PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tyler Richards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hektor Troy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hektor Troy told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Richards
vs
Troy

179 cm
25
188 lbs
17 - 5 - 0

187 cm
24
195 lbs
14 - 4 - 0

Great wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Perkele!
Hardcore Nutrition

TFP Graphics - Pit Inc

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tyler Richards!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hektor Troy!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Jorge Garcia and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fighters circle momentarily. Richards darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Richards with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Richards drives through with a takedown into Troy's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Troy is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Richards wants to control from the top but Troy keeps moving.
Troy really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Richards. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Richards pushing down on Troy's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Troy wants to improve his position but Richards is controlling well.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Richards connects with a nice short shot to Troy's temple.
Nice strikes from Richards there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Troy moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Richards working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Richards content to stall in guard here.
Richards prevents Troy from getting back to his feet.
Richards throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Troy working a defensive guard but Richards manages to pass into side control anyway.
Troy gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Troy is in a horrible position here. Richards smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Richards unloading with bombs!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Troy is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Troy manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Richards throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Richards wants to control but Troy is keeping him busy.
Troy wants to control but Richards is keeping busy and won't allow it.
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!
Troy tries to roll over but Richards keeps him under control.
Richards is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Troy is trying to get back to full guard.
Richards is thwarting Troy's attempts to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Richards seems to be working for a kimura but Troy defends the submission attempt.
Richards lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Troy wants to control but Richards passes into side.
Troy tries to buck Richards off but Richards is having none of it.
Richards tries to advance to mount but can't.
Troy tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Richards wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Troy gets back to half guard.
Troy wants to get back to full guard.

Richards is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Richards performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Troy wants to improve his position but Richards is controlling well.
Troy gets back to full guard.
Richards throws a big right hand that misses.
Troy is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Richards wants to control from the top but Troy keeps moving.
Richards won't allow Troy to sweep him here.
Troy keeping moving, preventing Richards from controlling successfully.
Richards content to stall in guard here.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Tyler Richards wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Troy sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Troy throws a sloppy head kick and Richards moves out of range easily.
Troy lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Richards circles away quickly and effectively.
Troy misses with a hook to the body
and Richards counters with a right hand to the body.
Troy does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Richards is looking to land body kicks.
Troy takes a shot right to the bread basket.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Troy thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Richards if he has to take too many more of those.
Troy is looking to chop away at Richards's legs.
Richards misses with a body shot.
Richards catches Troy with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Tyler Richards seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
That kick from Troy tenderised Richards's leg. Richards is trying to keep his angry face on.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Troy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Richards lands an overhand right.
Troy throws a leg kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyler Richards dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Richards lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Troy throws a nice head kick!
Richards looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Troy throws a wild body kick that Richards sees coming a mile off.
Troy throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Richards tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Troy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Troy avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Richards lands a glancing blow to the side of Troy's head.
Troy is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Richards.
Troy lands a front kick.
Richards scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Troy doesn't seem bothered though.
Troy gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Richards.
Troy throws a nice head kick!

It looks like Tyler Richards has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Richards throws a predictable looking body shot
and Troy counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Richards misses with a double jab
and Troy counters with a solid body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Troy thows a left - swing and a miss!
A bone on bone clash there as Richards blocks the leg kick.
Richards tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Troy paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Richards doesn't manage to clinch there - Troy circles away.
Richards looks to land a body kick but Troy moved away.
Hektor Troy seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice body punch from Richards.
Troy tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Troy throws a half hearted mid kick.
Richards doesn't manage to clinch there - Troy circles away.
Richards throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Richards connects with a body shot that sends Troy's belly button to the back.
Richards cracks a nice hook into Troy's ribs.
Richards fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Troy looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
The fighters circle momentarily. Richards darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Richards scores with a push kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richards lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Richards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Troy tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Richards wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Troy is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Richards off and has taken his back!
Richards trying to control but not successfully.
Troy is striking well from the back but Richards escapes and manages to control the positon and works his way to half guard. A much better position - the crisis is over for the time being.
Troy trying to pass the guard but Richards defending well.
Richards is trying to get back to full guard.
Richards trying to control but Troy postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards tries to roll over but Troy keeps him under control.
Richards 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.
Richards slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Richards is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Troy defends well.
Richards is controlling Troy's posture.
Troy in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Troy controls from within his opponent's guard.
Troy wants to control from the top but Richards keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Troy is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Hektor Troy was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Troy misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Richards.
Troy on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Troy avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A big left from Richards misses.
Richards fakes the leg kick and cracks Troy in the body.
Richards fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Richards lands a jab to the head.
Richards tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Richards scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Troy doesn't seem bothered though.
Richards walks forward, straight into a front kick from Troy.
Hektor Troy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A jab from Richards does it's job there.
Troy throws a leg kick that misses.
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 Tyler Richards will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Tyler Richards'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.

Richards misses the shot to the body.
Troy scoring well with a low kick there.
Richards waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Troy.
Richards misses with a straight left.
Troy lands a head kick. Richards smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Richards tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Richards avoids the head kick by Troy.
Troy throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Troy tries to land a front kick but Richards steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Richards wants to clinch.
Troy throws a sloppy head kick
and Richards counters with a nice leg kick.
Troy throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
A head kick misses from Troy.
Richards throws a good cross that connects.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Richards scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richards tries to clinch but Troy moves out of range.
Richards with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Richards tries to clinch but Troy moves out of range.
Troy throws a leg kick but Richards moved away.
Troy tries to score with a low kick but Richards moves his leg out of the way.
Richards smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Richards shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Troy is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Troy wants to sweep but no luck.
Troy takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Richards trying to control the position from guard on top but Troy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Richards sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Troy not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Richards moves out of range as Troy throws a body kick.

