PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between joel rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and muscle speedy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

rivera
vs
speedy

179 cm
19
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

198 cm
20
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Brown 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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, joel rivera!
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, muscle speedy!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Jonathan Paton and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

speedy shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. speedy showed some decent athleticism there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
rivera pushes speedy off looking to stand but speedy dives back in and keeps control.
speedy is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

speedy seems to be looking for submissions.
rivera wants to control but speedy is keeping busy and won't allow it.

rivera is defending against the submission attempts here by speedy.

rivera is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but speedy pulls his head out easily.
speedy works his way into full mount!
rivera wants to hold on but speedy pushes him away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
speedy sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
speedy wants to control the pace but rivera is squirming around nicely.

speedy is going oldschool here, as he tries to force rivera to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so rivera shrugs it off.

speedy working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

speedy is standing up, even though he is in mount.
speedy looks gassed!

rivera gets caught flat footed, as speedy shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
rivera is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst speedy is controlling him.
rivera keeping moving, preventing speedy from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
speedy postures up.
rivera tries to strike from the bottom.
speedy slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
speedy tries to advance to mount but rivera denies him.
speedy trying to control the action but rivera is working from the bottom.
rivera prevents speedy from improving position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
rivera shoots and misses

and speedy counters with a takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
rivera is trying to control speedy's posture but speedy avoids it.
rivera is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but speedy has just dragged him back down to the mat.

speedy tries for a kimura but rivera is defending well.
rivera is trying to get back to his feet.
rivera can't do much from the bottom here.
speedy prevents rivera from escaping the position.
speedy trying to control the position but rivera is working away.
rivera tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but speedy wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's four 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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
rivera fails with the takedown

and speedy counters with a single leg into guard. rivera didn't expect that.

speedy drops back looking for a leg! rivera is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and rivera manages to kick speedy off! speedy jumps back into rivera's guard.
speedy wants to pass the guard but rivera is keeping the position.

rivera working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. speedy doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. speedy manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
rivera wants to stand but speedy is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

muscle speedy dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

rivera with a lazy takedown attempt

and speedy counters by moving into the clinch.
speedy prevents a takedown attempt there.
rivera tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. speedy smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for joel rivera. That's going to take a lot out of him.
rivera gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and speedy counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
speedy pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. rivera is keeping the position for now.
speedyis looking to pass into half guard but rivera pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now rivera is in guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
speedy is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst rivera is controlling him.
rivera wanted to stand there but speedy had control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

rivera got a little sloppy there for a moment and speedy has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, rivera has managed to get both his arms back between speedy's legs - danger averted.
rivera wants to control from the top but speedy keeps moving.
speedy wants to sweep but no luck.

speedy has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. rivera 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 speedy.

rivera decides to stand back up.
rivera shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and speedy counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
speedy wants to pass the guard but rivera is keeping the position.
rivera looking to control.
muscle speedy has got the better of the ground game so far.
rivera is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

speedy avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
rivera keeping full guard, as speedy tries to pass.
rivera trying to strike off his back.
speedy trying to control but rivera is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
rivera not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
rivera tries for a takedown but speedy circles away easily

and speedy counters with a nice double leg into side control. rivera won't be happy with that.
speedy wants to lay and pray for a moment but rivera keeps working.
speedy tries to move to full mount but rivera actually manages to regain half guard.

rivera looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
speedy uses his free foot to push down on rivera's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for rivera.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
rivera tries to hold on but speedy pushes him away.
rivera manages to regain half guard. Good work.
rivera avoiding damage under a succession of punches from speedy.
speedy works his way into side control.
rivera is trying to control speedy's posture but speedy avoids it.

speedy is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, rivera has escaped the position, nice work there.

speedy is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but rivera is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

muscle speedy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

rivera has his takedown stuffed

and speedy counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for rivera!
rivera is trying to stand.

speedy with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

speedy is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
rivera gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and speedy counters with a single leg into guard. rivera didn't expect that.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
speedy advances position into side control!
speedy tries to move to mount but rivera blocks the move with his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.

speedy looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

speedy is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but rivera is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
rivera wants to get back to his feet but speedy drags him back down.
rivera stops speedy from passing to mount.
speedy working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
rivera doesn't succeed with the takedown

and speedy counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for joel rivera. That's going to take a lot out of him.
speedy wants to control from the top but rivera keeps moving.
rivera keeping full guard, as speedy tries to pass.
rivera wants to stand up but speedy is controlling him.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
rivera is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst speedy is controlling him.
speedy is pushing down on rivera's leg trying to pass to half guard. rivera is fighting to maintain full guard but speedy has managed to sneak the leg through.
speedy works his way into full mount!
speedy tries to control but rivera wriggling away.

speedy is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but rivera is surviving well by controlling speedy's body position as best he can.

speedy has hold of rivera's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and rivera manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

speedy goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now rivera is on top in guard.
muscle speedy is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
speedy looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
rivera seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
rivera is looking to stand up but speedy won't let him.
joel rivera has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as speedy holds on and takes a little breather.

And that's the end of the fight!
muscle speedy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well speedy has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... muscle speedy!