PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ismah Ulhaq (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Richie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Richie's choice of entrance music: I Am. Ismah Ulhaq could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to James Richie's chin.

Ulhaq
vs
Richie

171 cm
25
175 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

190 cm
26
172 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
KO power

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

Arcticus

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Ismah Ulhaq!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, James Richie!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, William Gold and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ulhaq throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Richie.
Richie misses with a body kick.
Ulhaq tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Richie swivels and escapes.
Ulhaq goes for a double leg but Richie avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Richie continues to drive forward.
Richie has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ulhaq after a bit of a struggle.
Ulhaq drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Richie gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ismah Ulhaq. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Richie wants to break free but Ulhaq has control.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Richie ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Richie no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
We've been hearing that Ulhaq has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Ulhaq throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Richie works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Richie trying to keep a closed guard but Ulhaq is proving a slippery customer.
Ulhaq scoring with some ground and pound.
Ulhaq throws a strike but Richie rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ulhaq is pulling down on Richie's head. It's preventing any offense from Richie, at least for the moment.
Ulhaq knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Richie on the ground.
Ulhaq has a closed guard, preventing Richie from standing up.
Ulhaq wants to get back to his feet but Richie is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Ulhaq wants to sweep here but Richie controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Richie trying to control but Ulhaq is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Richie has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Ulhaq is proving hard to escape from.
Richie not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Richie is fighting to break Ulhaq's control of his arms but Ulhaq is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ulhaq goes for a double leg but Richie avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Richie continues to drive forward.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ulhaq is trying to trip Richie. He has hold of a leg but Richie is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Ulhaq persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Richie is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ulhaq has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Ulhaq stays in close to Richie's body and controls the position.
Richie keeping moving, preventing Ulhaq from controlling successfully.
Ulhaq chips away with some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ulhaq accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ulhaq might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Richie striking off his back but it's not causing Ulhaq any problems.
Ulhaq throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Richie works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ulhaq looking to pass the guard.
Ulhaq postures up in Richie's guard and throws a big left but Richie blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Richie is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Ulhaq rolls with it to try and escape but Richie cranks on the arm and Ulhaq is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:27 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). James Richie!
An out of breath James Richie thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.