PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Brad Highsmith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Ripper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Highsmith
vs
Ripper

179 cm
22
165 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

174 cm
24
157 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Good elbows
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 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Brad Highsmith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jack Ripper!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Aleksandr Martynov and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ripper gets a clinch.
Highsmith dodges an elbow strike from Ripper.
Highsmith avoids the elbow strike from Ripper, against the cage.
Highsmith wants a takedown but no success here.
Ripper lands an elbow inside.

Highsmith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Highsmith is looking to land body kicks.
Highsmith shoots in for a double leg but Ripper sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Highsmith closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ripper can do anything to dispel that myth.
Ripper desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Ripper is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ripper is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Ripper trying to control but Highsmith postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ripper desperately trying to maintain half guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Highsmith decides to return to a standing position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Highsmith fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brad Highsmith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ripper circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ripper avoids the head kick by Highsmith.

Highsmith shoots in and bounces Ripper off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Highsmith trying to control the position from guard on top but Ripper is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ripper has Highsmith pulled in close to control his posture.
Highsmith trying to stand up but can't free himself from Ripper's guard.
Highsmith postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Highsmith 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.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Brad Highsmith just wasn't active enough.
Highsmith shoots for a double leg takedown but Ripper sprawls well. He's pushed Highsmith's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Ripper looks to land a left hand but Highsmith moved out of range nicely.
Jab by Ripper.
A head kick misses from Highsmith.

Ripper moves into the clinch.
Highsmith jumps guard but Ripper stands there with Highsmith around his waist. Highsmith gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ripper just leaning against Highsmith, taking a breather.
Ripper is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Highsmith is defending well for now.
Ripper throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Highsmith gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Ripper trying to control the position.
Ripper bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Highsmith's guard.

Highsmith looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Ripper pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Highsmith is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ripper thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ripper accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Ripper avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Highsmith working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ripper.
Ripper throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Highsmith works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ripper working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ripper is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Ripper is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.
Highsmith manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ripper manages to get himself to full guard.
Highsmith's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ripper keeping moving, preventing Highsmith from controlling successfully.
Ripper is trying to keep Highsmith in close.

Ripper is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Highsmith is aware though and is defending well.
Highsmith stopping the sweep attempt from Ripper.
Highsmith wants to stand but Ripper is controlling his posture from full guard.
Ripper looking to hit a scissor sweep but Highsmith is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brad Highsmith dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Highsmith.
Ripper tries to clinch but Highsmith moves out of range.
Highsmith ducks under a wild hook from Ripper.
Highsmith does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Ripper waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Highsmith.
Ripper stuffs the takedown.
Highsmith closes the distance but Ripper moves to the side

and Ripper counters by moving into the clinch.
Highsmith blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Highsmith is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ripper pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brad Highsmith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ripper pushes off an throws an elbow but Highsmith leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Highsmith avoids the elbow strike from Ripper, against the cage.
Ripper comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Ripper pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ripper pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Highsmith is working for takedown but Ripper is calmly controlling the position for now.
Highsmith is working for takedown but Ripper is calmly controlling the position for now.
Ripper looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Highsmith dodges an elbow strike from Ripper.
Highsmith tries for a takedown but Ripper manages to get underhooks.
Highsmith blocks an elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Highsmith is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ripper pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ripper looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Ripper creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Ripper throws an elbow but it misses.
Ripper creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Highsmith's defenses.
Highsmith on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ripper misses with an elbow over the top.

Highsmith wants the takedown. Ripper is fighting it off but Highsmith persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Ripper's guard against the cage.
Ripper wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Ripper 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.
Ripper pulls Highsmith in close to his closed guard and prevents Highsmith from doing any damage or advancing position.
Ripper bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Highsmith's guard.
Ripper scoring with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Highsmith is trying to control the position but Ripper postures up.
Ripper trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ripper throwing strikes from guard but Highsmith blocks nicely.

Ripper is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Highsmith is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Highsmith has escaped and now he's on top!
Ripper looking for a sweep. Not yet Ripper, not yet.
Ripper is trying to keep Highsmith in close.
Ripper wants to sweep here but Highsmith controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Highsmith controls from within his opponent's guard.
Highsmith's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

Brad Highsmith has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Highsmith shoots in for a double leg but Ripper sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Highsmith slips a straight right by Ripper.
Ripper tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Highsmith paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Highsmith pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ripper bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Highsmith's head backwards.

Ripper has Highsmith up against the cage in a clinch.
Ripper lands an elbow inside that Highsmith shrugs off.
Highsmith is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ripper pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ripper misses with an elbow over the top.
Ripper leaning against his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ripper throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Highsmith blocks an elbow strike.
Highsmith managing to block the knees to the body from Ripper.
Ripper creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Ripper lands an elbow that stopped Highsmith in his tracks for a moment.
Ripper gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Highsmith.
Highsmith tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Highsmith blocks the elbow strike.
Ripper missing with knees to the body.
Highsmith avoids the elbow strike from Ripper, against the cage.

Highsmith gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Ripper is looking to improve his position.
Highsmith trying to control from half guard but Ripper is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jack Ripper will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Highsmith tries to clinch but Ripper moves away

and Ripper counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Highsmith's guard now.
Ripper works over Highsmith with some ground and pound from guard.
Ripper trying to control the position from guard on top but Highsmith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Highsmith is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ripper is aware though and is defending well.
Highsmith keeping moving, preventing Ripper from controlling successfully.
Highsmith trying to control the position.
Ripper wants to control from the top but Highsmith keeps moving.

Highsmith is looking for a triangle but Ripper pushes his legs off easily.
Ripper is working Highsmith over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Highsmith is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ripper defends well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ripper loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ripper throwing strikes from guard but Highsmith blocks nicely.
Highsmith is trying to keep Ripper in close.
Ripper is in close to Highsmith's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Ripper won't allow Highsmith to sweep him here.
Ripper trying to control but Highsmith is working from the bottom.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ripper's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Highsmith trying to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ripper drops back looking for a leg! Highsmith is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Highsmith manages to kick Ripper off! Ripper jumps back into Highsmith's guard.
Ripper throwing strikes from guard but Highsmith blocks nicely.

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.
Highsmith not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Brad Highsmith overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Highsmith working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ripper doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ripper manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Ripper trying to control but Highsmith is working from the bottom.
Ripper must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ripper is looking to work some ground and pound but Highsmith has wrist control.
Highsmith controls Ripper momentarily but Ripper frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Brad Highsmith just wasn't active enough.
Highsmith tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ripper sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Highsmith somewhat.
Highsmith tries to clinch but Ripper is having none of it.

Ripper moves into the clinch.
Ripper creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Highsmith tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ripper smiles and moves away.
Highsmith connects with a solid leg kick.

Ripper clinches with his opponent.
Highsmith tries to break the clinch but Ripper is controlling the position.
Ripper lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Brad Highsmith has been cut.
Ripper gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ripper looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Highsmith tries to pull guard but Ripper holds him up against the cage and eventually Highsmith drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brad Highsmith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ripper tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Highsmith avoids it.
Ripper pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Highsmith tries to break free but Ripper pushes him back against the cage.
Ripper content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Ripper gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Highsmith tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ripper just stands there and leans against the cage.
Highsmith misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ripper.
Ripper is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Highsmith is defending well for now.
Ripper displaying some good clinch control by pressing Highsmith up against the cage.
Highsmith goes for a takedown attempt but Ripper pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Ripper is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Ripper drives through and clinches with Highsmith against the cage.
Ripper looking to stall.
Highsmith fails to pull the fight into his guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Ripper comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ripper has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!