PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Bader (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Fricke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fricke has chosen Drowning Pool - Bodies as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bader
vs
Fricke

192 cm
22
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

192 cm
20
260 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ryan Bader!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ryan Fricke!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Stewart Dunkirk and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Bader looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Fricke throws a right and a left that Bader avoids nicely.
Bader tries to close the distance and clinch but Fricke swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bader.
Fricke throws a nice looking combination but Bader bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A combination from Bader does no damage.
Fricke misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Bader tries to clinch there but Fricke circles away.
Ryan Fricke seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fricke fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bader shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fricke throws a right and a left that Bader avoids nicely.
Fricke throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bader.
Bader misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryan Bader. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A right-left combo lands from Fricke.

It looks like Ryan Bader has been cut.
Fricke throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Bader is breathing heavily.
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!
Fricke looks to land a combination but Bader avoids it well.
Fricke changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Fricke lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bader circles away quickly and effectively.
A thudding body kick lands there by Fricke!
Fricke drops Bader with a right and a left! Fricke comes rushing in but Bader regains his composure and manages to keep Fricke in guard.

Fricke got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bader has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Fricke has managed to get both his arms back between Bader's legs - danger averted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fricke controlling from the top position.

Fricke gets to his feet. Bader looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Fricke sets himself and throws a head kick that knocks Bader to the ground! Fricke dives into full mount looking to finish!
Fricke content just to control the position here.
Fricke throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Fricke controlling his opponent.

Fricke has hold of Bader's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Bader manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fricke unloads with some shots from mount but Bader bucks and avoids them well.
Bader could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Fricke controlling from mount.
Fricke lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Bader hang on?
Bader taking shots to the head.
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!
Fricke controlling from mount.

Fricke looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Bader is looking to improve his position but Fricke isn't that keen on the idea.
Fricke lands a nice shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bader takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Fricke lands a nice shot to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fricke throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Fricke punching from mount but Bader doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Bader is looking to improve his position but Fricke isn't that keen on the idea.
Bader blocking the ground and pound.
Bader wants to control but Fricke is having none of it.

Fricke looking to secure an arm triangle but Bader defends it well.
Fricke landing strikes, looking to finish!
Fricke breaks from Bader's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Fricke scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Bader blocking the ground and pound.
Fricke controlling from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fricke unloading with bombs!
Fricke scoring with strikes but Bader is staying in there.
A nice elbow there by Fricke.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fricke lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Bader hang on?
Fricke misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Bader wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Fricke.
Fricke content just to control the position here.
Fricke looking to ground and pound but Bader is blocking nicely.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Fricke tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Fricke moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Bader has worked his arm free - good work by Bader!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Fricke dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ryan Bader's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Fricke looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nice takedown defense from Bader. No joy for Fricke on that attempt.
A combination from Bader does no damage.
Nice body kick from Fricke.
Bader fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Fricke avoids it really well and circles away.
Fricke lands with an uppercut that bounces Bader off the cage and back into rage.
A jab-cross combination lands for Fricke and sends Bader crashing to the mat! Fricke follows him down to the mat - Bader regains half guard but he's not out of trouble yet!

Bader is rocked!
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!
Fricke throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Oh Bader is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Ryan Fricke has got the better of the ground game so far.
Fricke throwing shots but Bader is blocking nicely.
Bader seems to have got his legs back now.
Fricke stalling.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Fricke stands up and beckons Bader to join him on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fricke misses with a double jab

and Bader counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Fricke!
Fricke stops Bader from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Fricke is working to get back to half guard.
Fricke wants to get back to his feet.
Bader sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Fricke working to try and regain half guard.
Bader thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Bader looking to ground and pound but Fricke is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bader is working for a guillotine from mount but Fricke frees his head quite easily.
Fricke sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Fricke is holding on to half guard well.

Fricke pushes Bader off and gets back to his feet.
Fricke lands a jab-cross combination.
Fricke throws a right hand that Bader ducks under and follows up with a left that Bader also avoids with ease.
Fricke throws a series of punches but Bader moves out of range.
Fricke scores with a sloppy right hand. Bader should have avoided that one.
Bader shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Fricke pinned against the cage. Fricke gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Fricke has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Fricke.
Ryan Fricke seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fricke lands a two punch combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bader takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

Fricke moves into the clinch.
Bader jumps guard but Fricke stands there with Bader around his waist. Bader gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryan Bader. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Fricke breaks the clinch.
Bader takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Fricke scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Fricke closes the distance and lands a one-two.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bader looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ryan Bader is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fricke throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Fricke moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Bader fails with a takedown attempt.

Fricke pushes Bader up against the cage in a clinch.

Fricke manages to break the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Bader takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Fricke drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Bader is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bader preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Fricke with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Fricke throws a big right hand that misses.
Fricke showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Fricke postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Bader escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Fricke gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Fricke throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bader works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Fricke must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Fricke 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.
Fricke lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Fricke showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ryan Bader's cut.
That's time! Bader's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Bader takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Fricke tries to move into range but Bader moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

Fricke clinches up with Bader and pushes him back against the cage.

Fricke breaks the clinch.
Fricke connects with a single shot there.
Bader shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Fricke sprawls well. Fricke wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bader gets slowly back to his feet.

Fricke shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Bader throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Fricke stands up from Bader's guard - Fricke perhaps looking for a knockout.
Bader shoots for a double leg takedown but Fricke sprawls well. He's pushed Bader's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Fricke lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Fricke.
Nice takedown defense from Fricke. No joy for Bader on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryan Bader. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bader fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A right-left combo lands from Fricke.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fricke throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
A slapping leg kick lands for Fricke.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bader takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Fricke instigates a clinch.

Fricke manages to break the clinch.
Bader slips a jab and a cross from Fricke.
Bader looks for a takedown but Fricke sprawls well.

Fricke closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Bader did well to prevent Fricke getting side control.

Fricke gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
No luck for Bader with that takedown attempt.
Bader gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Fricke.
Fricke throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bader.
Fricke turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Bader looks for a takedown but Fricke sprawls well.
Danga de danga de dang - Fricke scores with a four punch combination!
Fricke shoots in looking for a takedown. Bader tries to sprawl out of it but Fricke keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Bader manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fricke darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Fricke decides to stand and escape the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fricke misses with a jab, cross combination.
Bader fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Fricke avoids it really well and circles away.
Fricke throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Bader on the side of the head.
Fricke throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bader.
Fricke throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bader.
Bader listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Fricke scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Fricke fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bader throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Fricke's waist but Fricke gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bader off to one side.
Fricke fakes the leg kick and cracks Bader in the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bader shoots in for a double leg but Fricke sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Fricke misses with a combination

and Bader counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Fricke dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Bader drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Fricke gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Fricke ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Fricke no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Fricke wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Ryan Bader has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fricke wants to stand and escape but Bader is having none of it.
Bader postures up.
Bader stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Fricke swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Fricke has his hands on Bader's head, controlling the position.
Fricke is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Ryan Fricke is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fricke manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Bader shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Fricke but Fricke pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Fricke connects with a nice looking jab.
Fricke lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Fricke clobbers Bader with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Fricke throws a nice inside leg kick.

Fricke instigates a clinch.

Fricke decides to pull guard.

Fricke wriggles free and stands up.
Fricke delivers a nice body kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fricke lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Bader shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Fricke as he avoids it easily.
Fricke throws a combination. Bader tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Fricke lands a nice shot to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryan Fricke comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Fricke 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 25:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 25:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryan Fricke!