PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mathew Ridgeway (ranked 250 p4p, 30 weight class) and Shepherd Bushiri (ranked 545 p4p, 72 weight class). Ridgeway comes into the arena with The Forgotten War blaring out of the sound system. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Ridgeway
vs
Bushiri

174 cm
37
159 lbs
35 - 16 - 1

172 cm
31
135 lbs
16 - 5 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Sin City Allstars

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 35 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Mathew Ridgeway!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 5 - 1, fighting out of London, Shepherd Bushiri!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Steven Brown and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ridgeway feints and then cracks Bushiri's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Bushiri down.
Bushiri checks a leg kick.
Bushiri steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Ridgeway.
Ridgeway looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Bushiri misses with a low kick as Ridgeway jumps back.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ridgeway.
Bushiri throws a chopping leg kick but Ridgeway manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Bushiri feints and then cracks Ridgeway's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ridgeway down.
Ridgeway throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Ridgeway misses with a wild body shot.
Ridgeway sets himself, and Bushiri steps forward looking for the clinch! Ridgeway avoids it this time.
Ridgeway throws the kick towards the body but Bushiri avoids it.
Ridgeway thows a leg kick but Bushiri checks it
and Bushiri counters with a body kick that stops Ridgeway in his tracks momentarily.
Bushiri scores with a jab to the jaw.
Ridgeway works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Ridgeway fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Some bone on bone action there as Bushiri checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Ridgeway scores with a spinning back kick!
Ridgeway tries to score with a low kick but Bushiri moves his leg out of the way.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bushiri takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Ridgeway moves out of range as Bushiri throws a body kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ridgeway. Bushiri does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ridgeway misses with an uppercut. Bushiri saw that one coming.
Ridgeway sets himself, and Bushiri steps forward looking for the clinch! Ridgeway avoids it this time.
Bushiri tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ridgeway connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Bushiri's hands.
Ridgeway misses with a lunging right hand
and Bushiri counters with a low kick, right behind Ridgeway 's knee.
Ridgeway scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Bushiri rushes Ridgeway and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Bushiri lands with a light punch inside.
A shot in the inside from Bushiri.
Bushiri misses with a short punch on the inside.
Bushiri can't find room to land a body shot as Ridgeway controls the action.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ridgeway.
Bushiri digs a right hand underneath Ridgeway's ribcage. Ridgeway let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Ridgeway lands a right hand that snaps the head of Bushiri backwards.
Ridgeway misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ridgeway misses with a shot to the kidneys.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ridgeway can't find room to land a body shot as Bushiri controls the action.
Bushiri throws a head punch that misses.
Ridgeway lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bushiri backwards.
Bushiri lands a body shot.
Ridgeway lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Bushiri backwards.
Ridgeway throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ridgeway lands a right hand.
Ridgeway lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Bushiri backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ridgeway throws a head punch that misses.
Ridgeway's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Bushiri blocks a body shot from Ridgeway.
Ridgeway blocking some punches.
Ridgeway lands on the inside with an uppercut.
We've been informed that Bushiri has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Ridgeway.
Bushiri misses with a body punch.
Bushiri cracks Ridgeway with a nice body shot.
Ridgeway is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Bushiri misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bushiri tries to work over Ridgeway's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ridgeway tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ridgeway misses with the head strike.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ridgeway creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A hook to the body from Bushiri.
Ridgeway throws a head punch that misses.
Bushiri misses with a body punch.
Ridgeway goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ridgeway blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bushiri tries a body shot but Ridgeway blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bushiri lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ridgeway.
Bushiri tries a body shot but Ridgeway blocks it.
Ridgeway lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ridgeway misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ridgeway misses with a body punch.
Ridgeway misses with a body punch.
Ridgeway swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ridgeway lands a left hand that snaps the head of Bushiri backwards.
Ridgeway tries a body shot but Bushiri blocks it.
Bushiri goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A right hook to the body lands for Ridgeway.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ridgeway.
Ridgeway gets through Bushiri's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Ridgeway stalling in the clinch but Bushiri improves position.
Bushiri misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bushiri throws a head punch that misses.
Bushiri lands a right hand.
A body shot lands from Bushiri.
Ridgeway lands a right hand that snaps the head of Bushiri backwards.
Ridgeway cracks Bushiri with a nice body shot.
Ridgeway goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bushiri struggles to land a body shot inside as Ridgeway controls his hands.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A head punch on the inside from Ridgeway fails to land.
Nice body punch from Ridgeway.
Bushiri doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Bushiri tries to throw a body punch but Ridgeway avoids it by throwing Bushiri back against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Bushiri scores with a nice short uppercut.
Bushiri prevents a body shot from Ridgeway.
Ridgeway lands a nice uppercut.
Bushiri working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Ridgeway tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bushiri's elbow.
A body shot lands from Bushiri.
