PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Richard Riddick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gabriel Emerson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Emerson has chosen Laurent Wolf - No Stress as his entrance music. 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.

Riddick
vs
Emerson

180 cm
22
175 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

185 cm
25
180 lbs
7 - 4 - 2

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Richard Riddick!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gabriel Emerson!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Edson Gomes and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Riddick throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Emerson was covering up waiting for the punch and Riddick finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Emerson is looking for a triangle but Riddick pushes his legs off easily.
Emerson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Emerson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Riddick doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Riddick manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Emerson wants to stand but Riddick is controlling the position.
Riddick slips nicely into half guard.
Emerson trying to control but Riddick postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riddick throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Emerson looking for submissions off his back.

Riddick is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Emerson sees it coming and defends easily.

Riddick 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.
Emerson tries to get to full guard but Riddick has control of the leg.

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.
Riddick with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Emerson has a hand on Riddick's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Riddick takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!

Riddick goes for an armbar but Emerson turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Emerson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Riddick looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Emerson tries to free his leg and advance position but Riddick is retaining full guard.
Riddick working a defensive guard here.
Emerson is looking to advance position but Riddick has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Riddick thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Emerson working to try and regain half guard.
Riddick misses with a head shot.
Emerson wants to control but Riddick is having none of it.

Riddick goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Emerson turns into him and now he's in Riddick's guard.
Emerson wants to control from the top but Riddick keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Riddick dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Emerson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Riddick!
Riddick is desperately trying to improve his position but Emerson has a good base and remains in mount.

Emerson jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Riddick is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Riddick and Emerson has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Riddick stops Emerson from passing to mount.
Riddick is trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Emerson tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Emerson has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Emerson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Riddick has escaped the position, nice work there.
Emerson tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Riddick is trying to control Emerson's posture but Emerson avoids it.

That's two 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.

Emerson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Riddick is not content to let Emerson control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Riddick tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Emerson paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emerson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Riddick has his takedown stuffed
and Emerson counters with a straight right hand.

Riddick closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Emerson did well to prevent Riddick getting side control.

Riddick is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Emerson sees it coming and defends easily.
Riddick is looking to stall here but Emerson recovers full guard.
Riddick wants to control from the top but Emerson keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emerson trying to control the position.
Riddick trying to control the position from guard on top but Emerson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Riddick avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Riddick drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Emerson manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Riddick has Emerson in his guard.
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 Richard Riddick will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Riddick shoots in and bounces Emerson off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Riddick postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Emerson is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Riddick, into his guard.
Riddick can't keep his opponent in guard - Emerson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riddick wants to get back to full guard.

Emerson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Riddick sees it coming and defends easily.
Riddick is refusing to be controlled, as Emerson sits in half guard.
Riddick won't allow Emerson to pass to mount.

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.
Riddick is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Emerson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Emerson's back!
Emerson manages to reverse the position and now he's in Riddick's guard. Nice work there by Emerson.
Emerson wants to control from the top but Riddick keeps moving.

Emerson drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Riddick manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Emerson has Riddick in his guard.
Emerson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Riddick drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Riddick jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Riddick drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Emerson manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Riddick has Emerson in his guard.
Emerson looking to pass the guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Riddick holds on and takes a little breather.

That's four 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.
Riddick keeping moving, preventing Emerson from controlling successfully.
Emerson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Riddick swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Riddick is trying to control the position but Emerson postures up.
Emerson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Riddick swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Emerson passes into half guard.
Gabriel Emerson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Richard Riddick is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Emerson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Riddick defends it well.

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 Richard Riddick.
Well Riddick 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Richard Riddick!