PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Gaspar Saroa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Manny Ribera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Saroa
vs
Ribera

170 cm
24
185 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

180 cm
26
165 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

[CBK] LEGAL HIGHS « ↑ DOUBLE 160Q ®

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gaspar Saroa!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Manny Ribera!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Shirou Masuda and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saroa misses with a looping left.
Saroa misses with an uppercut. Ribera saw that one coming.
Ribera misses with a few strikes there.
Saroa throws a leg kick but Ribera sees it coming and moves out of range.

Saroa scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Ribera parries the strikes from Saroa easily there. Saroa is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Ribera to escape.
Ribera is trying to control Saroa's posture but Saroa avoids it.
Ribera avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Saroa.
The ground and pound from Saroa seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Saroa scoring with punches from side control.
Ribera struggling a bit here.

Saroa is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Ribera knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saroa sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Ribera is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Saroa scoring with punches from side control.
Saroa trying to control the action but Ribera is working from the bottom.
Saroa working the ground and pound but Ribera is defending the strikes.
Saroa tries to move to mount but Ribera blocks the move with his legs.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saroa lands an elbow.

Saroa tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Saroa has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Saroa tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Saroa has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Saroa creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Ribera sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
The strikes coming from Saroa are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Sloppy strikes there by Saroa.
Saroa throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Ribera works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Saroa sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ribera defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saroa throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Ribera to regain full guard.
Saroa trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saroa throwing strikes from guard but Ribera blocks nicely.
Saroa throwing strikes but missing.
Saroa throwing strikes but missing.
Ribera really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Saroa. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Saroa throws a strike but Ribera rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Saroa looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ribera trying to control but Saroa is working from the bottom.
Saroa bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ribera's guard.
Saroa pushing down on Ribera's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Saroa is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ribera sees it coming and defends easily.
Saroa wants to pass the guard but Ribera is defending well.

Saroa is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ribera sees it coming and defends easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ribera keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ribera regains full guard. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gaspar Saroa dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Saroa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ribera lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Saroa thows a leg kick but Ribera checks it
and Ribera counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Saroa thinking.
Ribera feints a jab promting Saroa to slip. Ribera then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Saroa slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
No luck for Saroa with that takedown attempt.
Saroa needs to keep his hands up - Ribera had a free shot at his head there.
Saroa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ribera moves away.
Ribera jabs Saroa to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ribera leaves Saroa 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 Gaspar Saroa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ribera dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Manny Ribera is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ribera connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Saroa momentarily.
Saroa's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Ribera connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Saroa scrambles back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saroa misses with a hook to the body
and Saroa takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Manny Ribera is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice takedown defense from Ribera. No joy for Saroa on that attempt.
Saroa lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Ribera!
Saroa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ribera manages to avoid it.

Saroa scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ribera takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Saroa wants to control but Ribera is keeping him busy.
Saroa misses with the ground and pound.
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!
Saroa working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Saroa with the ground and pound but Ribera regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Saroa throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Ribera to regain full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saroa trying to control but Ribera is working from the bottom.
Gaspar Saroa overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Saroa throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ribera works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ribera working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Saroa.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Saroa accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ribera working a defensive guard here.
Saroa looking to pass the guard.
Saroa works over Ribera with some ground and pound from guard.
Saroa throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saroa in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Saroa in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ribera avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Saroa works over Ribera with some ground and pound from guard.
Ribera looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Saroa throws a strike but Ribera rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Saroa manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ribera manages to get himself to full guard.
Saroa stands and throws Ribera's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Ribera manages to work his way to half guard, despite Saroa's best efforts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saroa with the ground and pound but Ribera uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Saroa missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ribera keeping full guard, as Saroa tries to pass.
Ribera keeping moving, preventing Saroa from controlling successfully.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saroa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ribera working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Saroa.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Saroa accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Saroa stands and throws Ribera's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Ribera is not content to let Saroa control the position.
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 Gaspar Saroa will probably get the nod.
That's time! Saroa's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ribera with a jab.

Saroa bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Saroa sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Ribera is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Saroa in side control, throwing shots but Ribera defends.
Ribera struggling a bit here.
Saroa cracks Ribera with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Saroa is looking to take a break and control but Ribera is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ribera dodges the ground and pound from Saroa.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saroa looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Saroa in side control lands a decent elbow.

Saroa is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ribera is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Saroa tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Saroa has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
You can see the frustration on Ribera's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saroa with the ground and pound but Ribera regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Saroa has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Saroa throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Ribera because Saroa loaded up on that one.
Saroa lands with some strikes.
Saroa throws some wild stikes that Ribera manages to avoid easily.
Ribera is looking to improve his position but Saroa isn't that keen on the idea.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Saroa landing shots from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saroa lands with some strikes.

