PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between John Rbn (ranked 1822 p4p, 1169 weight class) and Lazuran Riku (ranked 209 p4p, 150 weight class). Lazuran Riku will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Rbn
vs
Riku

175 cm
27
157
8 - 4 - 0

175 cm
41
163
39 - 13 - 2

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Arcticus University: London

Vegan Gains

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 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Rbn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 39 - 13 - 2, fighting out of New York, Lazuran Riku!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Daniel Franklin and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rbn closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Rbn is working for takedown but Riku is calmly controlling the position for now.

Rbn has Riku pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Rbn pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Riku tumbling to the mat - Rbn dives into Riku's guard.
Rbn is looking to work some ground and pound but Riku has wrist control.
Rbn is looking to work some ground and pound but Riku has wrist control.
Rbn throwing strikes but missing.
Rbn postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rbn pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Riku is keeping the position for now.
Riku is pulling down on Rbn's head to control his posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Riku working a defensive guard here.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Riku holds on and takes a little breather.
Rbn scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rbn throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rbn has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Rbn throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Riku works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rbn trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rbn trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Riku avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rbn with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Rbn with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rbn throws an elbow that misses. Riku uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rbn's guard. Nice move by Riku!

Rbn looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Riku wants to stand but Rbn has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Rbn looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rbn is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Rbn not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riku keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Riku tries to get to full guard but Rbn has control of the leg.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rbn throwing shots but Riku is blocking nicely.
Rbn misses with a head shot. Riku uses the momentum to regain guard.
Rbn content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Rbn distracts Riku with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Rbn distracts Riku with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Riku avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rbn with a nice head shot there.
Rbn throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riku manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rbn manages to get himself to full guard.

Rbn looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Riku passes into half guard.
Rbn is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Riku's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Riku's back!
Riku is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Rbn off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Rbn struggling to land strikes to the head as Riku covers up.
Rbn is throwing shots to the body but Riku manages to wriggle free. Rbn pounces on him again and ends up in Riku's guard.
Riku utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rbn keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Riku's head.
Rbn loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rbn content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Rbn throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rbn postures up in Riku's guard and throws a big left but Riku blocks it.
Riku is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rbn throwing strikes but missing.
Riku wants to sweep but no luck.
Riku is trying to keep Rbn in close.
Rbn is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rbn with a flurry of punches that miss.
Riku avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rbn trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rbn with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Rbn 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.

Rbn tries to clinch but Riku is having none of it.
Rbn misses with a left hand
and Riku connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Rbn has closed the distance and engaged Riku in a clinch.
Rbn is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Riku lands a body shot in the clinch.
Riku misses with a punch to the body.
Rbn is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Riku can do to turn this around?
A hook to the body from Riku.
Rbn looking for a takedown.
Riku throws a head punch that misses.
Riku looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Riku breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rbn tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Riku paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Riku looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Rbn has his takedown stuffed
and Riku counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Rbn. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Riku circles away from the clinch attempt
enabling Riku to counter with a crisp jab.
John Rbn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rbn tries to clinch there but Riku circles away.
Rbn tries to close the distance and clinch but Riku swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rbn tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Riku defends well and Rbn ends up having to push Riku into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A nice side step and Riku releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Riku circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rbn darts in trying to clinch
and Riku counters with a body kick that stops Rbn in his tracks momentarily.
Rbn tries to clinch
and Riku counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rbn tries to clinch but Riku is having none of it.
Rbn wants to clinch but Riku slips to the side
and Riku counters with a nice leg kick.
Riku jabs Rbn to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Rbn tries to clinch up.
A nice side step and Riku releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

Rbn clinches.
Rbn blocks a body shot from Riku.
Riku gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rbn.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rbn has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Riku after a bit of a struggle.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rbn looking for a takedown.
Rbn tries to score a body lock takedown but Riku shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Riku gets underhooks to prevent Rbn's takedown attempt.

Riku breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Riku dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Riku avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rbn tries to clinch up but Riku circles away and keeps his distance.
Riku swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Riku ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Lazuran Riku seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rbn tries to clinch but Riku moves out of range.
Rbn gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Riku.
Riku scores with a jab. Rbn acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Riku throws a head kick that misses.
Riku fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Rbn looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Rbn looks to clinch
and Riku cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rbn wants to clinch up but Riku keeps it at a distance.
Riku appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Riku throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rbn tries to clinch there but Riku circles away.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Riku.
Riku swats away the attempt to clinch by Rbn.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rbn looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Riku flicks out a counter leg kick but Rbn steps away.
Rbn takes one on the button.
A nice leg kick lands there from Riku.
Rbn is looking to clinch but Riku is avoiding it.
Rbn doesn't manage to clinch there - Riku circles away.
Riku is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Rbn with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riku thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Rbn if he has to take too many more of those.
Rbn tries to clinch up
and Riku counters with a head kick. That will keep Rbn thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Riku scores with a jab to the body.

Rbn moves into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Riku has Rbn pressed against the cage.
Rbn is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Riku pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Riku tries to break the clinch but Rbn is controlling the position.
Rbn is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rbn tries for a takedown. No joy.
Rbn drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Riku lands a shot to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Riku.
Riku tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rbn's elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lazuran Riku showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Riku connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Rbn doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Riku counters with a nice body shot.
Rbn closes the distance looking to clinch
and Riku counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rbn shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Riku counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Rbn walks into a straight right hand from Riku.
Rbn takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Riku swats away the attempt to clinch by Rbn.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rbn looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rbn looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rbn darts in trying to clinch
and Riku counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Lazuran Riku is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rbn tries to close the distance and clinch up but Riku swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Riku avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Riku lands with a hook. Rbn tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Rbn gets a double leg takedown into Riku's guard.
Riku looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Rbn throws a strike but Riku rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Rbn is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rbn lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Riku utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rbn is looking to work some ground and pound but Riku has wrist control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rbn scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Riku has his hands on Rbn's head, controlling the position.
Rbn is looking to work some ground and pound but Riku has wrist control.
Rbn throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Riku works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rbn postures up in Riku's guard and throws a big left but Riku blocks it.
Riku pulls Rbn in close to prevent any damage.
Riku wants to get back to his feet but Rbn is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riku lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Rbn throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Rbn has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Riku is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Rbn.
Riku wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rbn keeps working.
Riku in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Rbn gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riku wants to take a breather but Rbn is having none of it.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Riku in particular looking to stall.
John Rbn overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Riku is looking to advance position but Rbn won't allow it.
Rbn wants to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Riku is trying to control. Rbn wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Riku stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Riku buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rbn tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Riku counters with a straight right hand.
Rbn is looking to clinch but Riku is avoiding it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lazuran Riku comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Riku 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:29
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lazuran Riku!
Lazuran Riku was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.