PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sven Verdek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gary Richards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Verdek
vs
Richards

167 cm
22
162 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

181 cm
22
158 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Experienced

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sven Verdek!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Gary Richards!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Shigeki Fujiwara and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from Richards misses.

Verdek feints and as Richards raises his hands in defense, Verdek changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Richards is trying to keep Verdek in close.
Verdek in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Richards is trying to keep Verdek in close.
Verdek trying to control but Richards is working from the bottom.
Verdek controls from within his opponent's guard.

Richards is looking for a triangle here but Verdek uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Richards is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Verdek tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Verdek passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Richards!
Richards really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
BOOM! Verdek connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Verdek can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Richards is looking to escape.

Verdek looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Verdek wants to control the pace but Richards is squirming around nicely.
Richards is trying to escape the mount.
Richards tries to hold on but Verdek postures up.
Richards tries to reverse the position but Verdek maintains control.
Verdek controlling the position easily from mount.
Richards is looking to improve his position but Verdek isn't that keen on the idea.
Richards looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards is squirming around, avoiding Verdek's attempts to control the action.
Verdek takes Richards's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Richards is in trouble.

Verdek is working for the choke. It looks like he might have got it... has he...? Yes! Richards is tapping out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:42 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Sven Verdek!