PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ben Richards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Diego Minotauro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Richards
vs
Minotauro

180 cm
27
214 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

197 cm
26
214 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Big right hand

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Heavy handed

HGH Nutrients Q160-Q158

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ben Richards!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Diego Minotauro!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Edson Gomes and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Minotauro fails with an attempt to clinch.
Minotauro fails to land the takedown.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Minotauro enables Richards to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Minotauro manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Minotauro is trying to keep Richards in close.
Minotauro wants to sweep here but Richards controlling him for the moment.
Richards has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Minotauro is on top in guard.
Richards keeping moving, preventing Minotauro from controlling successfully.
Minotauro might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Richards kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Richards might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Minotauro won't allow Richards to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minotauro is looking to work some ground and pound but Richards has wrist control.
Minotauro prevents Richards from getting back to his feet.
Richards working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Minotauro.
Richards is looking to stand up but Minotauro isn't so interested in that idea.
Minotauro stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Richards swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Richards being controlled here, momentarily.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Minotauro throws a hook but Richards avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Minotauro moves into the clinch.
Minotauro trying to control the position but instead, Richards has worked for underhooks and has pushed Minotauro into the cage.

Minotauro breaks the clinch.
Minotauro shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Richards moves into the clinch.
Richards prevents the takedown attempt.
Ben Richards has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Diego Minotauro.
Richards has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Minotauro avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Richards wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Minotauro's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Minotauro enables Richards to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Minotauro manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Richards looking to sit in guard and control but Minotauro gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minotauro looking to pass the guard.
Richards trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Minotauro has gone for a leg lock! Richards slips out almost immediately though and dives into Minotauro's guard.
Minotauro avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richards is looking to stand up but Minotauro won't let him.
Minotauro manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Minotauro trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Richards wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Minotauro.

Minotauro goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Richards turns into him and now he's in Minotauro's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Richards got a little sloppy there for a moment and Minotauro has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Richards has managed to get both his arms back between Minotauro's legs - danger averted.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Diego Minotauro will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Richards avoids a punch combination nicely.
Minotauro tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Richards manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Richards looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Minotauro is fending him off so far but Richards persists. Nope, Minotauro circles away and we're back to standing.
Minotauro stuffs the takedown.
Ben Richards is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Richards rushes Minotauro and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Minotauro jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Richards walks away with a smile on his face. Minotauro gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Minotauro fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Richards, pushing him back against the cage.
Minotauro gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Richards.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Richards. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Richards wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Richards jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Minotauro walks away with a smile on his face. Richards gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Minotauro throws a series of punches but Richards avoids them all with ease.
Minotauro fails with the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Richards throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Minotauro tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Richards is in Minotauro's guard.

Minotauro working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Richards doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Richards manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Minotauro 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.
Minotauro controls Richards momentarily but Richards frees himself.
Richards working some strikes from top position.
Richards loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Richards wants to control from the top but Minotauro keeps moving.
Minotauro trying to keep a closed guard but Richards is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Minotauro looking for a sweep. Not yet Minotauro, not yet.
Minotauro is striking from the bottom but Richards uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
Richards is taking a breather. Minotauro says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Minotauro gets full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Richards looking to pass the guard.
Minotauro lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Richards!
Minotauro throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minotauro throwing strikes here but Richards is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Minotauro tries to control but Richards wriggling away.
Richards wants to hold on but Minotauro pushes him away.
Minotauro throwing strikes here but Richards is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Richards just holding on.
Minotauro prevents Richards from getting the reversal.
Richards sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Minotauro throws a strike but Richards avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richards looking to control.
Minotauro throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Richards wants to control but Minotauro passes easily into half guard.
Richards wants to stand back up but Minotauro manages to pass into side control.
Diego Minotauro has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Minotauro throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Richards is being controlled here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Minotauro looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Richards is avoiding damage well.
Minotauro in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

Minotauro is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Richards has escaped the position, nice work there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Diego Minotauro will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Minotauro wants to clinch.
Richards looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Richards gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Minotauro prevents Richards from breaking the clinch.
Richards is trying to drag Minotauro to the mat but Minotauro just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Minotauro stops a takedown attempt from Richards.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Richards. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Minotauro breaks from the clinch.
Minotauro swats away the attempt to clinch by Richards.
Richards throws a nice looking combination but Minotauro bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richards is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Minotauro decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Minotauro missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Minotauro is looking for a kimura but Richards is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Minotauro to get the leverage.
Richards avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Minotauro.
Minotauro passes to full mount!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Minotauro looking to control but Richards is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Minotauro looking for a guillotine from mount but Richards is having none of it.
Minotauro looking to control but Richards is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Minotauro content just to control the position here.
Minotauro trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minotauro thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Richards on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Richards tries to get out of the position.
Richards holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Minotauro tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Minotauro misses with a head shot.
Minotauro unloads with some shots from mount but Richards bucks and avoids them well.

Richards defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Minotauro.

Minotauro jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Richards is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Richards and Minotauro has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes there by Minotauro.
Minotauro working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Minotauro tries to move into full mount but can't pass Richards's legs.
Ben Richards has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Minotauro working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Minotauro wants to lay and pray for a moment but Richards keeps working.

And that's the end of the fight!
Diego Minotauro comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Minotauro winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 27:30
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:30
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Diego Minotauro!