PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dip So (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kimbo Rice (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kimbo Rice is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

So
vs
Rice

220 cm
23
229 lbs
1 - 7 - 0

180 cm
23
225 lbs
4 - 10 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
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 1 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dip So !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kimbo Rice!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
So lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rice circles away quickly and effectively.
Rice looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Rice swats away the attempt to clinch by So .
Rice avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
So works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

It looks like Kimbo Rice has been cut.
So uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Rice has time to react.
So lands a lovely overhand right.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
So connects with a single shot there.
Rice moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That has opened up Kimbo Rice's cut even more.
So tries to clinch up.
So shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rice as he avoids it easily.
Some wild striking there from So .
Rice takes one to the chin there.
So lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Jab, jab by So - just one landing.

The cut above Kimbo Rice's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
So misses with a takedown attempt - Rice sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rice walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Rice rushes So and presses him up against the cage.
Rice tries to land knees in the clinch but So avoids the damage to the body.
A frustrated look appears on So 's face as he tries to break the clinch.
So is looking to break free of the clinch but Rice has double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rice scores with a nice hook to the head.
Rice has So pressed against the cage, preventing So from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
So jumps guard but Rice stands there with So around his waist. So gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dip So . That's going to take a lot out of him.
So working hard to break the clinch.
So has had enough of the clinch but Rice keeps him there for the moment.
So jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Rice walks away with a smile on his face. So gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Rice gets a takedown into half guard.
So tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
So trying to control but Rice postures up.
So is looking to escape.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Rice gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Nice body kick from Rice.
So is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
So stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
So darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
So fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Rice is out of range.
So lands a jab.

Rice moves into the clinch.
So wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
So tries to pull guard but Rice holds him up against the cage and eventually So drops back down to his feet.
A shot in the inside from Rice.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Rice.
So is looking to break free of the clinch but Rice has double underhooks.
So takes an elbow to the forehead.
So wants to get back to striking at distance but Rice won't allow it.
So tries to break the clinch but Rice is controlling the position.
So wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rice has So pressed against the cage, preventing So from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Rice wants a takedown but no success here.
Rice looking to stall.
So is trying to force a seperation but Rice has the dominant position.
So wants to break free but Rice has control.
Rice lands a left hand that snaps the head of So backwards.
So is trying to force a seperation but Rice has the dominant position.
Rice is working for takedown but So is calmly controlling the position for now.
A frustrated look appears on So 's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rice prevents So from breaking the clinch.
Rice lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
So is trying to break the clinch but Rice is controlling him.
So can't break the clinch.
So scores with a nice hook to the head.
Rice is trying to stall.

Rice gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Rice blocks the strikes from So .
So pushes Rice off looking to stand but Rice dives back in and keeps control.
So is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
So tries to kick Rice off but Rice keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rice stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows So to get to his feet.
So leaves Rice with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
So is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Rice circles away from the clinch attempt.
So misses with an uppercut.
So is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Rice wants to clinch.
So is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
So shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rice pinned against the cage. Rice gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Rice ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
So throws a hook to the side of Rice's head but Rice sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
So tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rice swivels and escapes.
So throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
So looks to clinch

and Rice counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Rice.
So wants to stand up but Rice is controlling him.
So will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Rice pushes down on So 's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
So wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dip So dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kimbo Rice's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

So lands a glancing blow to the side of Rice's head.
So cracks Rice with an open hand slap.
So fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
So 's corner calls for a 1-2. So obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
So works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Rice fails in his attempt to clinch.
So throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rice's waist but Rice gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing So off to one side.
A big right from So misses.

Rice throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. So was covering up waiting for the punch and Rice finishes the takedown easily into guard.
So wants to stand but Rice is controlling the position.
Rice must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Rice gets to his feet - So follows without any prompting.

Rice moves into the clinch.
Rice has So pressed against the cage, preventing So from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Rice manages to break the clinch.
So keeps the fight on the outside.
So lands a glancing blow to the side of Rice's head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
So tries to close the distance and clinch but Rice swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

So drives through and clinches with Rice against the cage.
So wants to get back to striking at distance but Rice won't allow it.
Rice has So pressed against the cage, preventing So from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
So working hard to break the clinch.