Ridgeway misses with a hook from the clinch.
Bushiri blocks a body shot from Ridgeway.
Bushiri blocks a body shot from Ridgeway.
Bushiri lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
A short left from Ridgeway.
Ridgeway lands a right hand.
Bushiri swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ridgeway lands an uppercut.
Bushiri tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ridgeway's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mathew Ridgeway dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Ridgeway cracks the inside of Bushiri's front leg.
Mathew Ridgeway is winning the standup battle so far.
Ridgeway does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Ridgeway backing away here, and Bushiri unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ridgeway. Bushiri does a little dance to reset his feet.
A big right from Bushiri misses.
Bushiri takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Bushiri throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bushiri 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.
Bushiri drops his hands momentarily and Ridgeway takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Ridgeway lands with an uppercut that bounces Bushiri off the cage and back into range.
Bushiri avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Good work by Bushiri as he checks the leg kick.
Bushiri throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ridgeway was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Bushiri walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Ridgeway checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bushiri throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Ridgeway throws an off balance right hand
and Bushiri counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ridgeway thinking.
A low kick from Ridgeway is predictable there
and Bushiri connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
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 pivots, looking for a leg kick but Bushiri is out of range and Ridgeway settles back down.
Ridgeway throws a leg kick which misses Bushiri's front leg but catches the back leg as Bushiri tries to avoid it.
Bushiri tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Ridgeway cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bushiri chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ridgeway can pounce on him.
Ridgeway connects with a solid leg kick.
Bushiri misses with a body kick.
Ridgeway wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Ridgeway throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Bushiri counters with a stiff right hand.
Nice defenses there by Ridgeway.
Nice defenses there by Bushiri.
Ridgeway connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ridgeway thows a leg kick but Bushiri checks it
and Bushiri counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Bushiri takes a jab right on the kisser.
Ridgeway misses with a body kick.
Ridgeway tries to score with a low kick but Bushiri moves his leg out of the way.
Bushiri flicks out a counter leg kick but Ridgeway steps away.
Ridgeway is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bushiri can do to turn this around?
Bushiri scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Some bone on bone action there as Bushiri checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Bushiri lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
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!
Bushiri looks to score with a jab to the body but Ridgeway is just out of range.
Ridgeway fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Bushiri checks it well.
Ridgeway checks a low kick from Bushiri.
A big right from Bushiri misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ridgeway scores with a spinning back kick!
Ridgeway lands a nice looking body shot.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ridgeway.
Bushiri pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bushiri keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Ridgeway catches Bushiri with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Ridgeway keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ridgeway thumps Bushiri with a low kick.
Ridgeway throws the kick towards the body but Bushiri avoids it.
Ridgeway with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Mathew Ridgeway seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ridgeway avoids the body shot from Bushiri.
Ridgeway fires out a quick counter leg kick but Bushiri just manages to avoid it.
Bushiri looks to land a body kick but Ridgeway moved away.
Ridgeway throws a body shot but no joy.
Bushiri feints a counter leg kick.
Bushiri moves out of range as Ridgeway strikes.
Bushiri swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Bushiri tries a head kick but it misses.
Nice uppercut lands for Bushiri. That snapped Ridgeway's head back.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Ridgeway - that will leave a mark!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bushiri throws a jab when Ridgeway was well out of range.
Ridgeway checks a low kick from Bushiri.
Ridgeway throws a leg kick that misses.
Bushiri wants to counter with a clinch but Ridgeway pushes him away.
Bushiri changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Bushiri misses with a straight left.
Ridgeway throws a jab when Bushiri was well out of range.
Ridgeway misses with a wild body shot.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ridgeway.
Ridgeway swings for the body but Bushiri moves out of range.
Bushiri takes a swing at Ridgeway's ribcage but misses.
Ridgeway connects with a good right hand that stumbles Bushiri. Bushiri circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Ridgeway walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Bushiri checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Ridgeway with a jab.
Bushiri chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ridgeway can pounce on him.
Bushiri takes one to the chin there.
Bushiri checks a low kick from Ridgeway.
And Bushiri responds with a good body kick, but Ridgeway manages to step out the way in time.
Bushiri tried to score with a low kick but Ridgeway checks it.
An attempted straight right counter from Ridgeway misses the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ridgeway ducks under a wild hook from Bushiri.
An attempted straight right counter from Ridgeway misses the target.
Bushiri throws a lazy uppercut
and Ridgeway counters with a straight right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ridgeway tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Bushiri is able to avoid easily.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ridgeway.
Ridgeway misses with a low kick.
Ridgeway thumps Bushiri with a low kick.
A jab from Ridgeway misses.
Bushiri throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A swing and a miss from Ridgeway.
Bushiri misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ridgeway.
Bushiri checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Bushiri throws out a counter right but Ridgeway avoids it with no problem.
