PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Pocket Rocket (ranked 1896 p4p, 2200 weight class) and Rick Richardson (ranked 134 p4p, 150 weight class). Richardson is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Alma Enamorada (Chalino Sánchez). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Rocket
vs
Richardson

163 cm
29
145
10 - 10 - 0

175 cm
33
145
21 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Powerful

30th Century Beer Store

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Pocket Rocket!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rick Richardson!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rocket lands with a shot to the body.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Rocket drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
A big right from Richardson misses.
Richardson punishes Rocket's body with a nice straight punch.
Richardson throws a sloppy head kick and Rocket moves out of range easily.
A big right from Rocket misses.
Rocket cracks Richardson with a right hand to the side of the head.
Richardson throws a hook to the side of Rocket's head but Rocket sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rocket attempts a counter takedown but Richardson avoids it well and moves away.
Richardson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Richardson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A head kick misses from Richardson.
Richardson tries to clinch up but Rocket circles away and keeps his distance.
A telegraphed right hand from Rocket misses the target.
Richardson blocks a jab.
Rocket swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rocket jabs Richardson to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Richardson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Richardson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rocket.
Richardson misses the shot to the body.
Rocket misses the shot to the body.

Rocket has taken the fight to the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Rocket.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocket working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rocket prevents a body shot from Richardson.
Rocket takes a shot to the head.
Rocket tries to work over Richardson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Richardson.
A left hand lands to the body for Rocket.
Richardson lands a shot to the body.
Rocket presses Richardson against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Rocket blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rocket blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rocket misses with a punch to the body.
Richardson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Richardson tries to work over Rocket's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Richardson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rocket tries to throw a body punch but Richardson avoids it by throwing Rocket back against the cage.
Rocket lands with a short shot to the head.
Rocket is leaning against Richardson and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rocket.
Richardson tries to work over Rocket's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Richardson misses with a punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocket blocks an uppercut.
Rocket tries to throw a body punch but Richardson avoids it by throwing Rocket back against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Richardson struggles to land a body shot inside as Rocket controls his hands.
Rocket gets through Richardson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Rocket is looking to control Richardson's arms but Richardson gets an underhook and turns him. Now Rocket has his back to the cage.

Richardson is fighting off a takedown attempt but Rocket is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Richardson to the mat. Richardson regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Rocket trying to control the position from guard on top but Richardson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rocket looking to pass the guard.
Rocket has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Rocket trying to control but Richardson is working from the bottom.
Richardson keeping full guard, as Rocket tries to pass.
Rocket wants to control from the top but Richardson keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rocket drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Richardson manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Rocket has Richardson in his guard.

Rocket working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Richardson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Richardson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Richardson wants to stand but Rocket has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Richardson stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Rocket moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Rocket gets tackled into the cage by Richardson. Richardson maintains the clinch.
Richardson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rocket's elbow.
Richardson tries a body shot but Rocket blocks it.
Rocket lands with a right to the head.
Richardson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Richardson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rocket lands with a right to the head.
A shot in the inside from Richardson.
Richardson tries to throw a body punch but Rocket avoids it by throwing Richardson back against the cage.
Rocket swings wildly with an uppercut but Richardson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rocket misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rocket blocking some punches.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Pocket Rocket will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A head kick misses from Richardson.
Rocket looks for a takedown but Richardson sprawls well.
Rocket looks to score with a jab to the body but Richardson is just out of range.
Rocket misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Richardson.
Richardson lands a two punch combo.
Rocket is looking to wear down Richardson with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Richardson swinging wildly here.
Richardson just misses with a punch to the body.
Some wild striking there from Richardson.
Rick Richardson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Richardson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rocket tries to clinch but Richardson is having none of it.
Rocket throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rocket takes a swing at Richardson's ribcage but misses.
Richardson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Richardson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Richardson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Richardson throws a sloppy head kick and Rocket moves out of range easily.
Rocket uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Richardson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richardson dodges the punch combination from Rocket.
Rick Richardson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A jab lands there for Rocket.
Rick Richardson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Richardson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Richardson throws a head kick but Rocket moves out of range.
Richardson slips a jab from Rocket.
Richardson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rocket tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rick Richardson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Richardson throws a right and a left that both miss.

