PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ricky Judge (ranked 574 p4p, 1915 weight class) and Tico Tico (ranked 34 p4p, 112 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Judge might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to The Game- Disturbed. Tico has chosen Paco De Lucia - Tico Tico as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Judge
vs
Tico

167 cm
26
146
4 - 1 - 0

163 cm
22
139
9 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ricky Judge!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tico Tico!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Viktor Lagutenko and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tico goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Judge swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tico fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Judge manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Tico on his heels. He'll look to pass Tico's guard now, I'm sure.
Tico bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Judge's guard.

There's a bit of a scramble here and now Judge is on top in guard.

Tico wants to sweep but no luck.
Tico is adopting a defensive guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Judge stands and throws Tico's legs to the side, diving into side control.
You can see the frustration on Tico's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tico is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Judge is thwarting Tico's attempts to control the position.
Tico is looking to improve his position.

Judge seems to be working for a kimura but Tico defends the submission attempt.
Tico is looking to control Judge's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Tico avoid being mounted?
Tico tries to roll over but Judge keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Judge throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Judge performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Tico felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Tico is trying to maintain the position but Judge is very close to passing his half guard.
Judge is taking a breather. Tico says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Judge seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Tico does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Tico thuds a left hand into Judge's body.
Tico swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Judge shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tico as he avoids it easily.
Judge avoids a punch combination nicely.

Judge is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Tico's half guard.
Judge is controlling the pace.
Judge is looking to take a break and control but Tico is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tico wants to improve his position but Judge is controlling well.
Tico wants to get back to his feet.
Tico is trying to control but can't.
Judge prevents Tico from improving his position.
Tico has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Judge is working away from the top position though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Judge in particular looking to stall.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Tico connects with a right hand. Judge shakes it off.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Tico Tico will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Judge shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Judge throws a lazy right hand but Tico sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tico lands a jab to the head.
Judge connects with a crisp jab.
Judge shoots in for a takedown but Tico shows good takedown defense.
Tico feints a counter leg kick.
Tico lands a jab.
Tico throws a hook to the side of Judge's head but Judge sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tico throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nice sprawl there from Tico as Judge shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricky Judge. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tico stuffs the takedown attempt from Judge. Judge gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Judge avoids the body shot from Tico.
Tico clobbers Judge with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Judge checks a leg kick.
Tico stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Tico wants it to stay on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tico stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Tico wants it to stay on the feet.
Tico rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Judge moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ricky Judge seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tico scores with a hook to the body. Judge takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Judge shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Tico is refusing to be controlled, as Judge sits in half guard.
Tico trying to control from the bottom.

Judge is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Judge wants to take a breather but Tico is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Judge is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Tico is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Tico has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tico tries to get to full guard but Judge has control of the leg.
Judge is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Judge tries for a takedown but Tico circles away easily
and Judge takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Judge has his takedown stuffed
and Tico counters with a big head kick but Judge shrugs it off.
Tico throws a low kick, looking for Judge's leg but Judge calmly moves out of range.
A big right from Tico misses.
Judge tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Tico defends well and Judge ends up having to push Tico into the ropes where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Tico appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Judge goes for a takedown attempt but Tico pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Judge will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Judge tries for a takedown but Tico sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Judge tries for a takedown but Tico sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Tico tries to bum rush Judge with a series of wild strikes but Judge uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Judge attempts a counter takedown but Tico avoids it well and moves away.
Judge misses with a takedown attempt - Tico sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Judge with a poor takedown
and Tico counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Judge throws a hook to the side of Tico's head but Tico sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tico throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tico scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Judge doesn't seem bothered though.
Tico misses with a straight right.
Tico jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tico Tico is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tico throws a nice outside leg kick.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Tico enables Judge to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Tico manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Judge trying to control the position from guard on top but Tico is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Judge postures up.
Judge trying to control but Tico is working from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tico Tico showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Judge shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tico defends it nicely.
Tico lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Judge circles away quickly and effectively.
Judge moves out of range of the leg kick from Tico.
Tico is looking to land body kicks.
Judge shoots in but Tico avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Tico let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Tico connects with a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Judge keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tico.
Judge shoots in for a double leg but Tico sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricky Judge. That's going to take a lot out of him.
An inside leg kick lands from Tico.

