PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Pointek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Richards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pointek's entrance music is Sevendust - Enemy. A fine choice. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Pointek
vs
Richards

186 cm
21
199 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

190 cm
22
210 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Bushido Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mike Pointek!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Steve Richards!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Frank Dennis and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pointek missing with a left hand there. Richards was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Richards dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Pointek tries to clinch but Richards moves out of range.
Pointek takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Richards moves in looking to clinch but Pointek pushes him off.

Richards decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Richards working over Pointek with some ground and pound. Pointek looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Pointek is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Richards sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Pointek is refusing to be controlled, as Richards sits in half guard.
Richards winds up and cracks Pointek with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Richards wants to control but Pointek is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Richards looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Pointek with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Richards trying to mount his opponent but Pointek defends it.
Ground and pound from Richards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pointek slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Pointek throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Pointek wants to hit a switch here but Richards passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Pointek there!
Richards lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Pointek hang on?
The referee warns Pointek that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Pointek is working to get back to half guard.
Pointek is in a horrible position here. Richards smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Pointek is working to get back to half guard.
Richards in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Richards looking to control but Pointek is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pointek is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Pointek takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Pointek is looking to improve his position but Richards isn't that keen on the idea.
Richards wants to control the pace but Pointek is squirming around nicely.
Pointek is trying to escape the mount.
Richards lands a heavy elbow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pointek can't escape the position.
Richards unloading with bombs!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Pointek manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Pointek looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Richards wants to stand up but Pointek is controlling the position.
Richards seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Richards not doing much here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pointek is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Richards has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Richards passes into side control, despite Pointek's attempt to control the position.
Pointek tries to bench press Richards off him but Richards keeps the position.
Pointek is not content to let Richards control the position.
Richards scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Pointek to see if he's OK.
Richards looks gassed!
Richards scores with punches from side control.
Pointek struggling a bit here.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Richards is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Pointek tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Richards counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Nice sprawl there from Pointek as Richards shoots in.
Pointek throws a left and a right that both miss
and Richards counters with a series of strikes. Pointek will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richards moves out of range as Pointek throws a body kick.
Pointek throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Richards throws a right and a left that Pointek avoids nicely.
Pointek fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Richards blocks a head kick by Pointek.
Pointek pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Pointek swings widly with a right hand
and Richards counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Pointek misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Richards shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Pointek but Pointek pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Pointek scores with a takedown into Richards's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Richards looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Pointek accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Richards dominated that round.
That's time! Pointek's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Richards keeps the fight on the outside.
Pointek shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Richards as he jumps to the side.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Pointek.
Pointek misses with a combination
and Richards cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Richards misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Pointek fails with the takedown
and Richards counters with a stiff right hand.
Pointek rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Richards counters with a takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Richards lands a few punches from side control.
Steve Richards has got the better of the ground game so far.
Pointek gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Richards wants to stand but Pointek has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Richards is breathing heavily.
Pointek is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pointek gets back to full guard.
Pointek keeping busy, throwing shots from the bottom.

Pointek working for a triangle but Richards defends it easily.
Pointek looking to hit a scissor sweep but Richards is one step ahead there.

Pointek working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Richards has passed into half guard!
Pointek wants to control but Richards is keeping busy.
Pointek is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Pointek is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Pointek on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Richards decides to return to a standing position.
Pointek throws a head kick but Richards moves out of range.
Richards changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Pointek tries to avoid it but Richards manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Pointek to the ground. Pointek escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Pointek misses with an uppercut
and Richards counters with a two punch combo.
Pointek misses with a hook to the body
and Richards counters with a three punch combo that has Pointek backing up. Pointek nods at Richards to acknowledge the strikes.
Pointek misses with a double jab

and Richards moves into the clinch.
Pointek comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Richards blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Pointek misses with an elbow strike.
Pointek tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Richards's elbow.
Pointek has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Richards is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Pointek. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Richards is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Pointek gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Richards tries to pull guard but Pointek won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Pointek is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Pointek tries to score a body lock takedown but Richards shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Richards is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Pointek gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Richards fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Richards tries to score a body lock takedown but Pointek shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Richards wants to break free but Pointek has control.
Richards wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Richards wants a takedown but no success here.

Richards breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pointek walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Pointek shoots in looking for a takedown. Richards tries to sprawl out of it but Pointek keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Richards manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice body punch from Richards.
Mike Pointek is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Richards looks for a takedown but Pointek sprawls well.
Pointek throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Pointek.
Pointek connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Richards some visible discomfort.
Richards tries to improve position but can't.
Pointek working the head and body with strikes.
Pointek lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Richards down.
Richards is trying to get back to half guard.
Pointek landing strikes.
Richards tries to escape but Pointek is in control.
Pointek working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Pointek is looking to take a break and control but Richards is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Richards is looking to reverse the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Richards is trying to control Pointek's posture but Pointek avoids it.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Pointek misses the body punch
and Richards counters with a lovely straight right hand!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Steve Richards will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Pointek slips a jab and a cross from Richards.
Richards has his takedown stuffed

and Pointek counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Pointek lands strikes from half guard.
Richards is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Richards manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Pointek throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Pointek throws and elbow that misses. Richards uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Pointek's guard. Nice move by Richards!

Pointek is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Richards won't allow Pointek to sweep him here.
Pointek keeping moving, preventing Richards from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Richards is looking to work some ground and pound but Pointek has wrist control.
Richards is looking to stand up but Pointek won't let him.
Richards postures up in Pointek's guard and throws a big left but Pointek blocks it.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richards stands and throws Pointek's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Richards decides to stand back up.
Mike Pointek seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Richards swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Richards fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Steve Richards seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Richards lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Richards misses with a jab, cross combination.
Horrible takedown by Pointek or perhaps it was just good defense by Richards which made him look bad.
Richards moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Richards misses with a double jab

and Pointek counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Pointek trying to control the action but Richards is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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. Pointek connects with a nice short shot to Richards's temple.
Pointek moves nicely into side control.
Pointek lands a nice forearm strike.
Richards gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Pointek with good strikes from the mount here!
Richards throwing hammer fists to the chest of Pointek. What's that going to do exactly?
Pointek scoring with strikes but Richards is staying in there.
Pointek lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Richards is desperately trying to improve his position but Pointek has a good base and remains in mount.
Richards swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Richards tries to hold on but Pointek pushes him away.
Richards is looking to get to half guard.
Pointek scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Richards?
The referee warns Richards that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Pointek avoids the attempt from Richards to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pointek lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Richards is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Pointek putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Pointek cracks Richards with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Richards is desperately trying to improve his position but Pointek has a good base and remains in mount.
Pointek is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Richards wants to get back to his feet.
Pointek lands a nice shot to the head.
Richards tries to lock up and control but Pointek gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Richards trying desperately to get to his feet.
Richards bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Pointek looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Richards makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Richards landing some decent shots from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pointek is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Richards looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Richards with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Pointek has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Richards can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Richards tries to free his leg and advance position but Pointek is retaining full guard.
Richards landing some decent shots from guard.
Richards stopping the sweep attempt from Pointek.
Richards passes easily into side control. Nice work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Richards in side control lands a decent elbow.
Pointek tries to get back to half guard but can't.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Pointek showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Richards 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight for Steve Richards!
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight for Steve Richards!
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight for Steve Richards!

Steve Richards wins by unanimous decision!