PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joe Ranieri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eric Concepcion (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ranieri comes into the arena with DMX - Lord give me a Sign blaring out of the sound system. Concepcion has chosen Gnam Gnam Style as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ranieri
vs
Concepcion

186 cm
26
190 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
190 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Machiavelli Boutique

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joe Ranieri!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Eric Concepcion!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Jeff Smith and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A chopping leg kick lands by Ranieri.
Ranieri connects with a high kick.
Concepcion shoots in and drives through. Ranieri sprawls well.
Ranieri looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
And Concepcion tries to counter it with a takedown but Ranieri pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Ranieri stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ranieri wants it to stay on the feet.
Concepcion looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Ranieri misses with a head kick.
Concepcion is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Ranieri throws a series of strikes that have Concepcion backpedaling.
Concepcion fails with the takedown.
Joe Ranieri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Concepcion.
Left hook, right uppercut from Ranieri.
Ranieri rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Concepcion moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
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!
Ranieri lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Concepcion takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A slapping body kick lands there for Ranieri.
Ranieri lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Concepcion backs up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ranieri fails to land with a series of punches.
Ranieri explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Ranieri scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Concepcion takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Ranieri throws a one two combo.
Ranieri scores with a jab to the head.
Concepcion has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Ranieri finds it's way round the side to connect with Concepcion's head.
Concepcion sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Ranieri thows a body kick. Concepcion tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Joe Ranieri is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
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!
A solid leg kick lands there for Ranieri.
Ranieri with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Concepcion fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Concepcion tries for a takedown but Ranieri circles away easily
and Ranieri counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Concepcion closes the distance and clinches up with Ranieri, looking for a takedown. Concepcion pushes Ranieri against the cage but Ranieri circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ranieri throws a big counter combination but Concepcion scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Ranieri connects with a jab.
Ranieri is working the combinations to good effect here.
Concepcion shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ranieri as he jumps to the side.
Ranieri connects with the punch.
Ranieri is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Ranieri scores with a one two! Concepcion had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Concepcion dives in and grabs Ranieri's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ranieri pushes down on Concepcion's head and hops out.
Concepcion drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ranieri.
Ranieri throws a combination. Concepcion tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Ranieri fails to land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Concepcion avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ranieri throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ranieri scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Concepcion chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ranieri can pounce on him.
Ranieri lands a front kick.
Ranieri fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ranieri lands a leg kick that knocks Concepcion off balance momentarily.
Ranieri lands a head kick. Concepcion smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Concepcion throws a body kick that misses.
Ranieri misses with a wild combination.
Danga de danga de dang - Ranieri scores with a four punch combination!
Concepcion has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Ranieri.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Concepcion will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ranieri moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Ranieri throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Ranieri pushes Concepcion away with a front kick.
Ranieri misses with the combination.
Concepcion is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Concepcion is trying desperately to land a takedown but Ranieri is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Concepcion.
Ranieri closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Concepcion with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Ranieri to score with a decent uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ranieri fails to land with a series of punches.
Concepcion needs to keep his hands up - Ranieri had a free shot at his head there.
No joy there for Ranieri, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Ranieri dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Concepcion has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ranieri.
Ranieri connects with a body shot.
Concepcion walks into a jab.
Concepcion shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ranieri defends it nicely.
Joe Ranieri is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ranieri lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Ranieri falls off balance throwing a combination

and Concepcion counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Concepcion.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Concepcion wants to control from the top but Ranieri keeps moving.

Concepcion drops back, looking for a kneebar! Ranieri looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Ranieri looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Ranieri!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Concepcion tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Ranieri tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Concepcion tries to bench press Ranieri off him but Ranieri keeps the position.
Ranieri takes a little break here. Concepcion wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ranieri wants to stand but Concepcion is controlling his arm.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Ranieri stuffs the takedown.
Concepcion on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Ranieri connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ranieri dips to his left and cracks Concepcion with an uppercut!
Concepcion is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Ranieri.
Ranieri swinging wildly here.
Ranieri fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
And Concepcion tries to counter it with a takedown but Ranieri pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Concepcion throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ranieri's waist but Ranieri gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Concepcion off to one side.
Joe Ranieri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Concepcion.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ranieri chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Concepcion showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ranieri.
A head kick from Ranieri lands but Concepcion takes it in his stride.
Concepcion has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Ranieri misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ranieri tests Concepcion's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ranieri connects with a good right hand that stumbles Concepcion. Concepcion circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Ranieri connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Joe Ranieri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick misses from Ranieri.
Ranieri throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Concepcion tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Ranieri throws the kick towards the body but Concepcion avoids it.
Concepcion tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ranieri connects with an inside leg kick.
Concepcion shoots in for a double leg but Ranieri sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ranieri is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ranieri lands with a slapping head kick.
Ranieri stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ranieri wants it to stay on the feet.
Concepcion tries for a takedown but Ranieri sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ranieri buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Concepcion tries for a takedown but Ranieri sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ranieri connects with a looping right hand.
Ranieri fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Concepcion sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Joe Ranieri is winning the standup battle so far.
Ranieri throws a leg kick which misses Concepcion's front leg but catches the back leg as Concepcion tries to avoid it.
Concepcion tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Ranieri dominated that second round.
That's time! Ranieri's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Concepcion on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Concepcion has a takedown stuffed.
A head kick from Ranieri lands but Concepcion takes it in his stride.
Ranieri thuds his shin into the meat of Concepcion's side.
Ranieri is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Concepcion can do to turn this around?
Ranieri swinging wildly here.
Concepcion is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Concepcion's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Concepcion shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ranieri pinned against the cage. Ranieri gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Concepcion has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ranieri.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ranieri fails to land with a series of punches.
Ranieri lands a leg kick that knocks Concepcion off balance momentarily.
Ranieri swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Concepcion walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Ranieri tries a head kick but it misses.
Ranieri scores with a one two! Concepcion had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Ranieri is looking to slow Concepcion down with leg kicks.
Ranieri feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Concepcion's calf.
Concepcion shoots in and drives through. Ranieri sprawls well.
Joe Ranieri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Concepcion.
Ranieri lands a jab-cross combination.
A right-left combo lands from Ranieri.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Concepcion goes for a double leg but Ranieri avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ranieri continues to drive forward.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Concepcion showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ranieri.
Ranieri pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Concepcion back to the cage. Ranieri follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Ranieri looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Concepcion fails with a takedown attempt.
Ranieri throws a head kick that half lands.
Ranieri jabs Concepcion right on the nose. Concepcion blinks but takes it well.
Ranieri tries a head kick but it misses.
Concepcion on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ranieri. Ranieri obviously looking to wear him down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ranieri lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Concepcion circles away quickly and effectively.
And Concepcion tries to counter it with a takedown but Ranieri pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Concepcion chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ranieri can pounce on him.
Ranieri looks to land a combination. Concepcion sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Ranieri tests Concepcion's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Horrible takedown attempt by Concepcion or perhaps it was just good defense by Ranieri, which made it look bad.
Ranieri buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Concepcion walks into a straight right hand from Ranieri.
Concepcion shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ranieri pinned against the cage. Ranieri gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ranieri fails to land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ranieri connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Ranieri connects with a leg kick. Concepcion looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Ranieri scores with a head kick. Concepcion tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
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!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Ranieri, right into the meat.
Ranieri throws a nice looking combination but Concepcion bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
That kick from Ranieri tenderised Concepcion's leg. Concepcion is trying to keep his angry face on.
Concepcion looks for a takedown but Ranieri sprawls well.
Ranieri works over Concepcion's head and body with a nice combination.
Ranieri feints a jab promting Concepcion to slip. Ranieri then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Concepcion slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Ranieri shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Concepcion eats them both and turns towards Ranieri to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Ranieri clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Nice body punch from Ranieri.
A cross from Ranieri lands.

