PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Courtney Upshaw (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mr Ripley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Upshaw comes to the cage accompanied by Retaliation. Ripley has chosen The Talented Mr. Ripley - Tu Vuo' Fa l'Americano as his entrance music. Mr Ripley told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Upshaw
vs
Ripley

194 cm
23
261 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
33
263 lbs
14 - 17 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Performance Enhancing Drugs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Courtney Upshaw!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mr Ripley!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Upshaw. Ripley does a little dance to reset his feet.
Upshaw tries a head kick but it misses.
Mr Ripley seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ripley scores with a body shot.
Upshaw slips a jab and a cross from Ripley.
A big left from Ripley misses.
Ripley shoots in looking for a takedown but Upshaw manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ripley's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Upshaw thows a body shot but no joy.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ripley looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ripley throws a series of punches but Upshaw avoids them all with ease.
Nice sprawl there from Upshaw as Ripley shoots in.
Upshaw misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ripley.
Upshaw scores with a nice right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ripley looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Upshaw defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ripley.
Courtney Upshaw has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mr Ripley.
Ripley closes the distance but Upshaw moves to the side
and Upshaw counters with a nice uppercut.
Upshaw dips to his left and cracks Ripley with an uppercut!
Upshaw connects with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ripley closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Ripley lands in his opponent's guard.
Upshaw avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Ripley thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Ripley missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ripley throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ripley wants to pass the guard but Upshaw is keeping the position.
Ripley wanted to stand there but Upshaw had control of the position.
Ripley wants to control from the top but Upshaw keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ripley passes Upshaw's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Ripley is trying to work for a kimura but Upshaw is defending well.
Upshaw slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Ripley wants to stand and escape but instead Upshaw has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Upshaw stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ripley avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A combination from Upshaw does no damage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ripley throws a hook but Upshaw blocks it.
Upshaw swings for the body but Ripley moves out of range.
Ripley takes one to the chin there.
Ripley shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Upshaw defends it nicely.
Upshaw throws a jab when Ripley was well out of range.
Ripley fails to land with a series of punches.
Upshaw has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Courtney Upshaw is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Upshaw lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

It looks like Mr Ripley has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Upshaw misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ripley.
Upshaw moves out of range of the strikes.
Upshaw misses with a hook to the body
and Ripley counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Upshaw misses with a hook. Ripley ducked under it nicely.
Upshaw throws a series of punches but Ripley avoids them all with ease.
Ripley ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ripley thuds his right hand into Upshaw's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Ripley cracks Upshaw with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Ripley tries to clinch up but Upshaw circles away and keeps his distance.

Ripley closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Upshaw's guard.
Ripley stopping the sweep attempt from Upshaw.
Ripley throws an elbow that misses. Upshaw uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ripley's guard. Nice move by Upshaw!

Ripley is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Upshaw defends well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ripley has a closed guard, preventing Upshaw from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Courtney Upshaw will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mr Ripley's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ripley shoots in and drives through. Upshaw sprawls well.
Upshaw throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Upshaw avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ripley looks for the body kick but Upshaw saw that one coming.
Upshaw misses with a low kick.
Ripley throws a push kick but Upshaw slaps the foot to one side.
Ripley ducks under a wild hook from Upshaw.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ripley.
Upshaw misses with a body shot.

