PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mark Hughes (ranked 4497 p4p, 24402 weight class) and Jack Ryker (ranked 513 p4p, 675 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Hughes
vs
Ryker

180 cm
21
180
4 - 4 - 0

169 cm
28
172
2 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mark Hughes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jack Ryker!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hughes scores with a jab to the jaw.
Hughes swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hughes swinging wildly here.
Hughes tries to bum rush Ryker with a series of wild strikes but Ryker uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hughes looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Hughes shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ryker but Ryker pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hughes throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Ryker on the side of the head.
Ryker misses with the combination.
Ryker tries to close the distance and clinch but Hughes swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ryker misses with a takedown attempt - Hughes sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ryker takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Ryker moves out of range as Hughes strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hughes misses with a two punch combination.
Hughes takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Hughes connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Ryker dives in and grabs Hughes's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hughes pushes down on Ryker's head and hops out.
Hughes misses with a few strikes there.
Hughes lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Ryker blocks a jab.
Hughes throws a series of punches but Ryker avoids them all with ease.
Ryker throws a counter combo.

Ryker gets a clinch.
Hughes is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ryker pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Ryker's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ryker shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hughes but Hughes pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hughes appears to be looking for a big counter.
Mark Hughes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Ryker.
Ryker fails with the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hughes on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sloppy strikes from Hughes. Those never looked like landing.
Hughes stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ryker.
Ryker steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hughes.
Ryker unleashes a big counter combination but Hughes bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Hughes blocks the body kick.

Hughes scores with a takedown into Ryker's guard.
Hughes trying to control but Ryker is working from the bottom.
Hughes scoring with some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hughes trying to control the position from guard on top but Ryker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hughes is in close to Ryker's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hughes trying to control but Ryker is working from the bottom.
Ryker should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Hughes working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ryker's head.
Hughes chips away with some ground and pound.
Hughes keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ryker's head.
Hughes pushes down on Ryker's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Hughes perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Hughes trying to mount his opponent but Ryker defends it.
Ryker tries to kick Hughes off but Hughes keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Hughes seems content to control.
Hughes seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Hughes scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Ryker blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hughes.

Hughes is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ryker is just riding it out for now. Hughes eventually gives up the hold.
Nice strikes from Hughes there.
Ryker has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hughes is working away from the top position though.
Hughes frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Hughes dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hughes will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ryker fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hughes avoids it really well and circles away.
Nice defenses there by Ryker.
Ryker slips under a jab from Hughes.
Ryker shoots in but no luck this time.
Hughes throws a body shot but no joy.
Mark Hughes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hughes throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hughes stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hughes wants it to stay on the feet.
Mark Hughes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Ryker.
Hughes sizes up Ryker with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Ryker needs to keep his hands up - Hughes had a free shot at his head there.
Mark Hughes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hughes swings for the body but Ryker moves out of range.
Hughes is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

Hughes drops Ryker with a beautiful combination! Ryker stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Hughes is looking for the KO!

Ryker is rocked!

It looks like Jack Ryker has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ryker gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Hughes counters with a right hand to the body.
Ryker is still on wobbly legs! Can Hughes finish him?
Ryker is breathing heavily.
Hughes pounces like a tiger and cracks Ryker with a vicious hook! Ryker is down but not out! Hughes follows up with more strikes forcing the ref to jump in and stop it!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:12 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Mark Hughes!
An out of breath Mark Hughes thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.