PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ibbe Ribbler (ranked 4719 p4p, 415 weight class) and Johny Vargas (ranked 2825 p4p, 263 weight class). Ribbler's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Smash Mouth - All Star. Vargas is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Drake - Trophies. Johny Vargas is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Ribbler
vs
Vargas

180 cm
20
165 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

174 cm
28
157 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Aspire Nutrition

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ibbe Ribbler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Johny Vargas!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Gregory Folan and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vargas has his takedown stuffed
and Ribbler counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Vargas tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ribbler sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Vargas somewhat.
Vargas misses with a few strikes there.
Vargas throws a nice looking combination but Ribbler bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Vargas.
Ibbe Ribbler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johny Vargas.
Vargas tests Ribbler's chin there with a solid looking shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ribbler swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Vargas shoots and misses
and Ribbler counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Vargas throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ribbler counters with a straight right hand.
Vargas lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ribbler circles away quickly and effectively.
Ribbler loads up on a big right hand but Vargas slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ribbler displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Vargas.
Vargas throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ribbler's waist but Ribbler gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Vargas off to one side.
Ribbler misses with an uppercut.
Vargas misses with a right hand
and Vargas takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A shot to the body from Vargas misses
letting Ribbler counter with a right hand.
Vargas scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Johny Vargas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Vargas is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Ribbler's half guard.
Ribbler wants to get back to full guard.
Vargas is trying to control the action in half guard but Ribbler is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Vargas content to control rather than advance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vargas looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vargas thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Well, if Vargas is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Ribbler is trying to get back to full guard.
Ribbler is holding on to half guard well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vargas not landing any meaningful shots this time.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Vargas seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ribbler does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Vargas misses with a series of wild punches.

Vargas is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Ribbler's half guard.

Ribbler kicks Vargas off and gets back to his feet.
Ribbler is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Vargas throws a series of punches but Ribbler moves out of range.
Vargas works Ribbler's body with a nice hook.
Vargas moves into range and connects with a jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vargas shoots in but Ribbler avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ribbler lands a jab.
Ribbler throws a series of punches but Vargas avoids them all with ease.
Ribbler just misses with a punch to the body.

Ribbler gets caught flat footed, as Vargas shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Vargas sitting in guard here, content to control.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Ribbler holds on and takes a little breather.
Vargas postures up in Ribbler's guard and throws a big left but Ribbler blocks it.

Ribbler looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Vargas has picked Ribbler up and slammed him! Ribbler can't keep hold of the triangle and Vargas manages to pass to side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Johny Vargas will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Vargas misses with a double jab
and Ribbler counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ribbler jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Vargas.
Johny Vargas has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ribbler is being controlled here.
Ribbler is looking for a sweep.
Ribbler is working hard here to advance position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vargas tries to move to mount but Ribbler blocks the move with his legs.
Vargas working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vargas is looking to take a break and control but Ribbler is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ribbler is working to avoid the ground and pound but Vargas connects with a decent elbow.
Vargas controlling the position from side mount.
Ribbler manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Vargas wants to take a breather but Ribbler is having none of it.
Vargas is controlling the pace.
Vargas looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Ribbler with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

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.
Vargas stalling.
Ribbler is looking to control Vargas's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ribbler avoid being mounted?
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Ribbler wants to improve his position but Vargas is controlling well.
Vargas keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vargas ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Vargas looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ribbler is fending him off so far but Vargas persists. Nope, Ribbler circles away and we're back to standing.

Vargas shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Ribbler is trying to defend but Vargas finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Ribbler tries to get to full guard but Vargas has control of the leg.
Ribbler controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Vargas works his foot free and advances to mount.
Ribbler is trying desperately to improve position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vargas looking to control but Ribbler is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Vargas content just to control the position here.
Vargas tries to control but Ribbler wriggling away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ribbler is looking to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johny Vargas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get 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.

Vargas throws a right and a left that Ribbler avoids nicely.
Ribbler jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ribbler slips under a jab from Vargas.
Ribbler was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Vargas moves away from the strike by Ribbler.
Vargas misses with a combination
and Ribbler counters with a left to the body.
A swing and a miss from Ribbler.
Ribbler keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Vargas avoids the body shot from Ribbler.
Vargas swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Ribbler counters with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vargas throws a combination that misses
and Ribbler counters with a straight right hand.

Vargas is rocked!
Vargas tries to bum rush Ribbler with a series of wild strikes but Ribbler uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Vargas is still on wobbly legs! Can Ribbler finish him?
Ibbe Ribbler is winning the standup battle so far.
Ribbler throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Vargas seems to have recovered his senses.
Vargas shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ribbler as he avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vargas fails to land the takedown.
Vargas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Vargas fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ribbler avoids it really well and circles away.
Ibbe Ribbler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johny Vargas.
Ribbler throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Vargas looks to land a combination but Ribbler avoids it well.
A quick step to the side and Ribbler tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Vargas just misses with a punch to the body.
The fighters circling - Ribbler throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ribbler steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Vargas.

Ribbler tries to sprawl but Vargas drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Ribbler is trying to control but can't.
Ribbler slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Ibbe Ribbler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ribbler is pulling down on Vargas's head to control his posture.
Ribbler has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Vargas has passed into side control.
Vargas wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ribbler keeps working.
Ribbler is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ribbler is trying to control Vargas's posture but Vargas avoids it.
Vargas controls the position.
Ribbler pushes Vargas away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Vargas gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

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.
Ribbler can't do much from the bottom here.
Vargas taking a break here but Ribbler is having none of it and regains half guard.
Ribbler is not content to let Vargas control the position.
Ribbler is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vargas misses with a combination
and Ribbler cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

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 Ibbe Ribbler.
I think Vargas has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:28
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29

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