Ripley drives through with a takedown into Upshaw's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Ripley trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ripley trying to control but Upshaw is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ripley throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ripley trying to control but Upshaw is working from the bottom.
Ripley won't allow Upshaw to sweep him here.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Mr Ripley wasn't active enough on the ground.
Upshaw tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ripley avoids the body shot from Upshaw.
Ripley moves away from the strike by Upshaw.
Ripley fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Upshaw avoids it really well and circles away.
Courtney Upshaw has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mr Ripley.
Upshaw misses with a body shot.
Ripley pivots, looking for a leg kick but Upshaw is out of range and Ripley settles back down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ripley tries to bum rush Upshaw with a series of wild strikes but Upshaw uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Upshaw scores with a shot to the body.
Upshaw has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Ripley tries to bum rush Upshaw with a series of wild strikes but Upshaw uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Ripley throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Upshaw tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Ripley is in Upshaw's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Upshaw preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Upshaw tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ripley trying to control but Upshaw is working from the bottom.
Upshaw avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Upshaw is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ripley looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ripley stands and steps away. Upshaw gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Upshaw throws a right and a left that Ripley avoids nicely.
Ripley will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Upshaw misses with an uppercut. Ripley saw that one coming.
Sloppy strikes from Upshaw. Those never looked like landing.
Courtney Upshaw is winning the standup battle so far.
Upshaw throws the left hand but Ripley avoids the punch easily.
Ripley shoots in looking for a takedown. Upshaw tries to sprawl out of it but Ripley keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Upshaw manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ripley takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Upshaw throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Ripley on the side of the head.
Upshaw misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ripley.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Upshaw will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ripley looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ripley throws a right and a left that both miss.
Upshaw misses with a body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Upshaw throws a head kick that half lands.
Upshaw blocks the body kick.
Upshaw ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A nice combination there by Upshaw.
Upshaw keeps the fight on the outside.
Ripley wants to clinch up but Upshaw keeps it at a distance.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Upshaw bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ripley's head.
Upshaw throws a head kick that misses.
Upshaw cracks Ripley with a good jab.
Upshaw connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Courtney Upshaw dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mr Ripley's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ripley shoots in and drives through. Upshaw sprawls well.
Ripley fails in his attempt to clinch.
Upshaw avoids a punch combination nicely.
Upshaw scores with a three punch combo!
Courtney Upshaw is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ripley feints and then cracks Upshaw's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Upshaw down.
Upshaw digs a good hook to Ripley's body.
Upshaw connects with a leg kick. Ripley looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
A decent looking cross lands there for Upshaw.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ripley looks to land a right hand but Upshaw moved out of range.
Upshaw swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ripley moves out of range of the strikes.
Upshaw looks to land a right hand but Ripley moved out of range.
Upshaw pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ripley takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Ripley misses with a series of wild punches.
Upshaw misses with a double jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Upshaw dodges the punch combination from Ripley.
Upshaw looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ripley takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Upshaw lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Upshaw displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ripley.
Upshaw throws a series of punches but Ripley avoids them all with ease.
Upshaw misses the shot to the body.
Upshaw slips a jab and a cross from Ripley.
Upshaw jabs Ripley to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Ripley tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Upshaw paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ripley throws a push kick but Upshaw slaps the foot to one side.
Upshaw misses with a straight right.
Upshaw dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ripley. That did some damage!
Ripley fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Upshaw avoids it really well and circles away.
Courtney Upshaw has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mr Ripley.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ripley closes the distance and clinches up with Upshaw, looking for a takedown. Ripley pushes Upshaw against the cage but Upshaw circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ripley avoids the body shot from Upshaw.
Upshaw pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Ripley is looking to clinch but Upshaw is avoiding it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ripley misses with a series of wild punches.
Upshaw fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ripley manages to avoid it.
Ripley throws a sloppy head kick and Upshaw moves out of range easily.
Upshaw thuds his shin into the meat of Ripley's side.
A jab from Upshaw finds it's way through Ripley's defenses.
Upshaw uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ripley has time to react.
Upshaw throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nice uppercut lands for Upshaw. That snapped Ripley's head back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ripley tries to work over Upshaw's front leg with a kick but Upshaw checks it.
Upshaw throws the left hand but Ripley avoids the punch easily.
Upshaw just misses with a punch to the body.
A solid leg kick lands there for Upshaw.
Upshaw misses with a double jab.
Upshaw throws a solid leg kick but Ripley takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Upshaw.
Ripley shoots for a double leg takedown but Upshaw sprawls well. He's pushed Ripley's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Ripley throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Upshaw.
Ripley throws a right and a left that both miss.
Upshaw swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Upshaw throws a head kick but Ripley moves out of range.
Ripley displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Upshaw throws out the jab.
Ripley throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Upshaw slips a jab and a cross from Ripley.
A combination from Upshaw does no damage.
Upshaw dodges the punch combination from Ripley.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ripley is looking to clinch but Upshaw is avoiding it.

Ripley bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Ripley goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Upshaw has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Ripley but great work by Upshaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Upshaw throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Ripley is trying to get back to half guard.
Courtney Upshaw is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Upshaw goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Ripley has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Upshaw but great work by Ripley.
Mr Ripley has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Ripley tries for a kimura but Upshaw is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Courtney Upshaw showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Upshaw, 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Courtney Upshaw!
Our winner, Courtney Upshaw, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.