PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Hannibal Barca (ranked 910 p4p, 105 weight class) and Mathew Ridgeway (ranked 261 p4p, 34 weight class). Barca's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Carthage. Ridgeway has chosen The Forgotten War as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Mathew Ridgeway is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Barca
vs
Ridgeway

175 cm
36
165 lbs
28 - 12 - 0

174 cm
36
159 lbs
34 - 16 - 1

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Riner Clothing and Laundry (85%)

Sin City Allstars

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hannibal Barca!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Mathew Ridgeway!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Columbo Gatti and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Barca misses.
Nice defenses there by Barca.
An attempted straight right counter from Barca misses the target.
Ridgeway connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Ridgeway moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Ridgeway tries to work over Barca's front leg with a kick but Barca checks it.
Barca has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Abraham's Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Ridgeway slips under a jab from Barca.
Ridgeway misses with a kick to the body.
Ridgeway misses the shot to the body.
An attempted straight right counter from Barca misses the target.
Ridgeway throws a big shot that misses.
An inside leg kick from Ridgeway misses.
Ridgeway thumps Barca with a low kick.
Barca takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Barca just misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barca swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Barca throws a body shot but no joy.
Ridgeway slips under a jab.
Ridgeway has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Barca is landing a low percentage of strikes.
A slow jab from Ridgeway misses its intended target.
Ridgeway connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ridgeway throws the left hand but Barca avoids the punch easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barca thuds his right hand into Ridgeway's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Mathew Ridgeway seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
That kick from Ridgeway tenderised Barca's leg. Barca is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ridgeway misses with a body shot.
Barca takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Barca moves away from the strike by Ridgeway.
Mathew Ridgeway is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Barca avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Barca swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Ridgeway misses with a low kick.
Barca throws a series of punches but Ridgeway moves out of range.
Ridgeway lands a nice shot that snaps Barca's head back.
Ridgeway swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Barca counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Ridgeway!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ridgeway is working to avoid the ground and pound but Barca connects with a decent elbow.

Barca working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Barca is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ridgeway is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barca wants to control but Ridgeway is keeping him busy.
Ridgeway regains half guard.
Ridgeway is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Barca passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Ridgeway!
Barca content just to control the position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ridgeway really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Barca fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

Barca looking to secure an arm triangle but Ridgeway defends it well.
Barca can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Ridgeway is looking to escape.
Barca unloading with bombs!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ridgeway can't escape the position.
Barca working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Barca in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Barca working Ridgeway over with strikes here.
Ridgeway manages to regain half guard. Good work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barca scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Barca seems to be looking for submissions.
Barca moves nicely into side control.
Ridgeway can't do much from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hannibal Barca dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Barca blocks a leg kick.
Barca walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Barca bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ridgeway thuds a left hand into Barca's body.
Barca throws a shot from downtown. Ridgeway moves away and avoids it.
Ridgeway thinks about the counter body kick.
Barca swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Barca looks to throw the jab but Ridgeway is out of range.
Nice jab there from Barca.
Barca scores with a decent looking hook.
Barca closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ridgeway circles away.
Ridgeway avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barca getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Jab by Barca.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barca steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ridgeway.
Ridgeway lunges at Barca with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Barca's hand.
Barca keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ridgeway.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ridgeway slaps away a takedown attempt from Barca, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ridgeway slips a jab from Barca.
Ridgeway fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Barca has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ridgeway throws a jab when Barca was well out of range.
Ridgeway scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Barca doesn't seem bothered though.
Ridgeway attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Ridgeway connects with a leg kick. Barca looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Barca shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Ridgeway misses with a wild body shot.
Ridgeway fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Barca manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Ridgeway on his heels. He'll look to pass Ridgeway's guard now, I'm sure.
Barca working some strikes from top position.
Ridgeway keeping full guard, as Barca tries to pass.
Ridgeway controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ridgeway looking to hit a scissor sweep but Barca is one step ahead there.
Barca advances to half guard.

