PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between David Cummings (ranked 775 p4p, 1025 weight class) and Joanderson Ribeiro (ranked 66 p4p, 90 weight class). Ribeiro has chosen Tropkillaz-Gorilla as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Cummings
vs
Ribeiro

174 cm
30
148
10 - 5 - 0

172 cm
30
154
11 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Very quick

Good takedowns
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Silverguard Outfitters 🛡

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, David Cummings!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joanderson Ribeiro!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Chad Campbell and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ribeiro misses with a hook.
Cummings seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

Ribeiro gets tackled into the cage by Cummings. Cummings maintains the clinch.
Ribeiro is trying to break free.
We've been hearing reports that Cummings has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Ribeiro is trying to force a seperation but Cummings has the dominant position.
Ribeiro is trying to break free.
Cummings is trying to pull guard but Ribeiro turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Ribeiro looking to throw knees to the head but Cummings is blocking nicely.
Ribeiro with an attempt at a knee that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A knee to the head by Ribeiro.

It looks like David Cummings has been cut.
Cummings prevents Ribeiro from breaking the clinch.

Cummings jumps into guard, dragging Ribeiro to the mat.

Cummings has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ribeiro can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cummings working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cummings working for a triangle but Ribeiro defends it easily.
Ribeiro's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Cummings had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ribeiro defends it easily.
Ribeiro 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Cummings looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Ribeiro has picked Cummings up and slammed him! Cummings can't keep hold of the triangle and Ribeiro manages to pass to side control!
Ribeiro working away.
Ribeiro moves into full mount!
Cummings wants to hold on but Ribeiro pushes him away.
Ribeiro tries to control but Cummings wriggling away.
Ribeiro tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Cummings looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ribeiro working for a choke but Cummings is defending well.
Our spies down at at California Top Team inform us that Ribeiro has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Cummings is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Ribeiro misses with punches from the back.

Ribeiro working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Cummings can't escape the position.

Ribeiro looking for the choke from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro trying to control.
Cummings is really stuck here.
Ribeiro gets his hands free as Cummings looks to control.
Ribeiro is punishing Cummings with strikes - can he finish him?!
Ribeiro is trying to stick to Cummings's back but Cummings is turning into Ribeiro. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Ribeiro's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Cummings.
Cummings passes into half guard.

Cummings looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Cummings is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joanderson Ribeiro dominated that round.
The cut man is working on David Cummings's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Cummings closes the distance and clinches.
Ribeiro misses with a knee to the head.
Cummings fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Cummings tries to pull guard but Ribeiro won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cummings works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Ribeiro scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Ribeiro has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A big left from Ribeiro misses.
Cummings moves out of range as Ribeiro strikes.
As Ribeiro looks to move away, Cummings throws a big counter combo but Ribeiro just gets out of the way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cummings moves out of range of the strikes.
Cummings is looking for a counter combo.
Cummings checks a leg kick.
As Ribeiro looks to move away, Cummings throws a big counter combo but Ribeiro just gets out of the way.
Cummings shoots in looking for a takedown but Ribeiro manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cummings's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for David Cummings. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ribeiro throws the left hand but Cummings avoids the punch easily.
Cummings walks into a straight right hand from Ribeiro.
The fighters circling - Ribeiro throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
As Ribeiro looks to move away, Cummings throws a big counter combo but Ribeiro just gets out of the way.
Joanderson Ribeiro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ribeiro misses with an uppercut
and Cummings counters with an outside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro misses with a double jab.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
A jab from Ribeiro misses.
Cummings went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Ribeiro will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Cummings walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro throws a leg kick that is checked

and Cummings counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Cummings trying to control the position from guard on top but Ribeiro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ribeiro is controlling Cummings's posture.
Cummings trying to control but Ribeiro is working from the bottom.

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

Ribeiro got a little sloppy there for a moment and Cummings has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ribeiro has managed to get both his arms back between Cummings's legs - danger averted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro advances position into side control!
Ribeiro tries to advance to mount but can't.

