PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Romulo Ribeiro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sam Hitz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Ribeiro
vs
Hitz

188 cm
22
196 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

182 cm
20
190 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Romulo Ribeiro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sam Hitz!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Matheus Silva and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hitz throws a looping overhand right but Ribeiro ducks down to avoid it.
Ribeiro displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hitz throws out the jab.
Hitz is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ribeiro.
Ribeiro tries to clinch up but Hitz circles away and keeps his distance.
Sam Hitz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A combination from Hitz does no damage.
Ribeiro fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ribeiro takes one on the button.

It looks like Romulo Ribeiro has been cut.
Hitz tries to clinch up but Ribeiro circles away and keeps his distance.
Ribeiro uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hitz.
Ribeiro gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Hitz tries to clinch up.
Hitz misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ribeiro.
Ribeiro looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hitz is fending him off so far but Ribeiro persists. Nope, Hitz circles away and we're back to standing.
Ribeiro shoots in for a takedown but Hitz shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Ribeiro has Hitz up against the cage in a clinch.
Hitz is struggling to control the position.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hitz.
Hitz lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Ribeiro jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hitz walks away with a smile on his face. Ribeiro gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Romulo Ribeiro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ribeiro fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hitz lands a jab to the head.

Ribeiro is rocked!
Ribeiro fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Oh Ribeiro is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hitz misses with a straight left.

Hitz moves into the clinch successfully.
Hitz working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hitz putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Ribeiro in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Ribeiro is breathing heavily.
Hitz will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Ribeiro up against the cage.
Ribeiro seems to have got his legs back now.
The crowd are getting on Hitz's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Hitz lands an elbow that stopped Ribeiro in his tracks for a moment.
Hitz lands an elbow just above Ribeiro 's eye.
The referee calls for Hitz to work.
A hook to the body from Hitz.
Ribeiro takes an elbow to the temple.
Ribeiro tries to circle away but Hitz has him pinned against the cage.
Hitz lands a shot to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hitz lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hitz.
Hitz lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hitz lands with a light punch inside.
A hook to the body from Hitz.
A right hand to the body from Hitz.
A right hand to the body from Hitz.
Hitz scores with a shoulder strike.
Ribeiro takes a shot to the head.
Hitz lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Hitz lands with a light punch inside.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Ribeiro tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hitz just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hitz slows down the pace here.
Hitz is leaning against Ribeiro and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Hitz lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ribeiro backwards.
Hitz leaning against his opponent.
Hitz lands a body shot.
Hitz lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hitz lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hitz lands a nice elbow.
Hitz is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Hitz continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro fails to pull guard.
Ribeiro misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hitz prevents Ribeiro from breaking the clinch.
Hitz slowing the pace effectively.
Hitz lands an elbow inside that Ribeiro shrugs off.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Hitz obliges.
Hitz gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Hitz lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Ribeiro backwards.
Hitz digs a right hand underneath Ribeiro's ribcage. Ribeiro let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A short left from Hitz.
Hitz using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Hitz lands a left hand.
Ribeiro fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Ribeiro tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hitz just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hitz will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Ribeiro up against the cage.
Ribeiro misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ribeiro blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hitz has a couple of punches blocked by Ribeiro.
Hitz tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Ribeiro tries to circle away but Hitz has him pinned against the cage.
Hitz throws an elbow but it misses.
Hitz effectively controlling the action here.

Ribeiro decides to pull guard.
Hitz trying to control the position from guard on top but Ribeiro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Ribeiro is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hitz defends well.
Ribeiro looking to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hitz working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ribeiro's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Hitz dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Romulo Ribeiro's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hitz misses with a body shot

and Ribeiro decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Hitz's guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hitz bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ribeiro's guard.
Hitz throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ribeiro works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ribeiro is trying to keep Hitz in close.
Hitz must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Hitz wanted to stand there but Ribeiro had control of the position.
Hitz postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Ribeiro not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hitz wants to control from the top but Ribeiro keeps moving.
Hitz missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hitz stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hitz wants it to stay on the feet.

Hitz forces Ribeiro back against the cage and clinches.
Hitz lands a body shot.
Ribeiro tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hitz lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ribeiro backwards.
Ribeiro can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Romulo Ribeiro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The referee is keeping an eye on Hitz - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Hitz landing knees to the body.
Hitz is stalling here.
Good body shot from Hitz.
Hitz works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Ribeiro fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Hitz digs a right hand into Ribeiro's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ribeiro's gas tank.
A hook to the body from Hitz.
Hitz lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hitz leaning against his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hitz landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Ribeiro jumps guard but Hitz stands there with Ribeiro around his waist. Ribeiro gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ribeiro tries to pull guard but Hitz won't allow it.
Ribeiro takes a knee to the side of the body.
Hitz lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ribeiro tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hitz lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Hitz lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ribeiro is trying to force a seperation but Hitz has the dominant position.
A short uppercut from Hitz.
Hitz lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ribeiro tries to score a body lock takedown but Hitz shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Hitz lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Hitz is pushing Ribeiro up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Hitz throws a punch but it's blocked by Ribeiro.
Ribeiro wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ribeiro tries to pull guard but Hitz holds him up against the cage and eventually Ribeiro drops back down to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hitz misses with some punches.
Hitz stalling the fight.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Hitz gets through Ribeiro's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Ribeiro jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hitz walks away with a smile on his face. Ribeiro gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Ribeiro shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hitz but Hitz pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hitz throws a head kick that misses.
A head kick misses from Hitz.

Ribeiro shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Hitz is trying to defend but Ribeiro finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Hitz is trying to get back to full guard.
Hitz wants to control but Ribeiro is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hitz wants to get back to full guard.
Ribeiro controlling the action here.
Hitz is trying to stand.
Hitz wants to get back to full guard but Ribeiro has passed into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hitz tries to hold on but Ribeiro pushes him away.
Hitz is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Ribeiro controlling the position easily from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Romulo Ribeiro will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Romulo Ribeiro's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Ribeiro is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Hitz's half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ribeiro is looking to take a break and control but Hitz is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hitz controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

Hitz pushes Ribeiro off and gets back to his feet.
Ribeiro with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Hitz swinging wilding here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Ribeiro shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Ribeiro was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Ribeiro dominating with strikes here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ribeiro working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Ribeiro looking to finish with strikes here!
Hitz keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Hitz is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Hitz working to try and regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Hitz is squirming around, avoiding Ribeiro's attempts to control the action.
Ribeiro controlling from the full mount.
Ribeiro is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Ribeiro prevents Hitz from getting the reversal.
Hitz is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Ribeiro in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Hitz wants to hold on but Ribeiro pushes him away.
Ribeiro tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hitz is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Ribeiro takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Hitz wants to control but Ribeiro is having none of it.
Ribeiro looking to control and managing it successfully.
Hitz is desperately trying to improve his position but Ribeiro has a good base and remains in mount.
Ribeiro landing punches.
Hitz is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Ribeiro controlling his opponent.
Hitz is trying desperately to improve position.
Ribeiro controlling the pace for now.
Ribeiro landing shots from mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hitz working to try and regain half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Romulo Ribeiro showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ribeiro has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:29
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Romulo Ribeiro!