Ridgeway throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Bushiri stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Ridgeway throws a right hand that misses
and Bushiri counters with a right hand to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Ridgeway.
Ridgeway lands an overhand right.
Bushiri tries to clinch up.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ridgeway. That's going to slow Bushiri down.
Some bone on bone action there as Bushiri checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mathew Ridgeway dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Ridgeway throws a sloppy body shot
and Bushiri counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ridgeway misses with a low kick.
Ridgeway tries to work over Bushiri's front leg with a kick but Bushiri checks it.
Bushiri throws a nice outside leg kick.
Bushiri throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
A decent looking cross lands there for Ridgeway.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Bushiri.
Ridgeway tries to land a front kick but Bushiri steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A low kick from Ridgeway misses
and Bushiri counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ridgeway lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Bushiri throws a jab but it's blocked by Ridgeway.
Bushiri throws a sloppy head kick and Ridgeway moves out of range easily.
Ridgeway lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Ridgeway throws a poor cross that misses
and Bushiri counters with a stiff right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ridgeway throws a leg kick that is checked
and Bushiri makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Ridgeway throws a body shot but no joy.
Bushiri ducks under a wild hook from Ridgeway.
Ridgeway jabs at Bushiri's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ridgeway lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Bushiri blocks a leg kick.
Ridgeway ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bushiri moves out of range of the leg kick from Ridgeway.
Nice cross by Bushiri.
Ridgeway keeps the fight on the outside.
Ridgeway misses with a low kick.
Ridgeway throws a lazy right hand but Bushiri sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Ridgeway lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Bushiri has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Bushiri and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Despite the aggression on Bushiri's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Nice defenses there by Bushiri.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Ridgeway.
Ridgeway jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bushiri throws a solid leg kick but Ridgeway takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Bushiri.
Ridgeway takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Bushiri tries to clinch but Ridgeway is having none of it.
Ridgeway swings away with a body shot that misses
and Bushiri counters with a nice body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ridgeway. Bushiri does a little dance to reset his feet.
Shepherd Bushiri has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ridgeway throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bushiri thuds his right hand into Ridgeway's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bushiri takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Ridgeway looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A big left from Ridgeway misses.
Bushiri throws a leg kick but Ridgeway sees it coming and moves out of range.
Ridgeway is looking to counter punch.
Ridgeway lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Ridgeway throws out a leg kick but Bushiri moves out of range and Ridgeway only half commits.
Ridgeway scores with a jab to the jaw.
Ridgeway throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ridgeway jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bushiri swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ridgeway throws a push kick but Bushiri slaps the foot to one side.
Ridgeway misses with a body kick.
Bushiri pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A slapping leg kick lands for Bushiri.
A decent looking cross lands there for Ridgeway.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bushiri keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Bushiri takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Bushiri on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ridgeway. Ridgeway obviously looking to wear him down.
Ridgeway throws a jab but it's blocked by Bushiri.
Bushiri's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Ridgeway feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Bushiris jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Ridgeway takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Ridgeway looks for the body kick but Bushiri saw that one coming.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ridgeway uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bushiri.
Bushiri throws a body kick that misses.
Ridgeway tries to work over Bushiri's front leg with a kick but Bushiri checks it.
Bushiri throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ridgeway avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Bushiri takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Ridgeway misses with a double jab.
Ridgeway takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Ridgeway scores with a crisp jab that stopped Bushiri in his tracks.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A shot to the liver by Bushiri. Beautiful body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ridgeway fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Bushiri checks it well.
A big left from Bushiri misses.
Ridgeway ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bushiri moves away.
Mathew Ridgeway is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bushiri tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bushiri connects with an inside leg kick.
Ridgeway connects with a solid leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Bushiri.
Bushiri misses with a hook.
Ridgeway was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Ridgeway with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Ridgeway tries to land a leg kick but Bushiri saw it coming and moves away.
Ridgeway walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Bushiri checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Ridgeway slips a jab from Bushiri.
Ridgeway ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bushiri moves away.
Bushiri takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice straight punches there by Ridgeway. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Ridgeway.
Ridgeway throws a leg kick which misses Bushiri's front leg but catches the back leg as Bushiri tries to avoid it.
Ridgeway connects with a nice looking jab.

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 Mathew Ridgeway.
Well Ridgeway has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 William Gold scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27

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