PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nate Richardson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joseph Wapner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Richardson's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, This Calling by All That Remains. 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.

Richardson
vs
Wapner

180 cm
29
180 lbs
15 - 11 - 0

180 cm
23
182 lbs
5 - 2 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Powerful

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 15 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nate Richardson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joseph Wapner!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Robert Twigg and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wapner darts in trying to clinch

and Richardson counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Richardson looking to pass the guard.
Wapner keeping moving, preventing Richardson from controlling successfully.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Wapner can do anything to dispel that myth.
Wapner has a closed guard, preventing Richardson from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Nate Richardson.
Richardson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Wapner tries a head kick but it misses.
Wapner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Richardson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Richardson keeps the fight on the outside.
No joy there for Richardson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Richardson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Wapner throws a head kick but Richardson moves out of range.

Wapner closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Richardson wants to break free but Wapner has control.
Richardson trying to land knees to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Wapner just misses with a elbow thrown towards Richardson's brow.
Richardson is looking to control Wapner's arms but Wapner gets an underhook and turns him. Now Richardson has his back to the cage.
Wapner lands an elbow that stopped Richardson in his tracks for a moment.
Richardson takes a knee right on the jaw!
Wapner with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Richardson blocks the elbow strike.
Wapner lands a nice uppercut.
Wapner looking to throw knees to the head but Richardson is blocking nicely.
Wapner lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Wapner scores with a knee to the head.
Wapner lands with a right to the head.
Wapner lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Richardson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Richardson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A good leg kick by Wapner.
Wapner tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Richardson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Richardson misses with a few strikes there.
Wapner tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Wapner clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wapner lands a damaging elbow.
Wapner looking to throw knees to the head but Richardson is blocking nicely.
Richardson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Wapner has Richardson pressed against the cage, preventing Richardson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Richardson has had enough of the clinch but Wapner keeps him there for the moment.
Wapner keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Richardson's efforts to push away.
Wapner lands with a left to the head.
Richardson is trying to break the clinch but Wapner is controlling him.
A short right from Wapner on the inside.
Nice elbow from Wapner.
Richardson is trying to push Wapner away but Wapner has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Richardson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Richardson takes an elbow to the temple.
Wapner lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Wapner connects with a knee to the head.
Wapner tries to land a knee to the head but Richardson blocks with his arms.
Wapner looks gassed!

Richardson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Richardson fails to land with a series of punches.
Wapner blocks a head kick by Richardson.
No joy there for Richardson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Wapner lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Richardson circles away from the clinch attempt
and Richardson counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Wapner is lucky that one didn't land flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richardson throws a right hand that Wapner ducks under and follows up with a left that Wapner also avoids with ease.
Wapner misses with a head kick.
Richardson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Wapner.
Wapner blocks a leg kick.
Wapner scores with a kick to the midsection.
Wapner closes the distance but Richardson moves to the side
and Richardson counters with a leg kick.
Wapner scores with a decent looking hook.
Wapner tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Richardson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Wapner tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Wapner lands a high kick!
Richardson finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Joseph Wapner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Richardson tries a head kick but it misses.
Richardson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Wapner tries a head kick but it misses.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Richardson lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Wapner has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Wapner and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nate Richardson 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.

Wapner connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Richardson misses with a double jab.
Richardson tries to land a leg kick but Wapner saw it coming and moves away.
Wapner wants to clinch but Richardson slips to the side
and Richardson counters with a series of strikes. Wapner will be more careful next time no doubt.
Wapner lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
No joy there for Richardson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Wapner darts in and clinches Richardson up against the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Richardson.
Wapner lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Wapner creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Richardson's defenses.
Richardson is trying to break the clinch but Wapner is controlling him.
Wapner has Richardson pressed against the cage, preventing Richardson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Wapner lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Wapner lands with a left to the head.
Nice elbow from Wapner.
Wapner lands a left hand that snaps the head of Richardson backwards.
Richardson takes a knee right on the jaw!
Richardson is looking to break free of the clinch but Wapner has double underhooks.
Wapner looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Richardson takes a shot to the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wapner prevents Richardson from breaking the clinch.
Wapner lands a left hand.
Richardson tries to break free but Wapner pushes him back against the cage.
Wapner lands a damaging elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wapner scores with a shoulder strike.
Wapner has Richardson pressed against the cage, preventing Richardson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Wapner lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Richardson can't break the clinch.
Richardson has had enough of the clinch but Wapner keeps him there for the moment.
Richardson takes an elbow to the forehead.
Wapner lands a knee to the head.
Richardson is looking to break free of the clinch but Wapner has double underhooks.
A shot in the inside from Wapner.
Wapner working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Richardson working hard to break the clinch.
Richardson is trying to break the clinch but Wapner has him pressed against the cage.
A knee to the head by Wapner.
Richardson tries to break the clinch but Wapner is controlling the position.
Richardson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Wapner.
A short right from Wapner on the inside.
Wapner lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Wapner lands an elbow just above Richardson 's eye.

Richardson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Wapner wants to clinch up but Richardson keeps it at a distance.
Wapner throws a head kick but Richardson moves out of range.
Richardson goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Richardson misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wapner throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Richardson.
Wapner throws a sloppy head kick and Richardson moves out of range easily.

