PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jean Mbappe (ranked 2907 p4p, 2447 weight class) and Barry Ridgewood (ranked 366 p4p, 314 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Mbappe
vs
Ridgewood

180 cm
26
165
4 - 2 - 0

188 cm
28
155
4 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Altitude Clothing

Conquer
Altitude Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jean Mbappe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Barry Ridgewood!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Donatello Bradman and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ridgewood stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

It looks like Jean Mbappe has been cut.
We've been told by Mbappe's head coaches at Puncher's Chance Collective that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Mbappe fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Ridgewood sprawls well initially but Mbappe persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Mbappe not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ridgewood felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

Mbappe seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Ridgewood has recovered full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ridgewood working a defensive guard here.
Mbappe stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ridgewood swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mbappe landing with the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ridgewood keeping moving, preventing Mbappe from controlling successfully.
Ridgewood avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ridgewood being controlled here, momentarily.
Mbappe lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Mbappe throws a strike but Ridgewood rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Ridgewood loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ridgewood is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Ridgewood missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Mbappe tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mbappe is working hard here to advance position.
Mbappe on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Mbappe tries to get out of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ridgewood wants to get up but he can't break Mbappe's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Mbappe trying to control the position.
Mbappe has momentary wrist control but Ridgewood slips an elbow through the middle.
Ridgewood working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Mbappe looking for a sweep. Not yet Mbappe, not yet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ridgewood accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Mbappe looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ridgewood is fending him off so far but Mbappe persists. Nope, Ridgewood circles away and we're back to standing.
Mbappe takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Mbappe walks straight into a right hand from Ridgewood - that's dropped him! Ridgewood jumps into mount and starts pounding away - can he finish?! More strikes go undefended and the referee has to dive in to save Mbappe from any more punishment! Mbappe complains about the stoppage but falls over as he tries to stand back up, so it was clearly a good stoppage.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Barry Ridgewood!
In his post fight interview, Barry Ridgewood started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.