PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Juan Marfaker (ranked 2303 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexandre Ribeiro (ranked 4334 p4p, 0 weight class). Ribeiro has chosen Ratos de Porao - Sofrer as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Marfaker
vs
Ribeiro

208 cm
38
218 lbs
33 - 14 - 0

183 cm
32
226 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 33 - 14 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Juan Marfaker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alexandre Ribeiro!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ribeiro is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Ribeiro takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Marfaker throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ribeiro.
Marfaker connects with a leg kick. Ribeiro looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Marfaker really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Marfaker scoring well with a low kick there.
Ribeiro throws an overhand right that lands on Marfaker's shoulder, as Marfaker tries to avoid the shot.
Ribeiro misses with a hook. Marfaker ducked under it nicely.
Ribeiro misses with a wild body shot.
A slapping body kick lands there for Marfaker.
Marfaker swings for the body but Ribeiro moves out of range.
Ribeiro keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ribeiro throws a lazy right hand but Marfaker sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Marfaker scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Marfaker dodges the punch combination from Ribeiro.
Marfaker scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A big left from Ribeiro misses.
Marfaker lands the left hand.
Ribeiro doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marfaker misses with a body shot.
Marfaker lands a nice looking body shot.
Marfaker jabs Ribeiro to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Ribeiro misses with a double jab
and Marfaker counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Marfaker lands a leg kick that knocks Ribeiro off balance momentarily.
Marfaker scores with a jab. Ribeiro acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Marfaker lands a leg kick that knocks Ribeiro off balance momentarily.
Marfaker is looking to wear down Ribeiro with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Marfaker staying out of range there.
Marfaker scores with a kick to the body.
Ribeiro just misses with a punch to the body.
A little feinted left hand from Marfaker on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Marfaker cracks Ribeiro with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Ribeiro throws a body shot but no joy.
Marfaker slips a jab and a cross from Ribeiro.
A counter left hand to the body from Marfaker misses its target.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Marfaker ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ribeiro moves away.
That kick from Marfaker tenderised Ribeiro's leg. Ribeiro is trying to keep his angry face on.
Marfaker scores with a leg kick.
Marfaker lands a nice looking body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro throws a series of punches but Marfaker moves out of range.
Marfaker misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ribeiro.
Marfaker cracks Ribeiro with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Good leg kick by Marfaker there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Marfaker fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Ribeiro on the side of the head.
Marfaker thows a body kick. Ribeiro tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Marfaker tries to move into range but Ribeiro moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Marfaker connects with a high kick.
Marfaker takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Marfaker fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ribeiro manages to avoid it.
Marfaker is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Ribeiro takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Marfaker lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Marfaker misses with a hook to the body
and Ribeiro counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ribeiro throws a hook but Marfaker avoids it easily.
Marfaker tried to counter with a leg kick but Ribeiro avoided it.
Ribeiro takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A big left from Ribeiro misses.
Marfaker scores with a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A lazy left from Marfaker finds it's target.
Marfaker lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Ribeiro has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Marfaker.
Jab from Marfaker.
Marfaker attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Marfaker bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Ribeiro's head backwards.
Ribeiro's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Marfaker throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Marfaker tries a low kick but Ribeiro avoids it.
Good shot there by Marfaker.
Marfaker is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Marfaker keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ribeiro takes a jab right on the kisser.
Marfaker throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Marfaker uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ribeiro has time to react.
Ribeiro takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Marfaker ducks under a wild hook from Ribeiro.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marfaker lands a nice shot to the body.
Ribeiro lands a slapping body shot.
Ribeiro shoots for a takedown but Marfaker saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ribeiro chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Marfaker can pounce on him.
Ribeiro shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Marfaker as he jumps to the side.
Juan Marfaker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexandre Ribeiro.
A head kick from Marfaker lands but Ribeiro takes it in his stride.
Marfaker cracks Ribeiro with a good jab.
Marfaker misses with a wild body shot.
Ribeiro tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Marfaker moves out of range as Ribeiro strikes.
Marfaker fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ribeiro.
Marfaker moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Marfaker moves into range and connects with a jab.
Marfaker explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Marfaker throws a nice inside leg kick.
Ribeiro has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Marfaker finds it's way round the side to connect with Ribeiro's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Marfaker dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ribeiro misses with an uppercut. Marfaker saw that one coming.
And Marfaker counters with a quick kick to the body but Ribeiro blocks it.
Marfaker displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ribeiro throws out the jab.
A counter left hand to the body from Marfaker misses its target.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Ribeiro might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Marfaker has got the better of the exchanges.
Marfaker jabs Ribeiro to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Marfaker scores with a spinning back kick!
A jab from Marfaker does it's job there.
Marfaker swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Marfaker misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ribeiro has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Marfaker.
Ribeiro takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Marfaker lands the left hand.
Ribeiro throws an overhand right that lands on Marfaker's shoulder, as Marfaker tries to avoid the shot.

Ribeiro darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Marfaker blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ribeiro.

