PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yoruba Ahimbe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and D J Rich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ahimbe comes to the cage accompanied by "Hit em Up" Tupac. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Ahimbe
vs
J Rich

178 cm
27
155 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

173 cm
25
145 lbs
10 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Yoruba Ahimbe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, D J Rich!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Alexandre Firmino and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ahimbe lands a body shot.
Rich fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rich defending well as Ahimbe loads up on a big left hand.
Ahimbe throws a sloppy head kick and Rich moves out of range easily.
Ahimbe misses with a straight right.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Ahimbe.
Ahimbe throws a leg kick that misses.
Ahimbe will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Yoruba Ahimbe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rich slips a jab from Ahimbe.
Ahimbe lands with an uppercut that bounces Rich off the cage and back into rage.
Ahimbe scores with a jab.
Rich throws out a leg kick but Ahimbe moves out of range and Rich only half commits.
Rich keeps the fight on the outside.
Rich throws a sloppy head kick and Ahimbe moves out of range easily.
Rich uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ahimbe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rich bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ahimbe moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Rich moves out of range of the strikes.
Rich will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rich scores with a one two! Ahimbe had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Ahimbe doesn't manage to clinch there - Rich circles away.
Rich tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Ahimbe catches Rich with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Ahimbe throws a big shot that misses.
Ahimbe connects with a body shot.
Rich shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling Ahimbe to counter with a crisp jab.
Yoruba Ahimbe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of D J Rich.
Ahimbe connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Rich momentarily.
Rich misses with a head kick.
Ahimbe moves out of range of the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rich swats away the attempt to clinch by Ahimbe.
Ahimbe throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Ahimbe tries to clinch up but Rich circles away and keeps his distance.
Rich with a lazy takedown attempt
and Ahimbe counters with a right hand to the body.
Ahimbe lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Ahimbe.
Ahimbe throws a big shot that misses.
Ahimbe connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ahimbe tries to clinch but Rich is having none of it.
Rich walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Ahimbe tries to clinch up.
Ahimbe with a nice cross.
Rich gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Ahimbe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rich tries a head kick but it misses.
Ahimbe circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ahimbe misses with a body shot.

Ahimbe closes the distance and clinches.
Ahimbe stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Ahimbe misses with a hook to the ribs.
The referee is keeping an eye on Ahimbe - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Ahimbe tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rich's elbow.
Ahimbe lands with a short shot to the head.

Ahimbe's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rich misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Ahimbe counters by moving into the clinch.
Rich is stalling here.
Ahimbe lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Ahimbe.
Ahimbe connects with a knee to the head.
Ahimbe tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rich avoids it.
Rich tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Rich prevents a takedown attempt there.

Ahimbe's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ahimbe throws an overhand right that lands on Rich's shoulder, as Rich tries to avoid the shot.
Rich misses with a takedown attempt - Ahimbe sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rich. Ahimbe does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ahimbe misses with a looping left.
Ahimbe tests Rich's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Ahimbe scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoruba Ahimbe dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rich takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Rich walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Rich throws the left hand but Ahimbe avoids the punch easily.

Rich gets the takedown into side control.
Rich creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Ahimbe sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Rich looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Ahimbe sneaks back into half guard.
Ahimbe missing with punches from the bottom.
Ahimbe makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ahimbe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ahimbe is on top in guard.
Ahimbe advances position into side control!
Ahimbe cracks Rich with a big elbow.
Rich is looking to reverse the position.
Rich gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Ground and pound from Ahimbe.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rich is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ahimbe's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ahimbe's back!
Rich connects with a big shot to the side of Ahimbe's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rich is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Rich tries to get the hooks in deep but Ahimbe pushed the leg off.
Rich is breathing heavily.
Ahimbe is trying to break free.
Rich looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Ahimbe tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Ahimbe is trying desperately to improve position.

Rich is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Ahimbe has managed to escape the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rich throwing strikes here but Ahimbe is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.

Rich jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Ahimbe is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Ahimbe and Rich has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Ahimbe is trying to get back to half guard.
Rich looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Ahimbe is avoiding damage well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ahimbe tries to bench press Rich off him but Rich keeps the position.
Rich wants to control but Ahimbe is keeping him busy.

Rich looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Ahimbe sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Ahimbe trying to control but Rich postures up.
Rich stops Ahimbe from getting back to his feet.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Ahimbe bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ahimbe misses with an uppercut.
Ahimbe throws a body punch but Rich moves out of range.
The fighters circle momentarily. Ahimbe darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Ahimbe checks the leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoruba Ahimbe dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Ahimbe shoots and misses
and Rich counters with a head kick.
Rich uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ahimbe has time to react.
Ahimbe misses with a hook. Rich ducked under it nicely.
Ahimbe misses with a wild body shot.

Rich shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ahimbe manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Rich wants to control from the top but Ahimbe keeps moving.
Rich trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ahimbe lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Rich!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ahimbe lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Rich hang on?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rich is in a horrible position here. Ahimbe smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Ahimbe looking to control but Rich is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Rich is desperately trying to improve his position but Ahimbe has a good base and remains in mount.
Ahimbe punishing his opponent with strikes.
Ahimbe dominating with strikes here.
Rich is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Ahimbe putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahimbe prevents Rich from getting the reversal.
Ahimbe working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Rich manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Ahimbe looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Rich with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Ahimbe is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Ahimbe is looking to take a break and control but Rich is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ahimbe 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahimbe working Rich over with strikes.
Rich tries to roll over but Ahimbe keeps him under control.
Ahimbe is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Rich reverses the position - he's now on top in Ahimbe's guard.
Rich missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rich tries to free his leg and advance position but Ahimbe is retaining full guard.
Rich is looking to stand up but Ahimbe won't let him.
Rich won't allow Ahimbe to sweep him here.

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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Rich tries to clinch there but Ahimbe circles away.
Ahimbe looks to land a right hand but Rich moved out of range.
Ahimbe throws a shot from downtown. Rich moves away and avoids it.
Ahimbe stuns Rich with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Rich looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Rich steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ahimbe.
Ahimbe throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Yoruba Ahimbe is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ahimbe has a takedown stuffed.
Rich avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rich looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
D J Rich has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Good exchange - Ahimbe coming out on top.

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 Yoruba Ahimbe.
Well Ahimbe 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yoruba Ahimbe!