Concepcion fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Ranieri to the ground. Concepcion is now in Ranieri's guard.
Ranieri wants to get back to his feet but Concepcion is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Ranieri avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Concepcion throws a big elbow that misses.
Ranieri pulls Concepcion in close to prevent any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Concepcion is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Ranieri is pulling down on Concepcion's head to control his posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Concepcion stands and throws Ranieri's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Concepcion goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Ranieri has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Concepcion but great work by Ranieri.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ranieri wants to stand but Concepcion is controlling his arm.
Ranieri gets to mount! Concepcion was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Ranieri tries to stand up but he's trapped just for the moment.

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.
Concepcion tries to lock up and control but Ranieri gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Ranieri tries to stand up but he's trapped just for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ranieri avoids the attempt from Concepcion to control.
Concepcion is looking to improve his position but Ranieri isn't that keen on the idea.
Ranieri controlling the pace for now.

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.
Ranieri wants to get back to his feet but Concepcion is holding on tight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Concepcion is trying to escape the mount.
Concepcion is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Eric Concepcion will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Concepcion walks forward, straight into a front kick from Ranieri.
Concepcion fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ranieri avoids it really well and circles away.
Ranieri lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Ranieri.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Ranieri. Concepcion shrugs it off though.
Ranieri shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Concepcion eats them both and turns towards Ranieri to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ranieri displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Concepcion.
Ranieri scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ranieri throws a head kick that half lands.
Ranieri throws a series of punches but Concepcion moves out of range.
Concepcion is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ranieri sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Joe Ranieri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Concepcion.
Concepcion tries to move into range but Ranieri moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Ranieri stuffs the takedown.
Concepcion is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Concepcion misses with a few strikes there.
Concepcion takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
A lazy left from Ranieri finds it's target.
A right-left combo lands from Ranieri.
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!
Ranieri works over Concepcion's head and body with a nice combination.
Concepcion looks for a takedown but Ranieri sprawls well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ranieri displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Ranieri scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Ranieri scores with the left hand. Concepcion knows he should have avoided that one.
Ranieri pushes Concepcion away with a front kick.
Ranieri throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Concepcion's head.
Ranieri tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ranieri connects with a leg kick. Concepcion looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Concepcion.
Decent striking displayed by Ranieri there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Concepcion tries for a takedown but Ranieri circles away easily
and Ranieri counters with a left and a right that stings Concepcion.
Ranieri scores with a crisp jab that stopped Concepcion in his tracks.
Ranieri lands a jab to the head.
Concepcion shoots in looking for a takedown but Ranieri manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Concepcion's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nice straight punches there by Ranieri. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Ranieri.
Ranieri lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Ranieri.
Ranieri scores with a one two! Concepcion had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Ranieri thows a body kick. Concepcion tries to catch it but that hurt him.
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!
Sloppy strikes from Ranieri. Those never looked like landing.
And Concepcion tries to counter it with a takedown but Ranieri pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Ranieri connects with a high kick.
Ranieri tests Concepcion's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ranieri throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
And Concepcion tries to counter it with a takedown but Ranieri pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ranieri.
Concepcion is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Ranieri, right into the meat.
Concepcion shoots in looking for a takedown. Ranieri tries to sprawl out of it but Concepcion keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ranieri manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ranieri swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ranieri connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Ranieri.
Ranieri throws a head kick that half lands.
Ranieri pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Concepcion tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Eric Concepcion has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Concepcion walks into a stiff left hand from Ranieri.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Ranieri showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ranieri 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 Josh West scores the fight 49:43
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 49:43
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 49:42

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Ranieri!
Joe Ranieri retains his middleweight title!
Joe Ranieri decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.