PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Hannibal Barca (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mathew Ridgeway (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Barca comes to the cage accompanied by Carthage. Ridgeway has chosen The Forgotten War as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Barca
vs
Ridgeway

175 cm
26
165 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

174 cm
26
164 lbs
16 - 4 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

AnonymouS
KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250

On Tap (160Q & Laundry)
Bullet Proof System

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hannibal Barca!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mathew Ridgeway!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Jonathan Paton and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barca shoots in looking for a takedown but Ridgeway manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Barca's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Barca shoots in for a takedown but Ridgeway shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Barca scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Ridgeway is trying to get back to full guard.
Barca is pressing down on Ridgeway's thigh, looking to free his foot. Ridgeway is holding on for now.
Barca is nestled in close to Ridgeway, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Barca sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ridgeway defending well though.
Barca sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ridgeway defending well though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ridgeway keeping control of the position.
Ridgeway keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ridgeway is holding on to half guard well.
Ridgeway blocking the ground and pound attempt from Barca.
Barca working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Barca tries to pass the half guard into mount. Ridgeway knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Ridgeway blocking the ground and pound attempt from Barca.
Ridgeway avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Barca.
Ridgeway blocking the ground and pound attempt from Barca.
Barca trying to control the action but Ridgeway is working from the bottom.
Barca is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Barca missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barca wants to take a breather but Ridgeway is having none of it.
Barca is pressing down on Ridgeway's thigh, looking to free his foot. Ridgeway is holding on for now.
Barca thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Barca throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ridgeway is looking to control Barca's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ridgeway avoid being mounted?
Barca is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Barca missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Barca missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ridgeway trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barca looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Ridgeway keeping hold of Barca's head, controlling as best he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Barca is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Barca wants to take a breather but Ridgeway is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Ridgeway works his way to full guard. Good work.
Barca throws an elbow that misses. Ridgeway uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Barca's guard. Nice move by Ridgeway!

Barca throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ridgeway told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Barca looking to control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Barca is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Ridgeway is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Barca looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ridgeway stopping the sweep attempt from Barca.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hannibal Barca dominated that 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.

Barca looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ridgeway throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Barca throws a right and a left that both miss.
A lazy left from Barca finds it's target.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Ridgeway, as that shot connected.
Barca chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ridgeway can pounce on him.
Barca cracks a nice hook into Ridgeway's ribs.
Barca misses with a takedown attempt - Ridgeway sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A low kick from Ridgeway is predictable there
and Barca counters with a nice uppercut.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Ridgeway, right into the meat.
Ridgeway throws a one two combo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ridgeway scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Barca connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Ridgeway scoring well with a low kick there.
Barca moves out of range of the body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ridgeway lands with a slapping head kick.
Barca tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Barca digs a good body shot into Ridgeway's ribs.
Ridgeway cracks the inside of Barca's front leg.
Ridgeway misses with a head kick.
Barca dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ridgeway throws a head kick but Barca moves out of range.
Mathew Ridgeway seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ridgeway takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Barca is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Barca looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ridgeway is fending him off so far but Barca persists. Nope, Ridgeway circles away and we're back to standing.
Barca swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ridgeway throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ridgeway jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ridgeway takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Barca misses.
Good exchange - Barca coming out on top.
Barca looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ridgeway takes a jab right on the kisser.

Ridgeway clinches up with Barca and pushes him back against the cage.
Ridgeway misses with the head strike.
Ridgeway is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hannibal Barca. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A short left from Ridgeway.
Ridgeway lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Barca tightens his grip and picks Ridgeway up, before dumping him to the ground. Ridgeway manages to land in guard.
Barca preventing the sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barca throws a big elbow that misses.
Barca pushes down on Ridgeway's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Ridgeway keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barca throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Barca not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Barca is looking to advance position but Ridgeway won't allow it.
Ridgeway wants to control but Barca passes into side.
Barca working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Barca tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Barca tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Ridgeway is being controlled here.
Ridgeway managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Barca.
Ridgeway tries to bench press Barca off him but Barca keeps the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ridgeway dodges the ground and pound from Barca.
Ridgeway tries to buck Barca off but Barca is having none of it.

Barca tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Barca tries to score with some ground and pound. Ridgeway controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Ridgeway is not content to let Barca control the position.
Ridgeway tries to bench press Barca off him but Barca keeps the position.
Ridgeway on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
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 Hannibal Barca will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Barca shoots in and gets a takedown into Ridgeway's guard.

Ridgeway manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Ridgeway doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Barca looking for a takedown.
Barca can't get the takedown.
Ridgeway tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Barca is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hannibal Barca. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ridgeway lands with a light punch inside.
Ridgeway gets underhooks to prevent Barca's takedown attempt.
Ridgeway struggles to land a body shot inside as Barca controls his hands.
Barca wants a takedown.
Barca goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ridgeway prevents it.
Ridgeway lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Barca.
Ridgeway lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ridgeway misses with a body punch.
Ridgeway is working Barca over against the cage.

