PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Luke Ridley (ranked 1611 p4p, 958 weight class) and Jake From Statefarm (ranked 182 p4p, 105 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Ridley
vs
From Statefarm

175 cm
26
165
6 - 4 - 0

183 cm
27
158
8 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Luke Ridley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jake From Statefarm!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, David Hoff and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ridley catches From Statefarm with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Ridley keeps the fight on the outside.
Jake From Statefarm seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A big right from From Statefarm misses.
Ridley throws a big shot that misses.
From Statefarm tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ridley swats him away and circles back towards the center.
It looked like Ridley was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Ridley throws a body punch but From Statefarm moves out of range.
The fighters circling - From Statefarm throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

From Statefarm pushes Ridley up against the cage in a clinch.
From Statefarm takes a knee to the side of the body.
Ridley wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ridley blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ridley working aggressively here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by From Statefarm.
Ridley misses with the head strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ridley has had enough of the clinch but From Statefarm keeps him there for the moment.
From Statefarm tries to pull guard but Ridley holds him up against the cage and eventually From Statefarm drops back down to his feet.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ridley.
Ridley misses with the head strike.
From Statefarm looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

That's one minute gone in the round.
From Statefarm managing to block the knees to the body from Ridley.

From Statefarm jumps into guard, dragging Ridley to the mat.
From Statefarm not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

From Statefarm looking for subs off his back but Ridley has passed one foot through into half guard.
From Statefarm tries to get to full guard but Ridley has control of the leg.
From Statefarm trying to control from the bottom.
Ridley landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
From Statefarm trying to hold on to Ridley's head to control him but Ridley postures up.
From Statefarm is trying to control but Ridley passes into side control!
From Statefarm is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ridley controls the position.
Ridley working the head with strikes.
From Statefarm struggling a bit here.
From Statefarm tries to bench press Ridley off him but Ridley keeps the position.
Ridley in side control, throwing shots but From Statefarm defends.
From Statefarm is looking for a sweep.
From Statefarm sneaks back into half guard.
From Statefarm is trying is best to control the position here.
Ridley takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
From Statefarm has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ridley is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
From Statefarm wants to get back to full guard.
Ridley looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

From Statefarm looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ridley lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
From Statefarm is looking to improve his position.
Ridley with the ground and pound but From Statefarm uses the opportunity to regain guard.
From Statefarm has control of Ridley's left arm, preventing Ridley from doing any damage.
Ridley content to stall in guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ridley tries to stand but From Statefarm is controlling from the bottom.
Ridley tries to free his leg and advance position but From Statefarm is retaining full guard.

From Statefarm is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ridley is aware though and is defending well.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now From Statefarm is on top in guard.

From Statefarm showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ridley looking for a sweep. Not yet Ridley, not yet.
From Statefarm wants to control from the top but Ridley keeps moving.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Ridley dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

The fight stays on the outside here - From Statefarm looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
From Statefarm misses with a head kick.
Ridley ducks under a wild hook from From Statefarm.
Ridley seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
From Statefarm fails in his attempt to clinch.

From Statefarm closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
From Statefarm is trying to pull guard but Ridley turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Ridley looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Ridley manages to break the clinch.
Ridley moves out of range as From Statefarm throws a body kick.
From Statefarm walks into a straight right hand from Ridley.
From Statefarm tries to clinch but Ridley moves away
and Ridley counters with a right hand to the body.

From Statefarm has closed the distance and engaged Ridley in a clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by From Statefarm.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ridley misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ridley letting From Statefarm take a breather here.
Ridley is trying to break the clinch but From Statefarm is controlling him.
Ridley tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
From Statefarm tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ridley smiles and moves away.
From Statefarm keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ridley.
From Statefarm doesn't manage to clinch there - Ridley circles away.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
From Statefarm just misses with a punch to the body.
From Statefarm is looking to clinch but Ridley is avoiding it.
A looping hook to the body misses from From Statefarm. Ridley does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ridley misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ridley keeps the fight on the outside.
Ridley swats away the attempt to clinch by From Statefarm.
Ridley appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Ridley throws a shot to the body.
From Statefarm uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ridley.
From Statefarm moves in looking to clinch but Ridley pushes him off.
Ridley is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that From Statefarm can do to turn this around?
Ridley throws a good cross that connects.