Richards fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Troy, pushing him back against the cage.
Richards misses with a hook to the ribs.
Richards goes for a takedown in the clinch but Troy prevents it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Richards misses with a punch to the body.
Richards is stalling here.
Richards fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Richards wants a takedown.
Troy tries to circle away but Richards has him pinned against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Richards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Troy blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Richards misses with some punches.
Richards swings wildly with an uppercut but Troy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Richards presses Troy against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Troy is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Troy tries to break the clinch but Richards is controlling the position.
Troy lands with a right to the head.
Richards working aggressively here.
Troy is trying to break free.
Troy tries to circle away but Richards has him pinned against the cage.
Come on Richards - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Richards misses with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richards throws a punch but it's blocked by Troy.

Troy breaks the clinch.
Troy takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Troy slips under a jab from Richards.
Richards fails with an attempt to clinch.
Troy misses with a low kick.
Troy tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Richards is able to avoid easily.
Troy throws a jab but it's blocked by Richards.
Troy tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A jab lands there for Richards.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Troy throws a quick inside leg kick.
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!
Troy feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Richardss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Richards jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Richards lands with a thumping leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyler Richards clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Tyler Richards's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Troy throws the kick towards the body but Richards avoids it.
Troy misses with an attempted mid kick.
Richards wants to land a leg kick but Troy is out of range.
Troy throws a low kick but it's checked well by Richards.
Troy lunges at Richards with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Richards's hand.
Richards keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

Richards drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Troy looking to control.
Richards stands and throws Troy's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Troy is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Troy taking punishment in the form of punches.
Troy tries to improve position but can't.
Troy is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richards working away.

Richards is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Troy knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Richards slows the pace down.
Richards's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Richards trying to control the action but Troy is working from the bottom.
Richards scores with a couple of short elbows.
Richards wants to lay and pray for a moment but Troy keeps working.
Troy is trying to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richards wants to lay and pray for a moment but Troy keeps working.
Troy tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Richards wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
What's Troy going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
Richards lands an elbow.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Richards trying to control the position but Troy is working away.
Troy is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Richards is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Richards with a couple of short strikes.
Troy working to try and regain half guard.
Richards trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Richards controlling the pace for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards trying to control but Troy is having none of it.
Troy working to try and regain half guard.
Richards controlling from mount.
Tyler Richards overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Tyler Richards has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Some bone on bone action there as Richards checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Richards tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Troy counters with a stiff right hand.
Troy will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richards scores with a leg kick.
Troy throws a head kick that misses
and Richards counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Troy thinking.
Troy has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Troy is looking to score with low kicks.
A head kick from Troy lands but Richards takes it in his stride.
Troy takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Richards lands a glancing blow to the side of Troy's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Richards tries to close the distance and clinch up but Troy swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Troy throws a head kick that misses.
Troy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Richards misses with a body shot.
Richards connects with a nice looking jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A decent looking cross lands there for Richards.
Richards blocks a low kick nicely.
Richards lands a lovely overhand right.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyler Richards had his way with Hektor Troy in that round.
The cut man is working on Tyler Richards's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Richards wants to clinch.
A jab from Richards finds it's way through Troy's defenses.
Troy ducks under a wild hook from Richards.
Richards keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Troy.
Richards fails with an attempt to clinch.
Troy swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Troy throws a half hearted mid kick.
Richards tries to clinch but Troy moves out of range.
Richards blocks a head kick by Troy.
Richards moves out of range as Troy throws a body kick.
Troy pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Richards gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Hektor Troy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richards fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Troy tries to score with a low kick but Richards moves his leg out of the way.
Richards lands a nice looking body shot.
Richards jabs Troy to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Richards cracks Troy with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Richards uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Troy.

Richards rushes Troy and presses him up against the cage.
Troy misses with a punch on the inside.
Troy wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Troy is pressed up against the cage. Richards has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Troy down to the mat. Troy avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Troy pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Troy misses with a hook
and Richards counters with a stiff right hand.
Troy is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Richards connects with the punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Troy throws a leg kick but Richards sees it coming and moves out of range.
Richards swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Troy counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Richards thinking.
Troy swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Good standup being displayed there by Richards as he connects with a hook.
Richards moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Richards avoids a kick to the body.

Richards moves into the clinch successfully.
Richards throws a punch but it's blocked by Troy.
Troy tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Troy.
A nice right hand lands inside from Richards.
Richards is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Troy breaks the clinch.
Troy has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Troy misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Troy misses with a double jab.
Richards ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Richards has taken the fight to the clinch.
Richards lands with a short shot to the head.
Troy tries to break the clinch but Richards is controlling the position.
Troy misses with a hook from the clinch.
Troy can't find room to land a body shot as Richards controls the action.

Troy manages to break the clinch.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Troy.
Troy tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Richards is able to avoid easily.
Richards tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Troy was well out of range. Poor timing from Richards.
Troy throws a nice head kick!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Richards throws a body punch but Troy moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Troy.
Troy pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Richards back to the cage. Troy follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Richards checks a low kick from Troy.
Richards tries to bum rush Troy with a series of wild strikes but Troy uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Richards closes the distance and clinches.
Richards struggles to land a body shot inside as Troy controls his hands.
Richards keeps control of Troy as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Richards is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Troy is defending well for now.
Troy is trying to force a seperation but Richards has the dominant position.
Richards blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Troy misses with the head strike.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Troy misses with a short punch on the inside.
Richards keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Troy's efforts to push away.
Troy lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tyler Richards is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Richards lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Tyler Richards.
Well Richards has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 50:45
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 50:45
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tyler Richards!
Tyler Richards retains his middleweight title!
Tyler Richards decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.