Ribeiro 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.
Ribeiro is keen to just control but Marfaker is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Ribeiro connects with a nice short shot to Marfaker's temple.
Marfaker is controlling Ribeiro's position as best he can from this difficult position.

Ribeiro is working for a kimura but Marfaker is defending it quite comfortably.
Ribeiro has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ribeiro wants to pass the guard but Marfaker is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Marfaker wants to get back to full guard.

Ribeiro seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Marfaker has recovered full guard.
Ribeiro postures up in Marfaker's guard and throws a big left but Marfaker blocks it.
Ribeiro trying to control the position from guard on top but Marfaker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ribeiro trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Marfaker wants to stand up but Ribeiro is controlling him.
Ribeiro pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Marfaker is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Marfaker holds on and takes a little breather.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Marfaker. Ribeiro does a little dance to reset his feet.
Juan Marfaker is winning the standup battle so far.
Marfaker misses the jab.
A chopping leg kick lands by Marfaker.
Marfaker cracks a nice hook into Ribeiro's ribs.
Ribeiro throws a jab but it's blocked by Marfaker.
As Ribeiro backs away, Marfaker returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Ribeiro throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ribeiro swings for the body but Marfaker moves out of range.
Marfaker is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ribeiro can do to turn this around?
Ribeiro gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Marfaker throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ribeiro stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A shot to the liver by Marfaker. Beautiful body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Marfaker.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ribeiro. Marfaker does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ribeiro takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Ribeiro thows a left - swing and a miss!
Marfaker slips a jab from Ribeiro.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Marfaker avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Juan Marfaker is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ribeiro on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Marfaker's jab looks to have found its range, popping Ribeiro under the eye.
Marfaker moves out of range as Ribeiro strikes.
Marfaker works the jab nicely.
Ribeiro is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Ribeiro takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Marfaker bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ribeiro misses with a wild body shot.

Ribeiro shoots in and bounces Marfaker off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Ribeiro is breathing heavily.
Marfaker is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Marfaker dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Marfaker scores with a jab to the jaw.
Ribeiro is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Marfaker throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ribeiro just misses with a punch to the body.
Marfaker 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.
Marfaker lands a jab to Ribeiro's midsection.
Marfaker throws a body punch but Ribeiro moves out of range.
Marfaker connects with a body shot.
Ribeiro shoots in and drives through. Marfaker sprawls well.
Marfaker misses the shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ribeiro takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Ribeiro stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Marfaker.
Ribeiro looks to throw the jab but Marfaker is out of range.
Marfaker fires out a quick counter leg kick but Ribeiro just manages to avoid it.
Ribeiro throws an overhand right that lands on Marfaker's shoulder, as Marfaker tries to avoid the shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ribeiro misses with a takedown
and Marfaker counters with a left to the body.
Ribeiro takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marfaker bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Ribeiro's head backwards.
Ribeiro throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Marfaker to counter with a crisp jab.
Marfaker connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Ribeiro momentarily.
Ribeiro throws a hook but Marfaker avoids it easily.
Ribeiro takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Marfaker fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Marfaker lands a jab to Ribeiro's midsection.
Marfaker punishes Ribeiro's body with a nice straight punch.
No joy there for Ribeiro, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ribeiro misses with a lunging right hand
and Marfaker counters with a stiff right hand.
Marfaker feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ribeiro's calf.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A lazy left from Marfaker finds it's target.
Marfaker with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ribeiro walks into a jab.
Ribeiro looks to land a combination but Marfaker avoids it well.
A nice leg kick lands there from Marfaker.
Alexandre Ribeiro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marfaker lands a nice shot that snaps Ribeiro's head back.
Jab from Marfaker.
Marfaker scores with a nice strike.
Marfaker throws a head kick that misses.
Ribeiro takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Marfaker scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ribeiro doesn't seem bothered though.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Ribeiro crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Marfaker - the referee stops the clock and Ribeiro gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Marfaker. Ribeiro manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Ribeiro has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Marfaker darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Ribeiro on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ribeiro chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Marfaker can pounce on him.
Marfaker works Ribeiro's body with a nice hook.
Marfaker feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ribeiro's calf.
Ribeiro takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Ribeiro takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Marfaker scores with a head kick.
Marfaker lands with a hook. Ribeiro tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro lands a nice shot that snaps Marfaker's head back.

It looks like Juan Marfaker has been cut.

Ribeiro closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Marfaker's guard.
Ribeiro looking to sit in guard and control but Marfaker gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Marfaker has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Ribeiro working for submissions but it's allowed Marfaker to get to half guard.
Marfaker is controlling the pace.
Juan Marfaker is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ribeiro tries to get to full guard but Marfaker has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Marfaker manages to pass to mount!
Ribeiro is wriggling around trying to escape.
Marfaker content just to control the position here.
Ribeiro working to try and regain half guard.
Marfaker trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ribeiro is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Juan Marfaker showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Marfaker, 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juan Marfaker!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Juan Marfaker waved his t-shirt featuring FORCEE's logo in front of the cameras.