks Boxer but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ricon throws some wild stikes that Boxer manages to avoid easily.

Ricon working for a guillotine from mount but Boxer is in no mood to give up.
Boxer is bucking up trying to escape but Ricon cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ricon trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Boxer is wriggling around trying to escape.
Ricon lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ricon in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Jack Boxer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mattia Ricon is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ricon controlling his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mattia Ricon showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ricon, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Dirk Anderson scores the fight 30:26
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 30:26
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mattia Ricon!