PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Chip Ripper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cameron James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James has chosen Rest In Peace as his entrance music. Cameron James has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Chip Ripper's chin.

Ripper
vs
James

170 cm
25
145 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

157 cm
21
143 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chip Ripper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cameron James!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, George Francis and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ripper throws a combination that misses
and James counters with a series of strikes. Ripper will be more careful next time no doubt.
James lands a head kick. Ripper smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Ripper is rocked!
Ripper fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
James keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
James pulls out of a head kick attempt.
James displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ripper.
James lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

James moves into the clinch.

Ripper works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ripper wanted to stand there but James had control of the position.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as James holds on and takes a little breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
James pulls Ripper in to control the position.

James is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Ripper presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Ripper is trying to drag James to the mat but James just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chip Ripper. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ripper has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics James uses from the top position.
Ripper is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James trying to stand up but can't free himself from Ripper's guard.
James engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
James wants to control from the top but Ripper keeps moving.
James has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Ripper is proving hard to escape from.
James is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
James trying to stand up but can't free himself from Ripper's guard.
James is stalling in the full guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ripper throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ripper moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
A head kick misses from James.

Ripper fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with James, pushing him back against the cage.

Ripper pulls guard successfully.
Ripper will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
James seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
James is continuing to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ripper swivels though and keeps the full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as James accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
James showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
James wants to get up but he can't break Ripper's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
We've been hearing good reports from Ripper'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.
James seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Cameron James will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ripper avoids the head kick by James.
Ripper rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but James moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
James is looking to clinch but Ripper is avoiding it.
Ripper looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
James throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Ripper's head.

It looks like Chip Ripper has been cut.
Ripper misses with a few strikes there.

Ripper clinches.

James pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ripper throws a combination that misses
and James counters with a left and a right that stings Ripper.
Cameron James seems to be getting the better of the standup.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
James has had enough of the clinch but Ripper keeps him there for the moment.
James should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Ripper is trying to drag James to the mat but James just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ripper misses with the head strike.
James is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Ripper is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but James is defending well.
James is trying to push Ripper away but Ripper has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Ripper tries to pull guard but James won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chip Ripper. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ripper pulls guard.
James throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
James trying to control but Ripper is working from the bottom.
James is stalling in the full guard.

James gets to his feet. Ripper looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Ripper blocks a head kick by James.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
James tries to clinch there but Ripper circles away.

James fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ripper, pushing him back against the cage.

Ripper breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Chip Ripper is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ripper keeps the fight on the outside.
Ripper seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
James throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
James throws a head kick that misses.

Ripper clinches with his opponent.
James working hard to break the clinch.
Ripper lands a left hand.
Ripper gets underhooks to prevent James's takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James wants to break free but Ripper has control.

Ripper turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Ripper happy to just control the position for now.
James 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.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
James is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Ripper decides to stand up, so the ref orders James to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chip Ripper dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Chip Ripper's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Ripper shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has James pinned against the cage. James gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A head kick misses from James.
Ripper lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
James tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ripper manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ripper seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
A head kick misses from James.
Ripper was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Ripper throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
James throws a head kick but Ripper moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ripper goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
James misses with a head kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
James throws a sloppy head kick and Ripper moves out of range easily.
A head kick misses from James.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ripper swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and James counters with a one-two to the body.
James pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Ripper closes the distance and pushes James back into the cage.
Ripper lands an elbow inside.
Ripper tries to pull guard but James won't allow it.
James jumps guard but Ripper turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Ripper looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chip Ripper. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ripper jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as James walks away with a smile on his face. Ripper gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
No joy there for Ripper, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
James throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James scores with a head kick. Ripper tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Cameron James is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ripper takes a kick to the side of the head.

Ripper takes the fight into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

James pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
James misses with a head kick.
Ripper tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. James manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Despite the aggression on James's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
A slapping leg kick lands for Ripper.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ripper prevents James from breaking the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
James working hard to break the clinch.

Ripper has hold of one of James's legs. James is fighting the takedown attempt but Ripper gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
James is trying to keep Ripper in close.
Ripper wants to control from the top but James keeps moving.
James trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ripper slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
James has a closed guard, preventing Ripper from standing up.
James looking to control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Ripper is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Chip Ripper.
I think Ripper has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Twigg scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chip Ripper!
The defeated Cameron James had this to say: 'Ummm, there's no excuse for me. I just lost and will need to crank up the effort in the gym and in the ring if I want my to start winning. Thanks to everyone who has supported me so far and continues to do so. Your the reason I get up in the morning and head to the gym.'.