Judge closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Tico's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tico working a defensive guard here.
Tico 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.
Judge controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Tico really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Judge. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Judge wants to control from the top but Tico keeps moving.
Judge 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.
Tico working a defensive guard here.

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.
Judge wants to pass the guard but Tico is keeping the position.
Judge wants to control from the top but Tico keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Judge pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Judge will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Judge misses with a takedown
enabling Tico to counter with a crisp jab.
Judge is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tico sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Judge throws a looping overhand right but Tico ducks down to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tico misses with a straight right.
Tico throws a body punch but Judge moves out of range.
Tico tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Judge was well out of range. Poor timing from Tico.
Judge fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Tico connects with a solid leg kick.
No luck for Judge with that takedown attempt.
The fighters circling - Tico throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Judge drops down looking for a counter takedown but Tico sprawls and moves away.
Judge looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Judge closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Tico moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Judge is looking to work some ground and pound but Tico has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Judge stopping the sweep attempt from Tico.
Judge trying to control but Tico is working from the bottom.
Judge controls from within his opponent's guard.
Tico wants to sweep but no luck.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Judge trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Tico 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.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Judge shoots in and drives through. Tico sprawls well.
Judge uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tico.
Tico misses with a body shot.
Tico lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Tico as Judge shoots in.
Judge checks a low kick from Tico.
Tico misses with a looping right.

Judge closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Tico's guard.
Tico pulls Judge in close to prevent any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tico controls Judge momentarily but Judge frees himself.
Judge with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Judge is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Tico is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Judge content to stall in guard here.
Judge trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tico is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's two 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.
Judge shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricky Judge. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Judge shoots and misses
and Tico connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Judge with a poor takedown
and Tico counters with a nice body shot.
Tico uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Judge.
The crowd cheers as Tico lands an impressive looking overhand right. Judge doesn't seem phased though.
Judge fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Tico keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Tico gets caught flat footed, as Judge shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Tico has his hands on Judge's head, controlling the position.
Judge is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Ricky Judge overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Judge is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Judge trying to control the position from guard on top but Tico is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tico is trying to control the position but Judge postures up.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

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.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Judge shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Judge was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Tico sneaks out the side door and pushes Judge away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Tico scores with a jab. Judge acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Tico connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Nice takedown defense from Tico. No joy for Judge on that attempt.
Tico tries a quick counter leg kick but Judge is wise to it.
Nice uppercut lands for Judge. That snapped Tico's head back.

Judge throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Tico tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Judge is in Tico's guard.
Tico trying to control the position here.
Tico trying to control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tico Tico dominated that fourth round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Judge checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Judge's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Tico connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Judge scrambles back to his feet.
Tico throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

Judge shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Tico is trying to defend but Judge finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Tico wants to improve his position but Judge is controlling well.

Judge is working for a submission of some sort.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Judge is keen to just control but Tico is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tico is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Tico wants to control but Judge is keeping busy.
Judge performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Tico trying to control but Judge postures up.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Judge wants to work for an arm triangle but Tico is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's two 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.
Tico wants to control but Judge is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Tico is staying active underneath Judge, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Tico Tico seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tico works the jab nicely.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Judge is defended easily by Tico.
Judge looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Judge misses with a hook to the body
and Tico connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Tico tries to work over Judge's front leg with a kick but Judge checks it.
Horrible takedown attempt by Judge or perhaps it was just good defense by Tico, which made it look bad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tico lands a head shot.
Judge tries for a takedown but Tico sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricky Judge. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Judge scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Ricky Judge has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Judge blocks a head kick by Tico.
Judge misses with a takedown attempt
and Tico counters with a straight right hand.
Judge shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Tico counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
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.
Judge looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tico is fending him off so far but Judge persists. Nope, Tico circles away and we're back to standing.
Judge moves forwards but Tico connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Judge scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Judge is keen to just control but Tico is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tico trying to control from the bottom.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Judge wants to take a breather but Tico is having none of it.
Judge is taking a breather. Tico says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Judge is looking to take a break and control but Tico is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Tico is looking to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Judge wants to take a breather but Tico is having none of it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tico Tico comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Tico winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 45:50
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 45:50
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tico Tico!
Tico Tico is the new bantamweight champion!
Tico Tico bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.