PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Casey Ryback (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Gardner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Casey Ryback could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Josh Gardner's chin.

Ryback
vs
Gardner

195 cm
29
280 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

188 cm
29
230 lbs
23 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Zombie Nutrition - LOD
Meet the Future

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 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Casey Ryback!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Josh Gardner!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Ackerman and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ryback waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gardner.
Gardner throws the left hand but Ryback avoids the punch easily.
Ryback throws a hook to the side of Gardner's head but Gardner sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ryback waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gardner.

Ryback shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Ryback distracts Gardner with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Gardner wants to stand and escape but Ryback is having none of it.
Ryback working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gardner pulls Ryback in close to his closed guard and prevents Ryback from doing any damage or advancing position.
Ryback trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ryback sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ryback missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ryback trying to control the position from guard on top but Gardner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've been hearing good reports from Ryback's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Gardner scores with a hook to the body. Ryback takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A cross from Gardner lands.
Gardner moves out of range of the strikes.
Ryback takes a jab right on the kisser.
Gardner cracks the inside of Ryback's front leg.
Gardner takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Crunch! Gardner slams his shin into Ryback's torso.
Ryback moves away from the strike by Gardner.
Josh Gardner is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gardner lands a right hook to the body.
Ryback throws a leg kick but Gardner checks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gardner looks for the body kick but Ryback saw that one coming.
Ryback misses with a hook.
Gardner throws an overhand right that lands on Ryback's shoulder, as Ryback tries to avoid the shot.
Josh Gardner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ryback keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gardner.
Gardner wants to slow Ryback down by chopping away at his legs.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gardner looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ryback lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Gardner.
Gardner tests Ryback's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Gardner looks to score with a jab to the body but Ryback is just out of range.
Ryback steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gardner.
Ryback pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Gardner keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ryback.
Ryback misses the jab.
Gardner misses with a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ryback moves out of range of the leg kick from Gardner.
Ryback throws a leg kick that is checked
and Gardner cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ryback fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Gardner checks it well.
A telegraphed right hand from Gardner misses the target.
Gardner scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Ryback shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Ryback throws a body kick that misses.
Ryback takes one to the side of the head.
Nice cross by Ryback.
An inside leg kick lands from Gardner.
Gardner pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ryback throws a predictable looking body shot
and Gardner counters with a solid body kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ryback keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Ryback buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Gardner, right into the meat.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Gardner. Ryback shrugs it off though.
Ryback avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ryback wants to land a leg kick but Gardner is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Ryback misses.
Gardner misses with a looping left.
Ryback keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gardner.
Gardner scores with a body shot.
Ryback throws a sloppy head kick
and Ryback takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Gardner lands with a straight right. Ryback didn't see that one coming.
Gardner misses with a looping right.
Gardner misses with a body kick.
A lazy left from Gardner finds it's target.
Ryback thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gardner works Ryback's body with a nice hook.
Gardner lands a jab.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gardner scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ryback doesn't seem bothered though.
Gardner is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Ryback had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Gardner, as that shot connected.

Ryback drives through with a takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Gardner dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gardner throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Ryback scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Ryback thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Ryback is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Gardner is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Ryback controls the position from side control.
Gardner felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Gardner is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ryback throws a strike aimed at the side of Gardner's head but Gardner avoids it well.
Gardner can't do much from the bottom here.
Ryback has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Ryback with the ground and pound but Gardner regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Ryback trying to control from half guard but Gardner is working away.
Gardner is looking for a sweep. Ryback is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ryback content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Gardner regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Ryback.
Ryback trying to control but Gardner is working from the bottom.
Ryback throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ryback in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ryback throws a strike but Gardner rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Ryback trying to control the position.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Gardner. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ryback has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gardner can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Ryback looking for a guillotine here but Gardner defends easily.
Ryback bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gardner's guard.
Ryback stands and throws Gardner's legs to the side, diving into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Casey Ryback dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ryback catches Gardner with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Gardner lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ryback's sensitive parts.
Some bone on bone action there as Ryback checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Gardner misses with an attempted mid kick.
Ryback misses with a wild body shot.
Gardner feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ryback's calf.
Gardner throws a leg kick which misses Ryback's front leg but catches the back leg as Ryback tries to avoid it.
Gardner misses with a hook. Ryback ducked under it nicely.
Ryback throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A big right from Ryback misses.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Gardner.
Gardner smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Ryback uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gardner.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ryback throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ryback scores with a kick to the midsection.
Ryback throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ryback looks for the body kick but Gardner saw that one coming.
Josh Gardner seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ryback throws a leg kick but Gardner sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Gardner throws a quick inside leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Gardner.
A lazy left from Gardner finds it's target.
Gardner feints and then cracks Ryback's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ryback down.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gardner scores with a crisp jab that stopped Ryback in his tracks.
Ryback fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Gardner lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gardner looks to land a left hand but Ryback moved out of range nicely.
Nice body kick there by Gardner.
Gardner chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Ryback dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Gardner. That did some damage!
Gardner lands a body shot.
Gardner lands a really nice looking cross but Ryback seems unphased.
Gardner buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Gardner throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Gardner, right into the meat.
Both fighters circling a little - Gardner finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Gardner lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Ryback's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Gardner connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Ryback scrambles back to his feet.
Ryback takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Ryback walks into a stiff left hand from Gardner.
Ryback tries to move into range but Gardner moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A good leg kick by Gardner.
Gardner looks to land a body kick but Ryback moved away.
Gardner is looking to slow Ryback down with leg kicks.
Gardner delivers a nice body kick.
Gardner tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ryback manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ryback throws a leg kick but Gardner sees it coming and moves out of range.
Gardner lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Gardner scores with a jab to the body.
Gardner fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ryback avoids the body shot from Gardner.
Ryback misses with a low kick.
Ryback will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Good exchange - Gardner coming out on top.
Ryback moves forwards but Gardner connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Ryback swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ryback moves out of range of the body kick.
Gardner scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Gardner defending well as Ryback loads up on a big left hand.
Ryback takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Ryback looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Gardner lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Gardner lands the left hand.
Ryback waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gardner.
Gardner connects with a solid leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gardner throws a nice outside leg kick.
Gardner throws a hook to the side of Ryback's head but Ryback sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gardner with a nice cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gardner throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ryback takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Gardner checks a leg kick.
Ryback is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Gardner lands a nice shot to the body.
Ryback's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Gardner connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Ryback scrambles back to his feet.
Gardner throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gardner lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Ryback needs to keep his hands up - Gardner had a free shot at his head there.
Gardner lands a nice shot to the body.
Ryback keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Gardner looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Gardner scores with a leg kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ryback avoids a kick to the body.
Ryback moves out of range of the body kick.
Ryback is looking to score with low kicks.
Ryback gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Gardner.

And that's the end of the fight!
Josh Gardner comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gardner 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josh Gardner!