Wapner fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Richardson, pushing him back against the cage.
Richardson is trying to push Wapner away but Wapner has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Wapner gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A frustrated look appears on Richardson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Richardson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Wapner has him pressed against the cage.
Richardson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Wapner working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Richardson tries to break the clinch but Wapner is controlling the position.
Richardson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Richardson is looking to break free of the clinch but Wapner has double underhooks.
Wapner with a knee to the head.
Richardson tries to land a knee to the head but Wapner blocks with his arms.
Wapner lands an elbow inside that Richardson shrugs off.
Wapner comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Wapner connects with a nasty looking knee right to Richardson's face.
Wapner lands an elbow just above Richardson 's eye.
Richardson takes an elbow to the temple.
Richardson tries to break the clinch but Wapner is controlling the position.
Wapner lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Richardson working hard to break the clinch.
Wapner comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Richardson is trying to break the clinch but Wapner has him pressed against the cage.
Wapner softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Richardson manages to break the clinch.
Richardson will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Wapner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Richardson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Wapner tries to clinch up.
Richardson circles away from the clinch attempt
and Richardson counters with a series of strikes. Wapner will be more careful next time no doubt.
Richardson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Wapner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Richardson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Wapner with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Richardson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Wapner tries to clinch up.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Wapner lands an elbow inside.
Nice elbow from Wapner.
Wapner using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Richardson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Richardson blocks an elbow strike from Wapner.
Wapner lands an elbow inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richardson tries to break the clinch but Wapner is controlling the position.
Wapner creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Richardson's defenses.
Wapner creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Wapner gets through Richardson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Richardson wants to break free but Wapner has control.
Wapner working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Richardson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Richardson is trying to push Wapner away but Wapner has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Wapner lands a nice elbow.
Wapner comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Richardson is looking to break free of the clinch but Wapner has double underhooks.
Wapner lands an elbow just above Richardson 's eye.
Wapner lands an elbow that stopped Richardson in his tracks for a moment.

Richardson breaks from the clinch.
Richardson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Wapner tries to clinch but Richardson is having none of it.
Wapner tries to clinch there but Richardson circles away.
Wapner tries to close the distance and clinch but Richardson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Wapner throws a head kick that misses.
Wapner throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Richardson's head.

Wapner moves into range and clinches up with Richardson.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Richardson is trying to break free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph Wapner showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Wapner throws a head kick that misses
and Richardson counters with a one-two to the body.

Wapner takes the fight into the clinch.
Richardson dodges an elbow strike from Wapner.
Richardson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Richardson missing with knees to the body.
Wapner lands a knee to the head.
Richardson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Wapner with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Wapner with a knee to the head.
Wapner with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Richardson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Richardson blocks the elbow strike.
Richardson dodges an elbow strike from Wapner.
Wapner lands with a right to the head.
Richardson avoids the elbow strike from Wapner, against the cage.
Wapner has Richardson pressed against the cage, preventing Richardson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Richardson is trying to break free.
Richardson tries to land knees in the clinch but Wapner avoids the damage to the body.
Wapner has Richardson pressed against the cage, preventing Richardson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Richardson is looking to break free of the clinch but Wapner has double underhooks.
Wapner lands with a right to the head.
Wapner lands an elbow that stopped Richardson in his tracks for a moment.
Richardson is trying to force a seperation but Wapner has the dominant position.
A frustrated look appears on Richardson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Richardson wants to get back to striking at distance but Wapner won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Wapner.
Wapner pushes Richardson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Wapner misses with an elbow strike.
Richardson is trying to break the clinch but Wapner has him pressed against the cage.
Richardson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Wapner lands a shoulder strike.
Wapner looking to throw knees to the head but Richardson is blocking nicely.
Richardson blocks an elbow strike.

Richardson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Richardson avoids the head kick by Wapner.
Wapner wants to clinch.
Richardson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Wapner tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Wapner tries a head kick but it misses.
Richardson scores with a one two! Wapner had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Richardson throws a series of punches but Wapner avoids them all with ease.
Richardson misses with a low kick.
A head kick misses from Wapner.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wapner tries to close the distance and clinch but Richardson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Richardson takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Richardson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Wapner clinches up with Richardson and pushes him back against the cage.
Wapner prevents Richardson from breaking the clinch.
Richardson blocks an elbow strike from Wapner.
Richardson can't break the clinch.
Richardson tries to circle away but Wapner has him pinned against the cage.
Richardson wants to get back to striking at distance but Wapner won't allow it.
Wapner misses with an elbow over the top.
Wapner lands a right hand that snaps the head of Richardson backwards.
Wapner pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Wapner lands a nice elbow.
Richardson dodges an elbow strike from Wapner.
Wapner prevents Richardson from breaking the clinch.
Richardson tries to break the clinch but Wapner is controlling the position.

Richardson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Richardson feints a jab promting Wapner to slip. Richardson then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Wapner slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Richardson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Richardson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Richardson. Those never looked like landing.
Wapner tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Richardson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A chopping leg kick lands by Wapner.
Wapner moves in looking to clinch but Richardson pushes him off.
Wapner tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Richardson counters with a left and a right that stings Wapner.
Wapner avoids the head kick by Richardson.
Wapner tries to clinch but Richardson is having none of it.
Wapner lands a high kick!
Nate Richardson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Richardson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Wapner tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Richardson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Richardson walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Wapner wants to clinch up but Richardson keeps it at a distance.
Wapner is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Richardson.
The fight stays on the outside here - Wapner looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Wapner doesn't manage to clinch there - Richardson circles away.
Richardson feints a jab promting Wapner to slip. Richardson then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Wapner slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wapner wants to clinch up but Richardson keeps it at a distance.
Wapner wants to clinch
and Richardson counters with a low kick, right behind Wapner 's knee.

Wapner has managed to clinch.
Wapner lands an uppercut.
Richardson can't break the clinch.

Richardson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wapner fails in his attempt to clinch.
Richardson throws a series of punches but Wapner avoids them all with ease.
Richardson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Wapner ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Richardson takes a kick to the side of the head.
Richardson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Richardson throws out a leg kick but Wapner moves out of range and Richardson only half commits.
Wapner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Richardson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Wapner tries to clinch there but Richardson circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nate Richardson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Richardson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nate Richardson!