Ridgeway is defending against the submission attempts here by Barca.
Ridgeway wants to control but Barca is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ridgeway controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Barca wants to control but Ridgeway is keeping him busy.

Barca is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ridgeway manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Barca postures up.
Barca makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Barca wants to pass the guard but Ridgeway is keeping the position.
Barca sitting in guard here, content to control.
Barca stands up over Ridgeway, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Barca 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.
Ridgeway not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Barca drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Barca jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Barca wants to pass the guard but Ridgeway is keeping the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Barca closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Ridgeway's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hannibal Barca dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Barca throws a lazy right hand but Ridgeway sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ridgeway throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Barca throws a big shot that misses.
Ridgeway blocks a jab.
Barca is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ridgeway can do to turn this around?
Ridgeway with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Barca throws out a loose jab but Ridgeway uses good head movement to avoid it.
Barca slips a jab from Ridgeway.
Barca is looking to counter punch.
Ridgeway throws a jab when Barca was well out of range.
Ridgeway slips under a jab.
Ridgeway connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Barca momentarily.
Ridgeway scores with a hook.
Ridgeway slips under a jab from Barca.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ridgeway slips a straight right by Barca.
Barca throws a shot from downtown. Ridgeway moves away and avoids it.
Ridgeway tries a low kick but Barca avoids it.
Ridgeway throws a shot to the body.
Barca is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Barca misses the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Ridgeway throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ridgeway buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ridgeway connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ridgeway looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Ridgeway throws a low kick, looking for Barca's leg but Barca calmly moves out of range.
Ridgeway shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Barca misses with a looping left.
Barca on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Ridgeway moves out of range as Barca strikes.
Barca takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Ridgeway throws a nice inside leg kick.
Barca thuds a left hand into Ridgeway's body.
Ridgeway works the jab nicely.
A jab from Ridgeway misses.
Ridgeway throws a leg kick that is checked

and Barca counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Barca.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barca trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barca controlling from the top position.
Ridgeway preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Barca trying to control but Ridgeway is working from the bottom.
Barca landing some decent shots from guard.
Barca with a nice head shot there.
Barca missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ridgeway wants to stand but Barca is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barca looking to pass the guard.
Barca won't allow Ridgeway to get back to his feet.
Barca trying to control but Ridgeway is working from the bottom.

Barca drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Barca jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ridgeway blocks a jab.
Barca swings for the body but Ridgeway moves out of range.
Ridgeway looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Ridgeway misses the shot to the body.
Barca keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ridgeway.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ridgeway takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Ridgeway scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Barca is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Barca throws a jab when Ridgeway was well out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Ridgeway misses the target.
Barca takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Barca tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ridgeway sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Barca somewhat.
Barca lands a nice hook to Ridgeway's body. Ridgeway takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ridgeway bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Ridgeway lands a nice shot that snaps Barca's head back.
Ridgeway throws a body shot but no joy.
Ridgeway is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Ridgeway misses with a kick to the body.
Ridgeway catches Barca with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mathew Ridgeway really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Barca slips under a jab.
Ridgeway missing with a left hand there. Barca was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Barca throws a lazy right hand but Ridgeway sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ridgeway throws a hook to the side of Barca's head but Barca sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ridgeway misses with a right hand
and Barca counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ridgeway thinking.
A big left from Ridgeway misses.
Barca appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Jab from Ridgeway.
Barca looks to score with a jab to the body but Ridgeway is just out of range.
Barca lands a nice looking body shot.
Mathew Ridgeway seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A jab from Barca misses.
Ridgeway throws a jab but it's blocked by Barca.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ridgeway throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Barca changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Barca on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
A big left from Barca misses.
Barca gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Barca moves out of range as Ridgeway throws a body kick.
Ridgeway gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barca misses with an uppercut.
Ridgeway punishes Barca's body with a nice straight punch.
Ridgeway uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Barca has time to react.
Barca checks the leg kick nicely there.
Barca blocks a leg kick.