Barca escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barca takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Ridgeway lands a nice leg kick that just misses Barca's sensitive parts.
Ridgeway pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Barca blocks the body kick.
Ridgeway lands a leg kick that knocks Barca off balance momentarily.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ridgeway. That's going to slow Barca down.
Ridgeway lunges at Barca with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Barca's hand.
Barca misses with a takedown attempt - Ridgeway sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Barca with a nice cross.
Barca connects with a single shot there.
Barca shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Barca throws a series of punches but Ridgeway avoids them all with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barca throws a good cross that connects.
Ridgeway tries to clinch but Barca is having none of it.
Ridgeway throws a quick inside leg kick.
Barca fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ridgeway fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Barca has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ridgeway takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Ridgeway connects with an inside leg kick.
Ridgeway staying out of range there.
And Ridgeway responds with a good body kick, but Barca manages to step out the way in time.
A swing and a miss from Barca.

Barca scores with a takedown into Ridgeway's guard.
Ridgeway keeping moving, preventing Barca from controlling successfully.
Barca looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Barca accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Barca throws a big right hand that misses.
Ridgeway keeping moving, preventing Barca from controlling successfully.
Barca trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Barca wants to control from the top but Ridgeway keeps moving.
Ridgeway pulls Barca in close to his closed guard and prevents Barca from doing any damage or advancing position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ridgeway scores with the left hand. Barca knows he should have avoided that one.

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.
Ridgeway bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ridgeway is trying to counter with his kicks.
Ridgeway goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Barca changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Barca misses with a wild combination.
Some bone on bone action there as Barca checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Barca throws an overhand right that lands on Ridgeway's shoulder, as Ridgeway tries to avoid the shot.
Barca misses with a looping left.
Ridgeway moves away from the strike by Barca.
Barca is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Barca takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Barca is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Barca is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ridgeway sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ridgeway looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ridgeway throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ridgeway connects with a body shot that sends Barca's belly button to the back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mathew Ridgeway really dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A slapping leg kick lands for Ridgeway.
Ridgeway avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ridgeway connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Barca takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Ridgeway scores with a push kick.
Ridgeway fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Barca is out of range.
Ridgeway throws a half hearted mid kick.
Barca keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ridgeway.
Ridgeway uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Barca.
Barca misses with a lunging right hand
and Ridgeway counters with a nice body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Barca shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Barca showed some decent athleticism there.
Barca missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barca is thwarting Ridgeway's attempts to control the position.
Ridgeway wants to get back to his feet.
Barca lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Barca passes to full mount!
Barca scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Ridgeway?
Barca tries to control but Ridgeway wriggling away.
Barca throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Barca throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Ridgeway because Barca loaded up on that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barca throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Ridgeway because Barca loaded up on that one.
Barca lands with some strikes.
Ridgeway takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Barca looking to ground and pound but Ridgeway is blocking nicely.
Barca is trying to control here but Ridgeway has managed to regain half guard.
Barca wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ridgeway keeps working.
Ridgeway trying to hold on to Barca's head to control him but Barca postures up.
Ridgeway is positioning himself well to prevent Barca advancing to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barca working the head and body with strikes.
Barca 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.
Ridgeway has hold of Barca's hands but Barca slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Ridgeway keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Barca missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ridgeway blocking the ground and pound attempt from Barca.

Barca is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Barca not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ridgeway is looking to control Barca's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ridgeway avoid being mounted?
Barca trying to mount his opponent but Ridgeway defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barca is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Barca is thwarting Ridgeway's attempts to control the position.
Barca misses with a head shot. Ridgeway uses the momentum to regain guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ridgeway working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Barca.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hannibal Barca had his way with Mathew Ridgeway in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Barca lands the left hand.
Ridgeway misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Barca shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ridgeway defends it nicely.
Ridgeway throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Barca on the side of the head.
Ridgeway throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barca scores with a one two! Ridgeway had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Barca misses with a straight left.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Ridgeway.
Barca misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ridgeway scores with a jab to the jaw.
Ridgeway swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Barca counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Barca tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ridgeway was well out of range. Poor timing from Barca.
Ridgeway is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Barca with a body shot.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Barca.
Barca throws an overhand right that lands on Ridgeway's shoulder, as Ridgeway tries to avoid the shot.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Ridgeway.
Ridgeway throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

Barca feints and as Ridgeway raises his hands in defense, Barca changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Ridgeway has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Barca has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barca goes for a takedown attempt but Ridgeway pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Barca checks a leg kick.
Barca appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Ridgeway scoring well with a low kick there.
Mathew Ridgeway has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ridgeway throws a head kick that misses.
Ridgeway moves in looking to clinch but Barca pushes him off.
Barca swings for the body but Ridgeway moves out of range.
Barca moves away from the strike by Ridgeway.
Ridgeway stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ridgeway wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hannibal Barca. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ridgeway throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ridgeway fails with an attempt to clinch.
Barca fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ridgeway misses with a leg kick.
Barca throwing a counter right hand but Ridgeway manages to avoid it.
Barca stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ridgeway.
Barca swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Barca with a nice cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barca throws the left hand but Ridgeway avoids the punch easily.
Barca lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Barca will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Ridgeway wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Ridgeway tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Barca closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Barca lands in his opponent's guard.
Ridgeway is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Barca seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Barca trying to control the position from guard on top but Ridgeway is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barca distracts Ridgeway with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ridgeway keeping moving, preventing Barca from controlling successfully.
Barca postures up.
Barca is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Ridgeway is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Barca sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Ridgeway's guard.
Hannibal Barca is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ridgeway is refusing to be controlled, as Barca sits in half guard.

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 Hannibal Barca.
I think Barca 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 49:46
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 49:46
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hannibal Barca!
Hannibal Barca is the new lightweight champion!
Hannibal Barca really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that AnonymouS logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.