PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Cesar Ribeiro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rodrigo Verson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Ribeiro might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Lo Boy-This Is How I Bang . Cesar Ribeiro has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ribeiro
vs
Verson

171 cm
21
150 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

173 cm
21
150 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

ADCC Champion
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Cesar Ribeiro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rodrigo Verson!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Mauricio Rocha and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ribeiro avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ribeiro. Verson does a little dance to reset his feet.
A jab from Verson misses.
Verson swings for the body but Ribeiro moves out of range.
Ribeiro misses with a few strikes there.
Ribeiro uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Verson.
Ribeiro moves away from the strike by Verson.
Ribeiro keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Verson tries to clinch but Ribeiro moves out of range.
Ribeiro just misses with a punch to the body.
Verson swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Ribeiro counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Verson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Verson lands an overhand right.
Rodrigo Verson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Verson misses the shot to the body.
Verson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ribeiro manages to avoid it.
Ribeiro avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Verson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Ribeiro on the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Verson misses with a wild body shot.
Ribeiro connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Verson's hands.
Verson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ribeiro.
Verson closes the distance looking to clinch
and Ribeiro makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Verson thows a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verson throws a hook to the side of Ribeiro's head but Ribeiro sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Verson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Ribeiro to the mat! Ribeiro manages to get full guard.
Verson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Verson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Verson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ribeiro wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Verson wants to pass the guard but Ribeiro is keeping the position.
Verson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Ribeiro keeping full guard, as Verson tries to pass.
Verson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ribeiro has Verson pulled in close to control his posture.
Ribeiro utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Verson won't allow Ribeiro to sweep him here.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Verson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Verson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Verson trying to control the position from guard on top but Ribeiro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ribeiro on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Ribeiro tries to get out of the position.

Verson 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.
Verson stays in close to Ribeiro's body and controls the position.
Verson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ribeiro keeping moving, preventing Verson from controlling successfully.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Ribeiro holds on and takes a little breather.

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

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Rodrigo Verson wasn't active enough on the ground.
Verson misses with a body shot
and Ribeiro counters with a nice uppercut.
Verson closes the distance but Ribeiro moves to the side
and Ribeiro counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Verson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ribeiro.
Ribeiro rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Verson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Verson swings away with a body shot that misses
and Verson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Verson connects with a body shot.
Ribeiro keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ribeiro gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Verson.
Ribeiro scores with a nice head shot.
Verson swings for the body but Ribeiro moves out of range.
Verson tries to clinch but fails miserably
letting Ribeiro counter with a right hand.
Verson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ribeiro's waist but Ribeiro gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Verson off to one side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro misses with a wild body shot.
Ribeiro scores with a jab to the head.
Verson loads up on a big right hand but Ribeiro slips the punch.
Verson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ribeiro stuffs the takedown.
Cesar Ribeiro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodrigo Verson.
Ribeiro misses with a body shot.
Ribeiro misses with a straight left.
Verson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Verson shoots in but Ribeiro avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Verson throws a predictable looking body shot
and Ribeiro counters with a nice body shot.
Verson takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Verson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ribeiro was well out of range. Poor timing from Verson.
Verson moves out of range of the strikes.
Ribeiro moves away from the strike by Verson.
Ribeiro looks to score with a jab to the body but Verson is just out of range.
Ribeiro fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Verson slips a jab and a cross from Ribeiro.
Ribeiro scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A swing and a miss from Ribeiro.
Nice uppercut lands for Ribeiro. That snapped Verson's head back.
Verson walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cesar Ribeiro dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Verson misses the body punch
and Ribeiro connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ribeiro uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Verson.
Ribeiro connects with a single shot there.
Verson tries to clinch but Ribeiro is having none of it.
Ribeiro displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Verson throws out the jab.
Verson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ribeiro.
Ribeiro looks to land a combination but Verson avoids it well.
A telegraphed right hand from Verson misses the target.
Ribeiro lands the left hand.
Verson lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ribeiro. Verson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ribeiro staying out of range there.
Verson is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Nice defenses there by Ribeiro.
Ribeiro throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Verson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Verson misses the body punch
and Ribeiro counters with a stiff right hand.
Verson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Verson swings away with a body shot that misses
and Ribeiro connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Verson shoots in and drives through. Ribeiro sprawls well.
Ribeiro ducks under a wild hook from Verson.
Verson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ribeiro misses the jab.
Ribeiro ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Verson scores with a nice head shot.
Ribeiro clobbers Verson with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Verson shoots and misses
and Ribeiro counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Verson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ribeiro.
Ribeiro stuffs the takedown.
Cesar Ribeiro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodrigo Verson.
Verson takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Verson just misses with a punch to the body.
Ribeiro throws a series of punches but Verson moves out of range.
Decent striking displayed by Ribeiro there.
Verson takes a swing at Ribeiro's ribcage but misses.
Verson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Verson takes one on the button.
Ribeiro paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Verson blocks a jab.
Ribeiro misses with a two punch combination.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ribeiro. Verson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Verson misses the shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left lands for Ribeiro.
Verson misses with a shot to the body
and Ribeiro counters with a left to the body.
Ribeiro takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Verson misses with a wild body shot.
Verson slips a jab from Ribeiro.
Ribeiro swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Verson is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Ribeiro rather than just go for the knockout.
Verson looks to clinch
and Ribeiro counters with a left to the body.