Ridgeway tries to sprawl but Barca drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Ridgeway tries to roll over but Barca keeps him under control.
Barca lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Barca is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ridgeway has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ridgeway gets full guard.
Barca wants to control from the top but Ridgeway keeps moving.
Barca is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Ridgeway is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Ridgeway looking to control.
Barca pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ridgeway is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ridgeway is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ridgeway 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.
Barca with a flurry of punches that miss.
Barca looking to sit in guard and control but Ridgeway gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Ridgeway wanted to stand there but Barca had control of the position.
Ridgeway must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Barca keeping moving, preventing Ridgeway from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Ridgeway sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Barca escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ridgeway gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Barca wants to sweep but no luck.

Barca working for a triangle but Ridgeway defends it easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ridgeway controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Mathew Ridgeway 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. 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.

Ridgeway fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Barca has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Barca closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ridgeway circles away.
Ridgeway lands with a nice body punch.
Ridgeway misses the jab.
Ridgeway looks to land a left hand but Barca moved out of range nicely.

Barca closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Ridgeway to the mat! Ridgeway manages to get full guard.
Ridgeway 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.
Ridgeway is trying to keep Barca in close.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ridgeway has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Barca has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Ridgeway misses with a hook from the clinch.

Barca breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ridgeway stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ridgeway tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Barca was well out of range. Poor timing from Ridgeway.
Barca throws a big shot that misses.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Ridgeway.
Ridgeway misses with a body kick.
Barca slips a jab from Ridgeway.
Ridgeway loads up on a big right hand but Barca slips the punch.
Ridgeway throws a body kick that misses.
Ridgeway chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Ridgeway doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Ridgeway throws a leg kick but Barca sees it coming and moves out of range.
Barca takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A slapping leg kick lands for Ridgeway.
Ridgeway lands a nice shot that snaps Barca's head back.
Barca is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ridgeway.
Barca misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ridgeway.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ridgeway throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Barca pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nice shot by Barca.
Barca slips a straight right by Ridgeway.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ridgeway avoids the body shot from Barca.
Barca fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Ridgeway connects with a good right hand that stumbles Barca. Barca circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Ridgeway looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Barca misses with a combination
and Ridgeway counters with a left to the body.
Ridgeway misses with a kick to the body.
Barca on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Ridgeway misses with a straight left.
Barca looks to throw the jab but Ridgeway is out of range.
A big left from Barca misses.
Ridgeway throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barca loads up on a big right hand but Ridgeway slips the punch.
Ridgeway dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Ridgeway, right into the meat.
Ridgeway lands a lovely overhand right.
Ridgeway misses with an uppercut. Barca saw that one coming.
Barca blocks a jab.
Barca drops down looking for a counter takedown but Ridgeway sprawls and moves away.
Barca looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Ridgeway lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Ridgeway tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Barca was well out of range. Poor timing from Ridgeway.
Ridgeway moves out of range as Barca strikes.
Ridgeway ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ridgeway connects with a body shot.
Ridgeway looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Barca is looking to counter punch.
Ridgeway misses the shot to the body.
Barca misses with a hook. Ridgeway ducked under it nicely.
Barca takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barca throws a jab but it's blocked by Ridgeway.
Ridgeway is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Barca with a body shot.
Ridgeway throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Barca counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ridgeway swings for the body but Barca moves out of range.
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!
Ridgeway misses with a hook.
Barca takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Barca bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A little feinted left hand from Barca on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Barca will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Barca wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Ridgeway connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Barca takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ridgeway. Barca does a little dance to reset his feet.
Barca chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ridgeway can pounce on him.
Ridgeway takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Ridgeway uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Barca.
Barca takes one on the chin but seems OK.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mathew Ridgeway comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ridgeway 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 47:48
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 47:48
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mathew Ridgeway!
Mathew Ridgeway thanked the fans post fight for their support.
In defeat, Hannibal Barca stepped up to the mic, saying 'I will either find a way, or make one.'.