PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Paul Ribiero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lance Stargrove (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Ribiero
vs
Stargrove

178 cm
18
151 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

180 cm
19
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Paul Ribiero!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Lance Stargrove!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stargrove has managed to clinch.

Ribiero drags the fight down to the ground.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Ribiero tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Stargrove trying to control the position from guard on top but Ribiero is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Ribiero had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Stargrove defends it easily.

Ribiero is looking for a triangle but Stargrove pushes his legs off easily.
Stargrove won't allow Ribiero to sweep him here.

Ribiero looking for a guillotine here but Stargrove defends easily.
Ribiero keeping moving, preventing Stargrove from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stargrove is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Stargrove is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Stargrove trying to control the position from guard on top but Ribiero is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ribiero has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stargrove trying to control the position from guard on top but Ribiero is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stargrove might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Ribiero kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Lance Stargrove was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Ribiero scores with a kick to the midsection.
Stargrove tries to clinch up but Ribiero circles away and keeps his distance.
Stargrove tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ribiero paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Ribiero closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ribiero slows the pace down in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ribiero decides to return to a standing position.
Stargrove looks gassed!

Ribiero has closed the distance and engaged Stargrove in a clinch.

Ribiero tightens his grip and picks Stargrove up, before dumping him to the ground. Stargrove manages to land in guard.
Stargrove not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Stargrove had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ribiero defends it easily.

Stargrove escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ribiero gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ribiero is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ribiero throwing strikes but missing.
Ribiero content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Ribiero looking to pass the guard.
Ribiero wants to control from the top but Stargrove keeps moving.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ribiero stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Stargrove swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Ribiero sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Stargrove's guard.
Ribiero trying to mount his opponent but Stargrove defends it.
Stargrove tries to get to full guard but Ribiero has control of the leg.
Stargrove wants to control but Ribiero is keeping busy.

Stargrove actively working from the bottom here.
Ribiero working Stargrove over with strikes.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Stargrove wants to control but Ribiero is keeping busy.
Ribiero trying to mount his opponent but Stargrove defends it.
Stargrove wants to control the action here but instead Ribiero manages to pass to full mount!
Ribiero content just to control the position here.
Ribiero is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Stargrove can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Ribiero is standing up, even though he is in mount.

Ribiero drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Ribiero controls the position from side control.

Ribiero stands up.

Ribiero looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Ribiero trying to control the position from guard on top but Stargrove is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ribiero controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
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!
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Paul Ribiero just wasn't active enough.

Ribiero closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Stargrove did well to prevent Ribiero getting side control.

Stargrove is defending against the submission attempts here by Ribiero.

Stargrove is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ribiero pulls his head out easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ribiero working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Stargrove's thigh. Stargrove counters though and makes it back to full guard.

Ribiero stands and steps away. Stargrove gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Ribiero dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ribiero gets a double leg takedown into Stargrove's guard.
Ribiero sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Ribiero gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Stargrove wants to clinch.
Ribiero misses with a double jab.

Ribiero scores a takedown into full mount!
Stargrove can't escape the position.
Stargrove is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ribiero unloading with bombs!
Ribiero content just to control the position here.
Stargrove takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

Ribiero looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Stargrove is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ribiero working Stargrove over with strikes here.
Ribiero lands a big elbow.
Stargrove is desperately trying to improve his position but Ribiero has a good base and remains in mount.

Ribiero swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Stargrove is now in Ribiero's guard. A big mistake from Ribiero there, giving up the dominant position!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ribiero pulls Stargrove in close to his closed guard and prevents Stargrove from doing any damage or advancing position.

Ribiero has his foot on Stargrove's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stargrove works his way back into a safe position though.

Ribiero scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ribiero moves into the clinch successfully.

Stargrove jumps into guard, dragging Ribiero to the mat.
Stargrove keeping moving, preventing Ribiero from controlling successfully.

Ribiero decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Stargrove, up you get!

Ribiero scores with a takedown into Stargrove's guard.

Ribiero gets to his feet - Stargrove follows without any prompting.
Ribiero throws a head kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ribiero misses with a body kick.

Ribiero closes the distance and clinches.
Ribiero manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Ribiero breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ribiero tries a low kick but Stargrove avoids it.
Stargrove darts in trying to clinch
and Ribiero counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Stargrove fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Stargrove tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Ribiero counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Ribiero swats away the attempt to clinch by Stargrove.

Ribiero changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Stargrove looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Stargrove tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Ribiero sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ribiero has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Ribiero with a couple of short strikes.
Ribiero working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Ribiero in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ribiero landing punches.

Ribiero gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!

Ribiero closes the distance and clinches.

Ribiero has picked Stargrove up - he's going for a ride! Ribiero dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Ribiero in particular looking to stall.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Ribiero tries to pass the half guard into mount. Stargrove knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Ribiero has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Ribiero with shots to the head and body - Stargrove looks very uncomfortable down there.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Ribiero wants to control the pace but Stargrove is squirming around nicely.
Ribiero takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Ribiero tries to control but Stargrove wriggling away.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Stargrove tries to hold on but Ribiero postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Paul Ribiero just wasn't active enough.
Ribiero misses with a two punch combination.

Ribiero shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

Ribiero stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stargrove throws a chopping leg kick but Ribiero manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Stargrove blocks a head kick by Ribiero.
Stargrove tries to clinch

and Ribiero counters with a single leg into guard. Stargrove didn't expect that.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Ribiero dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ribiero rushes Stargrove and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ribiero prevents the takedown attempt.

Ribiero manages to break the clinch.
Nice shot by Ribiero.
Stargrove avoids a kick to the body.
Ribiero is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stargrove can do to turn this around?

Ribiero closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Stargrove did well to prevent Ribiero getting side control.

Stargrove looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Ribiero looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stargrove on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Ribiero is taking a breather. Stargrove says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Ribiero wants to pass to mount but Stargrove is defending the position.
Stargrove trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Ribiero manages to pass to mount!
Ribiero working Stargrove over with strikes here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ribiero landing punches.
Ribiero tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Stargrove is desperately trying to improve his position but Ribiero has a good base and remains in mount.
Ribiero content just to control the position here.
Stargrove is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Ribiero landing shots from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ribiero controlling the pace for now.

Ribiero has control of Stargrove's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Stargrove regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Ribiero landing strikes from the mount.
Stargrove is trying desperately to improve position.
Ribiero with shots to the head and body - Stargrove looks very uncomfortable down there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ribiero looking to control and managing it successfully.
Ribiero cracks Stargrove with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Ribiero content just to control the position here.
Ribiero lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Ribiero has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Stargrove's face.
Ribiero lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Ribiero controlling his opponent.
Ribiero trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Stargrove tries to hold on but Ribiero postures up.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Ribiero content just to control the position here.
Ribiero putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Stargrove really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Ribiero controlling the pace for now.
Stargrove is looking to get to half guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Ribiero takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Ribiero lands a heavy elbow.
Ribiero sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Stargrove wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
You can see the frustration on Stargrove's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Ribiero scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Stargrove is looking for a way out.
Ribiero is riding his opponent, not letting Stargrove buck him off.

Ribiero is working the back position looking for the choke. Oh, he's slid into an armbar! Beautiful transition and Stargrove taps out! Fantastic Jiu Jitsu from Ribiero.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 8:52 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Paul Ribiero!