From Statefarm clinches.
A nice left hand lands by Ridley.
Ridley swings wildly with an uppercut but From Statefarm uses good head movement to avoid it.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ridley swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Ridley manages to break the clinch.
Nice straight punches there by Ridley. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Ridley.
This has been an exciting period of action!

From Statefarm closes the distance and clinches.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Luke Ridley has scored more points in the clinch so far.
From Statefarm tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ridley just stands there and leans against the cage.
Luke Ridley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jake From Statefarm.
From Statefarm on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

From Statefarm decides to pull guard.
Ridley postures up.
Ridley wants to pass the guard but From Statefarm is keeping the position.
Ridley has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
From Statefarm wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
From Statefarm being controlled here, momentarily.
Ridley trying to control the position from guard on top but From Statefarm is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ridley scoring with some ground and pound.
Ridley is stalling in the full guard.
From Statefarm working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Ridley trying to control but From Statefarm is working from the bottom.
From Statefarm not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

From Statefarm has Ridley up against the cage in a clinch.

From Statefarm has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Ridley uses from the top position.
Ridley trying to control the position from guard on top but From Statefarm is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
From Statefarm trying to control the position.
From Statefarm looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ridley is one step ahead there.
Ridley looking to pass the guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Ridley dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Ridley looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Jake From Statefarm has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jab by Ridley.
From Statefarm misses with a head kick.
From Statefarm throws a lazy head kick
and Ridley counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Luke Ridley is winning the standup battle so far.
Ridley avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ridley lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but From Statefarm circles away quickly and effectively.
Ridley looks to land a left hand but From Statefarm moved out of range nicely.
Ridley circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ridley misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

From Statefarm moves into the clinch successfully.
From Statefarm fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Ridley tries to break free but From Statefarm pushes him back against the cage.
Ridley wants to break the clinch but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
From Statefarm is trying to pull guard but Ridley turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Ridley has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Ridley breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ridley will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ridley swats away the attempt to clinch by From Statefarm.

From Statefarm moves into the clinch successfully.

From Statefarm jumps guard and drags Ridley to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

From Statefarm looking for a guillotine here but Ridley defends easily.
From Statefarm trying to keep a closed guard but Ridley is proving a slippery customer.
Ridley trying to control the position from guard on top but From Statefarm is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

From Statefarm had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ridley defends it easily.
Ridley trying to control but From Statefarm is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ridley got a little sloppy there for a moment and From Statefarm has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ridley has managed to get both his arms back between From Statefarm's legs - danger averted.
From Statefarm controls Ridley momentarily but Ridley frees himself.
Ridley connects with a couple of short punches.
Ridley looking to pass the guard.

From Statefarm is looking for a triangle but Ridley pushes his legs off easily.

From Statefarm looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ridley controlling from the top position.
From Statefarm keeping full guard, as Ridley tries to pass.
Ridley trying to control but From Statefarm is working from the bottom.

From Statefarm is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Ridley landing some decent shots from guard.
From Statefarm tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
From Statefarm controls Ridley momentarily but Ridley frees himself.

Ridley got a little sloppy there for a moment and From Statefarm has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ridley has managed to get both his arms back between From Statefarm's legs - danger averted.
Ridley trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ridley landing with the ground and pound.

From Statefarm working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ridley doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ridley manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
From Statefarm takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ridley pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. From Statefarm is keeping the position for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ridley scoring with punches to the head and body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luke Ridley showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ridley, 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight 30:27
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luke Ridley!
Luke Ridley opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.