Rice pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
So throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Rice drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rice wants to control from the top but So keeps moving.
So wants to get back to his feet but Rice is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
So is trying to hold Rice in close to prevent damage but Rice has managed to pass into half guard.
Rice wants to control but So is keeping him busy.
So has hold of Rice's hands but Rice slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
So punching from the bottom.
Rice sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. So defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rice stops So from getting back to his feet.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Rice clinches.
So wants to break the clinch but can't.
So fails to pull guard.
So jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Rice walks away with a smile on his face. So gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dip So . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rice lands a jab to So 's midsection.
So really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
So tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rice swivels and escapes.

Rice closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming So to the mat! So manages to get full guard.

So has his feet on Rice's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Rice clinches up against the cage.

Rice breaks from the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
So shoots in for a takedown but Rice shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

So darts in and clinches Rice up against the cage.
So fails to pull the fight into his guard.
So can't break the clinch.

Rice's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
So scores with a hook.
So tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rice sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten So somewhat.
Rice lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rice shoots in for a takedown but So shows good takedown defense.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rice.
So lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
So tries to close the distance and clinch but Rice swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
So lunges at Rice with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Rice's hand.
So shoots in but Rice avoids the takedown attempt easily.
So loads up on a big right hand but Rice slips the punch.
Rice on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
So misses with a looping right.
So tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Rice clinches with his opponent.
Rice drops down looking for an ankle pick but So pulls his leg out and moves away.
Rice bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Rice shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
So tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
So tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
So missing with punches from the bottom.
Kimbo Rice has got the better of the ground game so far.
So is trying to stand.
So trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

So kicks Rice off and gets back to his feet.
A low kick from So misses
and So takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
So tries to clinch there but Rice circles away.
So darts in trying to clinch

and Rice counters by moving into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kimbo Rice showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kimbo Rice's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Rice looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
So lunges at Rice with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Rice's hand.
So tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Rice counters with a shoot takedown. So fights it but they end up in guard.
So tries to strike from the bottom.
Rice won't allow So to get back to his feet.
So is striking off his back. Rice thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
So pushes Rice off looking to stand but Rice dives back in and keeps control.
So tries to kick Rice off in order to stand up. Rice Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Rice cracks So with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Rice prevents So from escaping the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
So connects with a crisp jab.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
So throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
So darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
So misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
So throws a hook to the side of Rice's head but Rice sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rice tries to clinch up but So circles away and keeps his distance.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Rice.
So is trying to improve his position.
Rice is working So over with some ground and pound from side control.
So wants to control but Rice postures up.
So is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Rice has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Rice controlling the position from side mount.
Rice working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rice lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear So down.
Rice working the head with strikes.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Rice fails to land the takedown.
So takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Rice moves away from the strike by So .

Rice feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
So is striking but Rice is not phased and passes to half guard.
Rice tries to pass the half guard into mount. So knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Rice stops So from getting back to his feet.
Ground and pound from Rice.
So is trying to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Rice lands with a right to the head.
Rice prevents So from breaking the clinch.
So looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
So working hard to break the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on So 's face as he tries to break the clinch.
So tries to break the clinch but Rice is controlling the position.
So wants to get back to striking at distance but Rice won't allow it.
Rice working some nice short punches in the clinch.
So is trying to break the clinch but Rice is controlling him.
So wants to break the clinch but can't.
So gets underhooks to prevent Rice's takedown attempt.
Rice misses with a knee to the head.

Rice breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rice moves away from the strike by So .
So lands with an uppercut that bounces Rice off the cage and back into rage.
Rice keeps the fight on the outside.
Rice checks a low kick from So .

Rice closes the distance and clinches.
A knee to the head by Rice.
Rice tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Dip So has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kimbo Rice.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
So is trying to break free.

Rice manages to break the clinch.
Rice tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rice throws a right and a left that both miss.
So throws a series of punches but Rice avoids them all with ease.
A decent looking cross lands there for So .
Rice tries to clinch there but So circles away.
Rice takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Rice keeps the fight on the outside.
A big right from Rice misses.
So throws a hook but Rice avoids it easily.
Rice has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Rice moves forwards but So connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Rice closes the distance and clinches.
So wants to get back to striking at distance but Rice won't allow it.
Rice lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Rice breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rice checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Rice walks into a straight right hand from So .
Rice is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
So misses with a hook. Rice ducked under it nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kimbo Rice comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rice has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kimbo Rice!