PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kuol Riak (ranked 5340 p4p, 4891 weight class) and Reginald James (ranked 432 p4p, 260 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Riak
vs
James

170 cm
25
149
0 - 0 - 0

167 cm
25
140
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kuol Riak!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Reginald James!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Anthony Taglia and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Riak as he avoids it easily.
Riak swats away the attempt to clinch by James.
Riak throws a lazy right hand but James sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Riak as James shoots in.
James shoots in but Riak avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kuol Riak has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Reginald James.

Riak drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
James is being controlled here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Riak tries to move to mount but James blocks the move with his legs.
James tries to buck Riak off but Riak is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Riak is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but James is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Riak thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
You can see the frustration on James's face as Riak controls the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Riak trying to control the action but James is working from the bottom.
Riak working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James is looking to get back to his feet here but Riak is keeping cool and he's managed to take James's back.
Riak controls the action.
James is trying to stand back up.
Even with his hooks in, Riak manages to miss with strikes from the back.
James is in bad spot here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Riak is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. James is defending well though. Riak let's go of the attempt for now.

Riak is cranking James's head sideways - that looks painful. He's managed to get his other arm under the chin and this looks bad for James! He's tightened the choke and James is tapping out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:38 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Kuol Riak!