Ribeiro is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Cummings is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Cummings stuck in half guard on the bottom here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cummings is not content to let Ribeiro control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joanderson Ribeiro showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on David Cummings's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cummings fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cummings takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Cummings checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ribeiro throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Cummings moves out of range of the strikes.
Cummings appears to be looking for a big counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Ribeiro. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Ribeiro.
Ribeiro misses with a series of wild punches.
Cummings throws a big counter combination but Ribeiro scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Cummings takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Cummings shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Ribeiro's guard.
Joanderson Ribeiro has got the better of the ground game so far.
Cummings trying to control the position from guard on top but Ribeiro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cummings looking to sit in guard and control but Ribeiro gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Cummings trying to control the position.

Cummings is looking for a triangle here but Ribeiro uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Cummings tries to buck Ribeiro off but Ribeiro is having none of it.
Ribeiro trying to control the action but Cummings is working from the bottom.
Cummings is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro trying to control the position but Cummings is working away.
Ribeiro lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Cummings down.
Cummings is looking to reverse the position.
Cummings sneaks back into half guard.
Cummings controlling the position well.
Ribeiro frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro controlling the position easily from mount.
Ribeiro lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Cummings keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Ribeiro controlling his opponent.
Cummings is trying desperately to improve position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cummings regains half guard.
Ribeiro is looking to advance position but Cummings won't allow it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joanderson Ribeiro really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on David Cummings's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A slow jab from Ribeiro misses its intended target.
Ribeiro misses the jab.
Cummings went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Ribeiro throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

so Cummings counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Ribeiro has his feet on Cummings's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Joanderson Ribeiro seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ribeiro jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Cummings went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cummings on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ribeiro. Ribeiro obviously looking to wear him down.
Cummings moves away from the strike by Ribeiro.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cummings clinches with his opponent.

Cummings manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Ribeiro is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Ribeiro trying to control but Cummings is working from the bottom.
Cummings has control of Ribeiro's left arm, preventing Ribeiro from doing any damage.
Ribeiro wants to control from the top but Cummings keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro postures up.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Ribeiro is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cummings shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cummings moves out of range of the body kick from Ribeiro.
Cummings swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Cummings checks a leg kick.
Ribeiro lands a jab-cross combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cummings appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Cummings tries to clinch there but Ribeiro circles away.
Cummings with a lazy takedown attempt
and Ribeiro connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Cummings showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ribeiro.
Cummings half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Ribeiro throws a series of punches but Cummings avoids them all with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro throws a hook but Cummings avoids it easily.
Cummings changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Ribeiro getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Ribeiro will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
As Ribeiro looks to move away, Cummings throws a big counter combo but Ribeiro just gets out of the way.
Ribeiro misses with a hook. Cummings ducked under it nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cummings fails with an attempt to clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joanderson Ribeiro dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on David Cummings's cut.
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.

Ribeiro missing with a left hand there. Cummings was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Cummings slips under a jab.
Cummings seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Cummings slips a jab from Ribeiro.

Cummings has Ribeiro up against the cage in a clinch.
Ribeiro is pressed up against the cage. Cummings has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Ribeiro down to the mat. Ribeiro avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cummings slips a jab from Ribeiro.
Cummings defending well as Ribeiro loads up on a big left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ribeiro misses with a hook.
Ribeiro cracks Cummings with a right hand to the side of the head.

Cummings shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Ribeiro napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Cummings working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Ribeiro is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Cummings tries to pass to full mount but Ribeiro defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cummings passes to side control.
Ribeiro tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Cummings trying to control the position but Ribeiro is working away.
Ribeiro tries to bench press Cummings off him but Cummings keeps the position.
Cummings prevents Ribeiro from escaping the position.
You can see the frustration on Ribeiro's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Cummings is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Ribeiro has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro wants to control but Cummings postures up.
Cummings wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ribeiro keeps working.
Ribeiro is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Cummings off and has taken his back!

Cummings defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Ribeiro's arms.
Cummings rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Ribeiro moves into full mount! Cummings won't be happy about that!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cummings keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Ribeiro working the ground and pound effectively.
Cummings is trying to escape the mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ribeiro controlling from mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joanderson Ribeiro comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ribeiro winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 45:50
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 45:50
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joanderson Ribeiro!
Joanderson Ribeiro is the new featherweight champion!
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.