PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Merv Ridley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Oscar Roberts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ridley kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Don't Turn Off The Lights - Enrique Iglesias . Merv Ridley has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Ridley
vs
Roberts

180 cm
26
163 lbs
7 - 11 - 0

175 cm
22
155 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Merv Ridley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Oscar Roberts!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Paul Tew and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Roberts scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ridley is trying to get back to half guard.
Ridley takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

It looks like Merv Ridley has been cut.
Ridley is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Roberts throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Roberts connects with a nice short shot to Ridley's temple.
Roberts thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Roberts not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Roberts missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ridley is trying to get back to full guard.
Roberts has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Ridley tries to reverse the position but Roberts maintains control.
Roberts lands a nice shot to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Roberts cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Roberts scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Ridley?
Roberts lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

Ridley is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ridley throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Oh Ridley is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Ridley regains half guard.
Ridley seems to have got his legs back now.
Ridley is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Roberts's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Roberts's back!
Roberts is trying to get back to his feet but Ridley has full control of the position and if anything, Roberts has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Ridley looking for the RNC.
Roberts wants to get back to his feet.
Roberts looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Roberts is trying escape back to his feet. He turns into his opponent's guard and eventually finds his way back to his feet.

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

Ridley looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Roberts is working Ridley over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Roberts landing some decent shots from guard.

Ridley working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Roberts doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Roberts manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Roberts stands up over Ridley, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roberts working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Roberts makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Ridley has momentary wrist control but Roberts slips an elbow through the middle.
Roberts is in close to Ridley's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Ridley is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Ridley working for a triangle but Roberts defends it easily.
Ridley has momentary wrist control but Roberts slips an elbow through the middle.
Ridley has momentary wrist control but Roberts slips an elbow through the middle.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Roberts's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Roberts is in close to Ridley's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Roberts with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Roberts works over Ridley with some ground and pound from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Roberts postures up and lands a big shot to Ridley's brow.
Roberts lands a couple of digs.
Roberts is working Ridley over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Roberts passes into half guard.
Roberts 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.

Roberts is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Ridley wants to get back to full guard.
Roberts tries to pass the half guard into mount. Ridley knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Roberts is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Roberts winds up and cracks Ridley with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Roberts not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oscar Roberts dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Merv Ridley's cut.
That's time! Ridley's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Roberts looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Ridley tries to roll over but Roberts keeps him under control.
Roberts scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Ridley wants to get back to full guard.
Roberts working the head and body with strikes.
Nice strikes from Roberts there.
Roberts looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Roberts is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Ridley looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Roberts lands a nice short elbow.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Roberts is thwarting Ridley's attempts to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roberts slips a nice elbow through Ridley's hands, connecting with Ridley's forehead.
Roberts drops an elbow to the side of Ridley's head.
Roberts sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ridley defending well though.
Roberts lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Ridley is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Roberts pulls his head out easily.
Roberts working over Ridley with some ground and pound. Ridley looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Roberts wants to work for an arm triangle but Ridley is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Ridley is trying to get back to full guard.
Roberts seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Roberts scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Roberts drops an elbow to the side of Ridley's head.

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.
Roberts working Ridley over with strikes.
Ridley is trying to control but can't.

Roberts is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ridley defends it well.
Nice strikes from Roberts there.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Roberts tries to bum rush Ridley with a series of wild strikes but Ridley uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Roberts drives through with a takedown into guard.
Roberts postures up in Ridley's guard and throws a big left but Ridley blocks it.

Ridley is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Ridley working for a triangle but Roberts defends it easily.
Roberts is in close to Ridley's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roberts landing some decent shots from guard.

Ridley is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Roberts content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Roberts working some strikes from top position.
Ridley has momentary wrist control but Roberts slips an elbow through the middle.

Ridley escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Roberts gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Ridley has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Roberts can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Roberts got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ridley has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Roberts has managed to get both his arms back between Ridley's legs - danger averted.

That's four 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.
Roberts is working Ridley over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Roberts postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Roberts is in close to Ridley's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Roberts stands up over Ridley, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Roberts is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Roberts lands a couple of digs.
Roberts landing some decent shots from guard.
Ridley controls Roberts momentarily but Roberts frees himself.
Roberts working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Ridley throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Roberts is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Roberts with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Roberts trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oscar Roberts showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Merv Ridley's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Roberts scores with a takedown into Ridley's guard.
Roberts throws a big right hand that misses.
Roberts must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Ridley had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Roberts defends it easily.
Roberts thows a big elbow that misses.

Ridley looking for a guillotine here but Roberts defends easily.
Ridley trying to keep a closed guard but Roberts is proving a slippery customer.
Roberts is working Ridley over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Ridley trying to control the position.
Roberts cracks Ridley with a solid left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roberts is working Ridley over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Oscar Roberts has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ridley has momentary wrist control but Roberts slips an elbow through the middle.
Roberts working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Ridley looking for a guillotine here but Roberts defends easily.
Roberts landing some decent shots from guard.
Roberts postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Roberts 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.
Ridley working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Roberts.
Roberts makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Merv Ridley has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
Ridley tries to strike from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Roberts darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Roberts passes to full mount!
Roberts blocks Ridley's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Roberts connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Roberts breaks from Ridley's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Ridley is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Ridley is working hard here to advance position.
Roberts in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Ridley tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roberts pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Roberts with the ground and pound from mount.
Ridley is working to get back to half guard.
Ridley tries to hold on but Roberts postures up.
A nice elbow there by Roberts.
Roberts landing strikes from the mount and Ridley is in trouble!
Roberts landing shots from mount.
Roberts working away from the top, dropping strikes.
A nice elbow there by Roberts.
Ridley can't escape the position.
A nice elbow there by Roberts.
Ridley sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Roberts drops an elbow to the side of Ridley's head.

Roberts is trying to improve position by moving to mount. Ridley has hold of his neck though and manages to move into guard! All of a sudden, Roberts is in a lot of trouble! Ridley is straining to finish and he's done it! Roberts taps out! Amazing!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:24 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Merv Ridley!