PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Darth Nihilist (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Larry Riley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Larry Riley told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Nihilist
vs
Riley

174 cm
21
135 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

165 cm
20
144 lbs
3 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

Future Pharmaceuticals (Limited Time $10)
Future Pharmaceuticals (Limited Time $10)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Darth Nihilist!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Larry Riley!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Riley finds it's way through Nihilist's defenses.
Riley misses with a looping right.
Riley lands with an uppercut that bounces Nihilist off the cage and back into rage.
Riley shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Nihilist but Nihilist pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nihilist fails with a takedown attempt.
Riley has his takedown stuffed

and Nihilist counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Riley's guard now.
Riley pulls Nihilist in close to prevent any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nihilist with a flurry of punches that miss.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Nihilist is looking to work some ground and pound but Riley has wrist control.
Riley is trying to control the position but Nihilist postures up.
Nihilist wanted to stand there but Riley had control of the position.

Nihilist drops back looking for a leg! Riley is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Riley manages to kick Nihilist off! Nihilist jumps back into Riley's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nihilist drops back looking for a leg! Riley is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Riley manages to kick Nihilist off! Nihilist jumps back into Riley's guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Riley throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Nihilist counters with a head kick. That will keep Riley thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Nihilist walks into a left hand.
Larry Riley seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A low kick from Riley misses
and Nihilist counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Riley shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Nihilist counters with a nice low kick that buckles Riley's knee momentarily.
Darth Nihilist has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Larry Riley.
Riley throws a hook to the side of Nihilist's head but Nihilist sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Riley tries to score with a low kick but Nihilist moves his leg out of the way.
Riley misses with a straight left.
Riley throws a front kick aimed at Nihilist's knee but Nihilist avoids it well.
Nihilist tries for a takedown but Riley sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Riley misses with a double jab
and Nihilist counters with a nice low kick that buckles Riley's knee momentarily.
Riley with a poor takedown

and Nihilist counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riley looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Riley controls Nihilist momentarily but Nihilist frees himself.

Nihilist is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nihilist accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Riley keeping moving, preventing Nihilist from controlling successfully.
Nihilist with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Nihilist throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Riley works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Nihilist is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Riley lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Nihilist is breathing heavily.
Riley doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Nihilist holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nihilist looking for a takedown.
Nihilist tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Riley just stands there and leans against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Riley's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Nihilist lands a left hand that snaps the head of Riley backwards.
Riley is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Nihilist fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Riley gets underhooks to prevent Nihilist's takedown attempt.
Riley wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Nihilist has him pressed against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Nihilist.

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.
Nihilist has Riley pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Riley manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Riley breaks the clinch.
Riley scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Riley throws a good cross that connects.
Riley throws a right and a left that Nihilist avoids nicely.
Riley throws a sloppy head kick

and Nihilist decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Riley's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Riley is controlling Nihilist's posture.
Riley wants to sweep here but Nihilist controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Nihilist pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Riley is keeping the position for now.
Riley wants to stand up but Nihilist is controlling him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Riley pulls Nihilist in to control the position.
Nihilist missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darth Nihilist dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nihilist throws a leg kick which misses Riley's front leg but catches the back leg as Riley tries to avoid it.
Riley scores with a hook.
Nihilist shoots for a takedown but Riley saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Riley scores with a nice strike.
Riley misses with a takedown

and Nihilist counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Riley!

Nihilist working for a guillotine from mount but Riley is in no mood to give up.
Nihilist prevents Riley from getting the reversal.

Nihilist wants to finish this one by submission but Riley is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Nihilist.
Nihilist thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Riley tries to lock up and control but Nihilist gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Nihilist is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Riley is surviving well by controlling Nihilist's body position as best he can.
Nihilist throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riley sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Nihilist is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Nihilist is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Riley has managed to free his arm - good work.
Riley is trying to stand back up but Nihilist is controlling him

Nihilist seems to be looking for submissions.
Nihilist prevents Riley from standing back up.
Riley trying to control from the bottom.
Riley wants to get back to his feet.

