PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kuol Riak (ranked 3127 p4p, 4380 weight class) and Pepetinho Perez (ranked 312 p4p, 386 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Riak might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Let's Twist Again by Chubby Checker. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Riak
vs
Perez

170 cm
25
150
3 - 1 - 0

172 cm
25
153
2 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Bondi MMA

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 3 - 1 - 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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Pepetinho Perez!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Russell Pearce and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Perez enables Riak to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Perez manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Riak pushing down on Perez's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Riak slows the pace down in half guard.

Riak wants to work for an arm triangle but Perez is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Riak is looking for a kimura but Perez is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Riak to get the leverage.
Riak passes to side control.
Riak advances to full mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Riak trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Perez tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riak tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Riak has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Perez is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Perez stops Riak from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.

Riak with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Perez prevents Riak from taking his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Riak wants to control the pace but Perez is squirming around nicely.
Perez wants to try and get back to his feet.
Perez is in all sorts of trouble here.
Riak wants to take Perez's back here but Perez is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
Perez sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Riak is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Riak wants to pass the guard but Perez is defending well.
Perez is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Riak seems to be looking for submissions.
Riak is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Riak takes Perez's back.

Riak is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Perez defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Riak has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Perez just trying to survive but Riak is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Riak is working for the choke. He's slipped one arm under the chin. Perez has to defend the other arm for all he's worth... but Riak has managed to get that arm free too and he's tightening the choke! Perez taps out and looks absolutely disgusted with himself. Riak doesn't care though - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:26 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Kuol Riak!
Kuol Riak very nearly forgot to thank Bondi MMA amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.