PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Vinnie Longworth (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Richer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vinnie Longworth has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Longworth
vs
Richer

168 cm
26
145 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

168 cm
25
145 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Four Aces Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Vinnie Longworth!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Michael Richer!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Alec Ball and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Longworth shoots in and drives through. Richer sprawls well.
Richer shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Longworth defends it nicely.
Longworth seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Longworth shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Longworth shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Richer manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Richer working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Longworth doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Longworth manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Longworth thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Longworth missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Richer is on top in guard.

Richer working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Longworth pulls Richer in close to prevent any damage.

Longworth looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Longworth looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Longworth on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Longworth tries to get out of the position.
Richer looking to pass the guard.
Longworth has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Longworth keeping moving, preventing Richer from controlling successfully.

Richer postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Longworth is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Richer, into his guard.

Longworth working some strikes from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Richer looking for a guillotine here but Longworth defends easily.
Longworth content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Longworth stopping the sweep attempt from Richer.

Richer had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Longworth defends it easily.
Longworth stands and throws Richer's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Longworth trying to control the action but Richer is working from the bottom.

Longworth thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Longworth lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Longworth creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Longworth scoring with punches and elbows.

Longworth is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Richer has escaped the position, nice work there.
Longworth has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Richer!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richer taking shots to the head.
Longworth is landing with some decent strikes but Richer is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Richer 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.
Longworth is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Longworth in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Longworth raining down shots from the mount!
Richer is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Longworth lands a couple of good shots and Richer has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Richer can't escape the position.
Longworth throwing damaging strikes from the back! Richer could be in trouble here!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vinnie Longworth dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Richer pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Longworth shoots in looking for a takedown. Richer tries to sprawl out of it but Longworth keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Richer manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice sprawl there from Richer as Longworth shoots in.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Longworth.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vinnie Longworth. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Longworth fails with a takedown attempt.
Richer lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Richer tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Longworth defends well and Richer ends up having to push Longworth into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Richer tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Longworth paws at him with a jab and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Richer misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Richer stuffs the takedown attempt from Longworth. Longworth gets slowly back to his feet.
Michael Richer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Richer slaps away a takedown attempt from Longworth, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Longworth darts in and clinches Richer up against the cage.

Longworth is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Richer can't fight it off and eventually Longworth manages to take the fight to the floor. Richer looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Richer tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Longworth throws a big elbow that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Longworth passes Richer's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Longworth not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Longworth sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Richer trying to hold on to Longworth's head to control him but Longworth postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Richer actively working from the bottom here.
Longworth is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Richer can do to turn this around?

Longworth wants to work for an arm triangle but Richer is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Longworth winds up and cracks Richer with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Longworth working Richer over with strikes.
Longworth working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Vinnie Longworth overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Richer is staying active underneath Longworth, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Longworth is thwarting Richer's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richer throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Longworth working over Richer with some ground and pound. Richer looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Longworth is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Longworth throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Longworth is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Richer sees it coming and defends easily.

Richer looking for submissions off his back.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Longworth seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Longworth stalling.
Richer is trying to control but can't.
Longworth controlling the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Richer shoots in for a takedown but Longworth shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Richer stuffs the takedown.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Donk. Longworth catches Richer right on the button with a cross.
Richer changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Longworth shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

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

Vinnie Longworth dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Richer throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Longworth looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Ground and pound from Longworth.
Longworth is looking to advance position but Richer won't allow it.
Richer is trying to stand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Longworth tries to pass the half guard into mount. Richer knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Longworth seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Longworth works his way into side control.
Longworth in side control lands a decent elbow.
Longworth lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Richer down.
Longworth is staying tight to Richer's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Longworth landing strikes.
You can see the frustration on Richer's face as Longworth controls the position.

Longworth is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Richer has escaped the position, nice work there.
Richer sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Longworth tries to pass to full mount but Richer defends it.
Richer trying to control but Longworth postures up.
Longworth is trying to control the action in half guard but Richer is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Richer looks like he's trying to stand up.
Longworth lands with a punch from half guard.
Well, if Longworth is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richer blocking the ground and pound attempt from Longworth.
Longworth seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Longworth scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Longworth working the head and body with strikes.
Longworth seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Richer does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Richer has hold of Longworth's hands but Longworth slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Richer actively working from the bottom here.
Richer takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Longworth seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Longworth tries to pass the half guard into mount. Richer knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Longworth lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Longworth lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Longworth controlling the pace.
Longworth works his way into full mount!
Michael Richer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Longworth unloading with bombs!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Longworth in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Vinnie Longworth is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Longworth sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vinnie Longworth showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Longworth, 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:26
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 30:26
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vinnie Longworth!
A relieved looking Vinnie Longworth thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.