Nihilist is working for a kimura but Riley is defending it quite comfortably.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A low kick from Riley is predictable there

and Nihilist counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Riley is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Nihilist throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riley has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Nihilist is working away from the top position though.
Riley is staying active underneath Nihilist, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Nihilist thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Riley's head.
Riley tries to kick Nihilist off but Nihilist keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Riley is concentrating on defense, preventing Nihilist from advancing position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Nihilist throws a series of punches but Riley avoids them all with ease.
A big left from Riley misses.
Nihilist uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Riley.
Nihilist fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nihilist punishes Riley's body with a nice straight punch.
Riley misses with a looping left.
Crunch! Nihilist slams his shin into Riley's torso.
Riley throws a predictable looking body shot

so Nihilist counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nihilist trying to control the position from guard on top but Riley is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nihilist thows a big elbow that misses.
Nihilist throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Riley wants to get back to his feet but Nihilist is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Nihilist thows a big elbow that misses.

Riley is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Riley gets underhooks to prevent Nihilist's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darth Nihilist. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nihilist fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Nihilist tries to break the clinch but Riley is controlling the position.
Nihilist is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Nihilist goes for a takedown attempt but Riley pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Riley scores with a hook.
Riley with a poor takedown

and Nihilist counters with a nice double leg into side control. Riley won't be happy with that.

Nihilist is trying to get an arm triangle but Riley is defending well.

Nihilist is trying to get an arm triangle but Riley is defending well.
Riley is looking for a sweep.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Riley is not content to let Nihilist control the position.
Nihilist 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.
Riley manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darth Nihilist dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. 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.

Riley lands with a right hand.
Riley ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nihilist throws a series of punches but Riley moves out of range.
Darth Nihilist is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nihilist defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Riley.
Riley attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Nihilist keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Riley.
Nihilist fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nihilist shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Nihilist closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Riley to the mat! Riley manages to get full guard.
Riley wants to stand up but Nihilist is controlling him.
Nihilist trying to control the position from guard on top but Riley is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Riley keeping full guard, as Nihilist tries to pass.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Riley managing to control the position.
Nihilist looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riley is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Nihilist postures up and lands a big shot to Riley's brow.
Nihilist postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Riley misses with an uppercut. Nihilist saw that one coming.
Riley walks into a left hand.
Riley throws a body punch but Nihilist moves out of range.
Nihilist throws a right and a left that Riley avoids nicely.
Riley throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Riley chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Riley shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Nihilist counters with a shoot takedown. Riley fights it but they end up in guard.

Nihilist drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Nihilist jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Larry Riley has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Riley really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Nihilist. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riley wants to stand up but Nihilist is controlling him.
Nihilist lands a couple of digs.
Riley is trying to keep Nihilist in close.

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

Nihilist is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Nihilist won't allow Riley to sweep him here.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Nihilist tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Riley swivels and escapes.
Riley chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riley throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Nihilist counters with a head kick. That will keep Riley thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Nihilist shoots for a double leg takedown but Riley sprawls well. He's pushed Nihilist's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darth Nihilist. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Riley closes the distance and clinches up with Nihilist, looking for a takedown. Riley pushes Nihilist against the cage but Nihilist circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A big right from Riley misses.

Nihilist closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Riley is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Riley can't do much from the bottom here.
Nihilist creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

Nihilist thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Riley is trying to improve his position.

Nihilist working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riley sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Nihilist looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Nihilist wants to work for an arm triangle but Riley is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Riley tries to roll over but Nihilist keeps him under control.
Nihilist not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Riley is trying to get back to full guard.
Darth Nihilist is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Nihilist closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Riley did well to prevent Nihilist getting side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Darth Nihilist showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nihilist, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Darth Nihilist!