Saroa is working for a guillotine from mount but Ribera frees his head quite easily.

Saroa has control of Ribera's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Ribera regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Saroa throwing strikes here but Ribera is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Saroa trying to control but Ribera is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saroa is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Ribera can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Saroa working Ribera over with strikes here.
Saroa can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Ribera is looking to escape.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ribera wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Saroa.
Saroa thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Saroa cracks Ribera with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Saroa cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gaspar Saroa clearly takes that round.
That's time! Saroa's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Saroa misses with a leg kick
and Ribera counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ribera scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Ribera defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Saroa.
Saroa takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ribera lands with a nice combination. Saroa backs away looking to recover.
Ribera lands a nice hook to Saroa's body. Saroa takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Saroa takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Ribera scores with a decent looking hook.
Sloppy strikes from Saroa. Those never looked like landing.
Ribera pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Saroa back to the cage. Ribera follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Saroa clinches up against the cage.
Ribera wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Saroa stalling in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Saroa fails to land.
Saroa has Ribera pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ribera manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saroa has Ribera pressed against the cage, preventing Ribera from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Ribera has had enough of the clinch but Saroa keeps him there for the moment.
Saroa leaning his opponent against the cage.

Ribera breaks from the clinch.
Ribera scores with a sloppy right hand. Saroa should have avoided that one.
Nice sprawl there from Ribera as Saroa shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gaspar Saroa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saroa rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Ribera counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Saroa thinking.
Ribera looks to land a combination. Saroa sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Saroa closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Saroa shoots in looking for a takedown but Ribera manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Saroa's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Saroa fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ribera moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A punch lands to the side of Saroa 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Saroa looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Saroa is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Ribera.
Ribera scores with a three punch combo!
Ribera thuds his right hand into Saroa's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Saroa takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
The crowd cheers as Ribera lands an impressive looking overhand right. Saroa doesn't seem phased though.
Manny Ribera seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Saroa shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ribera defends it nicely.
Ribera circles away from the clinch attempt.
Saroa throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ribera's waist but Ribera gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Saroa off to one side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saroa on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ribera cracks Saroa with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Ribera displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Saroa wants to clinch up but Ribera keeps it at a distance.
Ribera lands a nice looking body shot.
Ribera lands a jab-cross combination.
Saroa on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Saroa misses with an uppercut
and Ribera counters with a three punch combo that has Saroa backing up. Saroa nods at Ribera to acknowledge the strikes.
Saroa takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
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!
Ribera throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Saroa on the side of the head.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Saroa.
A jab from Ribera does it's job there.
Ribera moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Saroa feints and as Ribera raises his hands in defense, Saroa changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Ribera keeping moving, preventing Saroa from controlling successfully.
Saroa scoring with some ground and pound.
Ribera is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Saroa in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Saroa lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Saroa is in close to Ribera's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Ribera is trying to control the position but Saroa postures up.
Ribera keeping moving, preventing Saroa from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manny Ribera dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Ribera displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Ribera lands with a nice combination. Saroa backs away looking to recover.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Ribera enables Saroa to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Ribera manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Ribera utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Saroa passes Ribera's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Ribera is trying to stand back up but Saroa is controlling him
Saroa not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Saroa winds up and cracks Ribera with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Saroa is looking for a kimura but Ribera is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Saroa to get the leverage.
Saroa missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ribera is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ribera trying to control from the bottom.
Saroa seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Saroa trying to control from half guard but Ribera is working away.
Saroa lands with a punch from half guard.

Saroa is working for a submission of some sort.
Saroa sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ribera defending well though.
Ribera is trying is best to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saroa misses with a head shot. Ribera uses the momentum to regain guard.
Ribera preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ribera working a defensive guard here.
Saroa throwing strikes but missing.
Saroa throwing strikes from guard but Ribera blocks nicely.
Saroa throwing strikes from guard but Ribera blocks nicely.
Saroa throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ribera works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saroa working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Saroa scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Ribera avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Saroa throws a big elbow that misses.
Saroa stopping the sweep attempt from Ribera.
Saroa working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ribera's head.
Saroa looking to pass the guard.
Saroa wants to control from the top but Ribera keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saroa throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ribera works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Manny Ribera has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Saroa working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ribera's head.
Saroa lands a couple of digs.
Saroa throwing strikes from guard but Ribera blocks nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Saroa scoring with punches to the head and body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Saroa drops back, looking for a kneebar! Ribera looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Ribera looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Ribera!
Saroa tries to buck Ribera off but Ribera is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gaspar Saroa showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Saroa 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 49:46
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 49:46
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gaspar Saroa!
Gaspar Saroa is the new welterweight champion!
Gaspar Saroa was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.