PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kyle Van Hook (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jorge Riviera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Van Hook might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to The Cure's Close To Me. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Van Hook
vs
Riviera

170 cm
24
154 lbs
13 - 3 - 0

165 cm
22
155 lbs
11 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Conviction

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 13 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kyle Van Hook!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jorge Riviera!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, William Peck and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Van Hook is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Riviera moves out of range as Van Hook strikes.
Van Hook throws a big shot that misses.
Van Hook looks to land a right hand but Riviera moved out of range.
Van Hook dives in and grabs Riviera's left leg, looking for a takedown. Riviera pushes down on Van Hook's head and hops out.
Kyle Van Hook seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice cross by Riviera.
Riviera uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Van Hook.
Riviera changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Some wild striking there from Riviera.
Riviera takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Riviera uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Van Hook.
Riviera avoids the body shot from Van Hook.
Van Hook shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Van Hook shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kyle Van Hook. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Van Hook uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Riviera.
Van Hook thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Riviera misses.
Van Hook looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Van Hook uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Riviera.
Riviera swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Van Hook uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Riviera.
Van Hook misses with a takedown attempt - Riviera sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Van Hook waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Riviera.
Van Hook throws and low kick but Riviera moves out of range easily.
A jab from Van Hook misses.
Van Hook uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Riviera.
Van Hook displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Riviera throws out the jab.
Jorge Riviera is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Van Hook dives in and grabs Riviera's left leg, looking for a takedown. Riviera pushes down on Van Hook's head and hops out.
A telegraphed right hand from Riviera misses the target.
Riviera keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Van Hook.

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.
Riviera throws a low kick but it's checked well by Van Hook.
Riviera missing with a left hand there. Van Hook was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Van Hook shoots for a takedown but Riviera saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Riviera throws a nice looking combination but Van Hook bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Van Hook feints and as Riviera raises his hands in defense, Van Hook changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Riviera working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Van Hook.
Riviera looking to control.
Van Hook wants to control from the top but Riviera keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Riviera avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Van Hook throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Riviera works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Riviera working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Van Hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riviera pulls Van Hook in close to prevent any damage.
Riviera keeping full guard, as Van Hook tries to pass.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A telegraphed right hand from Riviera misses the target.
Riviera throws a hook to the side of Van Hook's head but Van Hook sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Van Hook misses the body punch
enabling Riviera to counter with a crisp jab.
Riviera loads up on a big right hand but Van Hook slips the punch.
Van Hook gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Riviera counters with a series of strikes. Van Hook will be more careful next time no doubt.
A low kick from Van Hook is predictable there
and Riviera counters with a straight right hand.
Van Hook displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Riviera throws out the jab.
Van Hook keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Van Hook shoots for a takedown but Riviera saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Van Hook paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Hook tries to land a leg kick but Riviera saw it coming and moves away.
Van Hook misses with a looping right.
Van Hook throws a leg kick that is checked
and Riviera cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Van Hook moves out of range as Riviera throws a body kick.
Riviera tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Van Hook was well out of range. Poor timing from Riviera.
Nice jab there from Van Hook.
Riviera defending well as Van Hook loads up on a big left hand.
Van Hook tries to clinch up but Riviera circles away and keeps his distance.
Riviera lands with a shot to the body.
Riviera connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Riviera throws a big shot that misses.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Van Hook.
Riviera misses with a straight right.
Van Hook displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Riviera throws out the jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Riviera cracks Van Hook with an open hand slap.
Van Hook shoots in looking for a takedown. Riviera tries to sprawl out of it but Van Hook keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Riviera manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Van Hook shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Riviera pinned against the cage. Riviera gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Riviera scores with a nice head shot.
Riviera jabs Van Hook right on the nose. Van Hook blinks but takes it well.
Van Hook throws a hook to the side of Riviera's head but Riviera sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Riviera might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Van Hook takes one to the chin there.
Van Hook tries to clinch up
and Riviera counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Jorge Riviera seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Riviera gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riviera looking for a sweep. Not yet Riviera, not yet.
Riviera preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Van Hook throws a big right hand that misses.
Van Hook postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Riviera trying to keep a closed guard but Van Hook is proving a slippery customer.
Van Hook is working Riviera over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Riviera is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Van Hook is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Riviera controlling the action here.
Van Hook gets full guard.
Riviera stopping the sweep attempt from Van Hook.

Van Hook is looking for a triangle here but Riviera uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Van Hook struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Hook tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Van Hook is working hard here to advance position.
Riviera controlling from side mount.
Van Hook tries to buck Riviera off but Riviera is having none of it.
Riviera wants to control but Van Hook is keeping him busy.

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.
Van Hook gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Van Hook wants to control but Riviera is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Van Hook wants to get back to full guard.
Riviera slows the pace down in half guard.
Van Hook wants to improve his position but Riviera is controlling well.
Van Hook manages to get to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jorge Riviera showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Van Hook bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A slow jab from Riviera misses its intended target.
Van Hook scores with a hook.
Riviera steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Van Hook.
Riviera scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Riviera steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Van Hook.
Van Hook moves out of range as Riviera strikes.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Van Hook.
A jab from Van Hook does it's job there.
Van Hook blocks a jab.
Riviera throws a jab when Van Hook was well out of range.
Nice uppercut lands for Riviera. That snapped Van Hook's head back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riviera drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Van Hook ducks under a wild hook from Riviera.
Van Hook looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Riviera waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Van Hook.
Van Hook with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling Riviera to counter with a crisp jab.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kyle Van Hook. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Riviera lands with a hook. Van Hook tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Van Hook on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

Van Hook throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Riviera was covering up waiting for the punch and Van Hook finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Van Hook wants to pass the guard but Riviera is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riviera controls Van Hook momentarily but Van Hook frees himself.
Van Hook loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Van Hook throwing strikes but missing.
Riviera has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Riviera is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riviera working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Van Hook.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Van Hook avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Riviera thumps Van Hook with a low kick.
Van Hook misses with a looping right.
Riviera looks to score with a jab to the body but Van Hook is just out of range.
A swing and a miss from Riviera.
Riviera blocks a leg kick.
Van Hook throws a leg kick that is checked
and Riviera counters with a series of strikes. Van Hook will be more careful next time no doubt.
Van Hook connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Van Hook looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Jorge Riviera is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Van Hook throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Riviera works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kyle Van Hook has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Hook tries to free his leg and advance position but Riviera is retaining full guard.
Van Hook is looking to work some ground and pound but Riviera has wrist control.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Van Hook accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Van Hook trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Van Hook preventing the sweep.
Riviera working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Van Hook.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Van Hook closes the distance and clinches up with Riviera, looking for a takedown. Van Hook pushes Riviera against the cage but Riviera circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jorge Riviera comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Riviera winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Peck scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jorge Riviera!