Verson clinches with his opponent.
Verson misses with the head strike.
Ribeiro can't break the clinch.
Verson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ribeiro effectively controlling the action here.
A right handed body shot lands from Verson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verson lands a right hand.
Ribeiro stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Ribeiro is trying to break the clinch but Verson has him pressed against the cage.
Verson misses with a punch to the body.
Verson is leaning against Ribeiro and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Verson lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Verson swings wildly with an uppercut but Ribeiro uses good head movement to avoid it.
Verson tries to throw a body punch but Ribeiro avoids it by throwing Verson back against the cage.
Verson lands a body shot in the clinch.
Verson lands a body shot in the clinch.

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.
Ribeiro blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Verson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Verson lands a body shot in the clinch.
Ribeiro prevents a body shot from Verson.
Verson lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ribeiro tries to stall but Verson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Verson struggles to land a body shot inside as Ribeiro controls his hands.
Ribeiro is looking to control Verson's arms but Verson gets an underhook and turns him. Now Ribeiro has his back to the cage.
Ribeiro wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Verson misses with the head strike.
Verson working aggressively here.
Verson struggles to land a body shot inside as Ribeiro controls his hands.
Verson misses with the head strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cesar Ribeiro dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Verson ducks right into an uppercut from Ribeiro.
Nice shot lands for Ribeiro.
Ribeiro throws a body punch but Verson moves out of range.
Verson's corner calls for a 1-2. Verson obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Verson walks into a straight right hand from Ribeiro.
Verson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Cesar Ribeiro is winning the standup battle so far.
Ribeiro moves out of range of the strikes.
Verson throws a body punch but Ribeiro moves out of range.
Verson swings and misses with a shot to the body
letting Ribeiro counter with a right hand.
Verson slips a jab and a cross from Ribeiro.
Verson moves in looking to clinch but Ribeiro pushes him off.
Verson slips a straight right by Ribeiro.
Verson has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Ribeiro darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Verson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Verson moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A shot to the body from Verson misses
and Ribeiro counters with a nice uppercut.
Ribeiro thows a body shot but no joy.
Ribeiro with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Verson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Verson throws a body punch but Ribeiro moves out of range.
Ribeiro jabs Verson right on the nose. Verson blinks but takes it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verson throws a shot from downtown. Ribeiro moves away and avoids it.
Ribeiro swats away the attempt to clinch by Verson.
Verson misses with a body punch
and Ribeiro makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Ribeiro blocks a jab.
Ribeiro misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ribeiro uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Verson has time to react.
No joy there for Verson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Verson staying out of range there.
Verson lands with a right hand.
Cesar Ribeiro is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ribeiro punishes Verson's body with a nice straight punch.
Verson misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Ribeiro makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

Verson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Verson slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Verson throws a strike but Ribeiro rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ribeiro preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Verson being controlled here, momentarily.
Ribeiro wants to stand but Verson is controlling his posture from full guard.

Verson looking for a guillotine here but Ribeiro defends easily.
Ribeiro controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Verson trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Verson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ribeiro is aware though and is defending well.
Ribeiro sitting in guard here, content to control.

Verson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rodrigo Verson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Verson 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.
Verson working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Verson being controlled here, momentarily.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Cesar Ribeiro just wasn't active enough.
Verson misses with a body shot.
Verson swings away with a body shot that misses
and Ribeiro counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Verson throws a body punch but Ribeiro moves out of range.
Ribeiro connects with a nice looking jab.
Verson swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Ribeiro counters with a stiff right hand.
Verson looks to land a left hand but Ribeiro moved out of range nicely.
Ribeiro lands a nice looking body shot.
Verson with a jab.
Verson misses with a jab to the body
letting Ribeiro counter with a right hand.
Verson throws a hook but Ribeiro avoids it easily.
Ribeiro bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Verson's head.
Cesar Ribeiro is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Verson fails to land the takedown.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cesar Ribeiro showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ribeiro, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cesar Ribeiro!