PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Joanderson Ribeiro (ranked 2142 p4p, 3407 weight class) and Cash Cartier (ranked 232 p4p, 344 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Ribeiro
vs
Cartier

172 cm
26
154
6 - 1 - 0

179 cm
18
155
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Prefers standup

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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Joanderson Ribeiro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Cash Cartier!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Richard Clark and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cartier takes a swing at Ribeiro's ribcage but misses.
Ribeiro takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Ribeiro clinches.

Cartier manages to break the clinch.
Ribeiro slips a straight right by Cartier.
Cartier just misses with a punch to the body.
Cartier throws a right hand that misses
and Ribeiro counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Cartier throws a head kick but Ribeiro moves out of range.
Nice cross by Ribeiro.
Cartier circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cartier misses with a head kick.
Ribeiro connects with a jab.
Cartier misses with an uppercut. Ribeiro saw that one coming.
Ribeiro lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cartier misses with a hook.
Ribeiro wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Ribeiro ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ribeiro looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Cartier throws a head kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ribeiro works Cartier's body with a nice hook.

Ribeiro clinches up against the cage.

Ribeiro jumps guard.

Ribeiro throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Cartier wants to pass the guard but Ribeiro is keeping the position.
Ribeiro is trying to control the position but Cartier postures up.

Ribeiro is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cartier is aware though and is defending well.
Ribeiro looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Cartier wants to pass the guard but Ribeiro is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Ribeiro looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Cartier looking to pass the guard.
Ribeiro looking for a sweep. Not yet Ribeiro, not yet.
Cartier trying to control but Ribeiro is working from the bottom.
Cartier works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Cartier is pressing down on Ribeiro's thigh, looking to free his foot. Ribeiro is holding on for now.
Ribeiro is not content to let Cartier control the position.
Ribeiro is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Cartier's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Cartier's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ribeiro tightening his grip on Cartier, looking for the choke.
Cartier told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Cartier is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Ribeiro gets his way!

Ribeiro is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Cartier knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Cartier for a finish.
Ribeiro throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro doesn't have the hooks in and Cartier manages to turn into his guard.
Cartier stands and throws Ribeiro's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Cartier laying and praying for a moment but Ribeiro takes advantage and regains half guard.
Ribeiro tries to get to full guard but Cartier has control of the leg.

Ribeiro is defending against the submission attempts here by Cartier.
Ribeiro is concentrating on defense, preventing Cartier from advancing position.
Cartier is trying to control. Ribeiro wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joanderson Ribeiro dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

The fighters circling - Cartier throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Ribeiro gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Cartier pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd cheers as Ribeiro lands an impressive looking overhand right. Cartier doesn't seem phased though.
Cartier with a nice calf kick.
Cartier getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Ribeiro tries to clinch up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ribeiro looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Cartier throws an overhand right that lands on Ribeiro's shoulder, as Ribeiro tries to avoid the shot.
Cartier misses with a right hand

and Ribeiro holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Cartier misses with an elbow strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ribeiro tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Cartier just stands there and leans against the cage.
Ribeiro jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Cartier walks away with a smile on his face. Ribeiro gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Ribeiro tries to clinch up but Cartier circles away and keeps his distance.

Ribeiro instigates a clinch.

Cartier breaks from the clinch.
Ribeiro tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cartier looks to score with a jab to the body but Ribeiro is just out of range.
Cartier fakes the leg kick and cracks Ribeiro in the body.
Ribeiro blocks a head kick by Cartier.
Ribeiro is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
A jab from Cartier misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ribeiro looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Cartier swats away the attempt to clinch by Ribeiro.
Cartier throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ribeiro throwing a counter right hand but Cartier manages to avoid it.
Ribeiro slips under a jab.
Ribeiro lands a jab.
Cartier misses with a body shot.
Ribeiro tries to close the distance and clinch but Cartier swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cash Cartier seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ribeiro throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cartier.
A slow jab from Cartier misses its intended target.
Cartier throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Cartier throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ribeiro.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cartier gets tackled into the cage by Ribeiro. Ribeiro maintains the clinch.
Ribeiro jumps guard but Cartier turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joanderson Ribeiro. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ribeiro manages to pull guard.

Ribeiro working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Cartier doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Cartier manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cartier wants to pass the guard but Ribeiro is keeping the position.

Ribeiro working for a triangle but Cartier defends it easily.
Cartier wants to pass the guard but Ribeiro is keeping the position.
Cartier is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ribeiro had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Cartier defends it easily.
Cartier looking to sit in guard and control but Ribeiro gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Ribeiro postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Joanderson Ribeiro overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Cartier wants to stand but Ribeiro is controlling the position.
Ribeiro trying to control but Cartier is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro throws an elbow that misses. Cartier uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ribeiro's guard. Nice move by Cartier!

Ribeiro escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Cartier gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Cartier 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.
Ribeiro 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.
Cartier passes easily into side control. Nice work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Cash Cartier will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, 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.

Cartier avoids the body shot from Ribeiro.

Ribeiro moves into the clinch successfully.
Ribeiro fails to pull guard.
Ribeiro blocks an elbow strike from Cartier.
Ribeiro tries to pull guard but Cartier won't allow it.

Ribeiro has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Cartier uses from the top position.
Cartier trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Cartier wants to control from the top but Ribeiro keeps moving.

Ribeiro has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cartier can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Ribeiro bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cartier's guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cartier keeping moving, preventing Ribeiro from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cartier is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cartier wants to stand but Ribeiro is controlling the position.

Cartier manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

Cartier's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Ribeiro clinches up against the cage.
Cartier leaning against his opponent.
Cartier lands an elbow inside that Ribeiro shrugs off.

Ribeiro jumps into guard, dragging Cartier to the mat.
Cartier trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Cartier drops back, looking for a kneebar! Ribeiro looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Ribeiro looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Ribeiro!

Cartier is not content to let Ribeiro control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cartier is looking for a sweep.
Ribeiro wants to control but Cartier is keeping him busy.
Cartier is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Ribeiro is controlling him well.
Cartier tries to bench press Ribeiro off him but Ribeiro keeps the position.
Cartier pushes Ribeiro away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Ribeiro gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cartier is trying to get back to half guard.

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

Ribeiro is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Cartier knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The strikes coming from Ribeiro are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Cartier struggling a bit here.

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.
Ribeiro tries to move to mount but Cartier blocks the move with his legs.
Ribeiro trying to control the position but Cartier is working away.

Ribeiro is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Cartier is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Cartier wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Ribeiro goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Cartier has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Ribeiro but great work by Cartier.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joanderson Ribeiro showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ribeiro 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joanderson Ribeiro!
In his post fight interview, Joanderson Ribeiro started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.
Cash Cartier was interviewed post fight and said 'Still got paid '.