Rocket moves into the clinch.
Richardson pushes Rocket back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rocket can't find room to land a body shot as Richardson controls the action.
A head punch on the inside from Richardson fails to land.
Rocket scores with a hook to the body.
Richardson misses with a body punch.
Richardson misses with some punches.
Richardson lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rocket backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocket throws a punch but it's blocked by Richardson.
Rocket struggles to land a body shot inside as Richardson controls his hands.
Rocket blocks an uppercut.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Richardson gets underhooks to prevent Rocket's takedown attempt.
Rocket tries a body shot but Richardson blocks it.
Richardson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rocket.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pocket Rocket. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rocket goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Richardson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Richardson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Richardson misses with a punch on the inside.
Richardson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rocket lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Richardson swings wildly with an uppercut but Rocket uses good head movement to avoid it.
Richardson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rocket's elbow.
A nice left hand lands by Rocket.
Richardson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richardson misses with some punches.
Richardson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Richardson working aggressively here.
Richardson scores with a hook to the body.
Rocket lands with a short shot to the head.
Richardson tries to throw a body punch but Rocket avoids it by throwing Richardson back against the cage.
Richardson misses with a punch to the body.
Richardson tries a body shot but Rocket blocks it.
Nice body punch from Rocket.
Nice body punch from Richardson - that landed with a thud.
A nice left hand lands by Richardson.
Richardson misses with the head strike.
Rocket blocking some punches.
Richardson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rocket prevents a body shot from Richardson.
Rocket lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Richardson lands a shot to the body.
Richardson misses with a punch to the body.
Rocket blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richardson tries to throw a body punch but Rocket avoids it by throwing Richardson back against the cage.
Richardson tries a body shot but Rocket blocks it.
Richardson throws a head punch that misses.
Rocket swings wildly with an uppercut but Richardson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Richardson misses with a punch to the body.
Richardson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Rocket works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Richardson pushes Rocket off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Richardson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rocket.
Richardson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Richardson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Richardson throws a head kick that misses

and Rocket counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rocket.
Richardson has a couple of punches blocked by Rocket.
Rocket misses with a hook from the clinch.
Richardson tries to work over Rocket's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Richardson tries to work over Rocket's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Richardson gets underhooks to prevent Rocket's takedown attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Richardson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Rocket's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Rocket gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rocket tries to score a body lock takedown but Richardson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Rocket tries a body shot but Richardson blocks it.
Richardson blocking some punches.
Rick Richardson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Rocket misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rocket lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Richardson throws a head punch that misses.
Richardson misses with a body punch.
Richardson swings wildly with an uppercut but Rocket uses good head movement to avoid it.
Richardson working aggressively here.
Rocket digs a right hand underneath Richardson's ribcage. Richardson let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Rocket goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Richardson can't find room to land a body shot as Rocket controls the action.
Rocket pushes Richardson back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Richardson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Richardson misses with some punches.
Rocket is leaning against Richardson and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Richardson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richardson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Richardson gets underhooks to prevent Rocket's takedown attempt.
Richardson tries to work over Rocket's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Richardson struggles to land a body shot inside as Rocket controls his hands.

Rocket turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Rocket wants to lay and pray for a moment but Richardson keeps working.

Rocket wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Richardson, who protects the arm well.
Rocket wants to lay and pray for a moment but Richardson keeps working.
Rick Richardson has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.
Rocket seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Richardson for as long as he can get away with.

Richardson throws Rocket to one side and escapes!
Richardson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
An attempted straight right counter from Rocket misses the target.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Richardson leaves Rocket with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pocket Rocket. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rocket tries to clinch but Richardson is having none of it.
Richardson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Richardson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Rocket loads up on a big right hand but Richardson slips the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rocket walks into a jab.
Richardson throws a head kick that Rocket semi-blocks.
Richardson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rocket slips under a jab from Richardson.
Richardson connects with a right hand. Rocket shakes it off.
Richardson swinging wildly here.
Richardson digs a good body shot into Rocket's ribs.
Rocket will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rocket scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Richardson clinches up against the cage.
Rocket tries to throw a body punch but Richardson avoids it by throwing Rocket back against the cage.
Richardson tries to throw a body punch but Rocket avoids it by throwing Richardson back against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Rocket creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Richardson digs a right hand into Rocket's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Rocket's gas tank.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rocket working aggressively here.
Rocket digs a right hand underneath Richardson's ribcage. Richardson let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Nice body punch from Richardson.
Richardson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rocket lands a body shot.

Richardson is fighting off a takedown attempt but Rocket is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Richardson to the mat. Richardson regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Richardson is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Rocket presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Rocket scores with a shoulder strike.
Richardson lands a body shot.
Richardson can't find room to land a body shot as Rocket controls the action.
Rocket prevents a body shot from Richardson.
Richardson tries a body shot but Rocket blocks it.
Richardson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rocket tries to score a body lock takedown but Richardson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Richardson misses with a body punch.
Richardson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Richardson gets through Rocket's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rick Richardson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Richardson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rick Richardson!
An out of breath Rick Richardson thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
Pocket Rocket spoke after the fight, saying 'Oh, noooooo. FUCK!'.