PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Diego Riquelme (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pedro The Sith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Riquelme
vs
The Sith

175 cm
18
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

182 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite 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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Diego Riquelme!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Pedro The Sith!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Alexandre Firmino and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Riquelme tries to close the distance and clinch but The Sith swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Riquelme slaps away a takedown attempt from The Sith, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Riquelme leaves The Sith with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
The Sith throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Riquelme's waist but Riquelme gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing The Sith off to one side.
Diego Riquelme has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pedro The Sith.
Riquelme tries to clinch but The Sith is having none of it.
Riquelme moves in looking to clinch but The Sith pushes him off.
The Sith shoots in looking for a takedown. Riquelme tries to sprawl out of it but The Sith keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Riquelme manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
The Sith looks gassed!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from The Sith.
The Sith drops his hands momentarily and Riquelme takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Riquelme is looking to clinch but The Sith is avoiding it.

Riquelme clinches with his opponent.

Riquelme breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The Sith shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Riquelme as he avoids it easily.
Riquelme moves in looking to clinch but The Sith pushes him off.
Riquelme tries to clinch but The Sith is having none of it.

Riquelme moves into range and clinches up with The Sith.
Riquelme unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Riquelme crunches a lovely knee into The Sith's ribcage.
Riquelme with a knee to the head.
Riquelme tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and The Sith avoids it.
Riquelme landing knees to the body.
Knees to the body from Riquelme.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Riquelme working hard to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Sith goes for a takedown attempt but Riquelme pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Riquelme fails with an attempt to clinch.
The Sith takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Riquelme tries to clinch but The Sith moves out of range.
Riquelme wants to clinch up but The Sith keeps it at a distance.
Riquelme moves in looking to clinch but The Sith pushes him off.
Riquelme tries to clinch but The Sith is having none of it.
Riquelme fails with an attempt to clinch.
The Sith keeps the fight on the outside.
The fight stays on the outside here - Riquelme looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Riquelme is looking to clinch but The Sith is avoiding it.
The Sith avoids the head kick by Riquelme.
Riquelme lands a high kick!

Riquelme forces The Sith back against the cage and clinches.

Riquelme escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The Sith circles away from the clinch attempt.
The Sith drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
The Sith swats away the attempt to clinch by Riquelme.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Riquelme closes the distance and clinches.
Riquelme utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
The Sith tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
The Sith has had enough of the clinch but Riquelme keeps him there for the moment.
Riquelme tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and The Sith avoids it.
Riquelme throws a knee to the head but misses.
Riquelme utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Riquelme is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. The Sith is defending well for now.

The Sith lands a takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

The Sith drops back looking for a leg! Riquelme is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Riquelme manages to kick The Sith off! The Sith jumps back into Riquelme's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The Sith thows a big elbow that misses.

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

The Sith drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and The Sith jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

The Sith thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Riquelme wants to get back to his feet but The Sith is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
The Sith shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Riquelme as he avoids it easily.

Riquelme rushes The Sith and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Riquelme is trying to force a seperation but The Sith has the dominant position.
Riquelme is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
The Sith drops down looking for an ankle pick but Riquelme pulls his leg out and moves away.

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.
Riquelme wants to clinch.
The Sith fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Riquelme pushes The Sith up against the cage in a clinch.
Riquelme utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
The Sith is trying to break the clinch but Riquelme has him pressed against the cage.
Riquelme lands a knee to the body.

The Sith turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Riquelme knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for The Sith on the ground.

The Sith is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Riquelme is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The Sith lands a nice forearm strike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Riquelme is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, The Sith asserts his dominance and retains side control.

The Sith wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Riquelme, who protects the arm well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Riquelme dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Riquelme is looking to clinch but The Sith is avoiding it.
Riquelme throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
The Sith shoots in for a takedown but Riquelme shows good takedown defense.
Riquelme throws a nice outside leg kick.
Riquelme swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by The Sith.
Riquelme tries to clinch up.
Diego Riquelme seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Riquelme tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The Sith swats away the attempt to clinch by Riquelme.
The Sith circles away from the clinch attempt.
The Sith circles away from the clinch attempt.
Riquelme tries to clinch up.
Riquelme is looking to clinch but The Sith is avoiding it.
Nice takedown defense from Riquelme. No joy for The Sith on that attempt.

Riquelme forces The Sith back against the cage and clinches.
Riquelme using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

The Sith manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

The Sith working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Riquelme doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Riquelme manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Sith looking for a sweep. Not yet The Sith, not yet.
The Sith thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
The Sith is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The Sith working for a triangle but Riquelme defends it easily.

The Sith is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

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.
Riquelme trying to stand up but can't free himself from The Sith's guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
The Sith throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

The Sith gets a takedown into half guard.

The Sith is looking for a kimura but Riquelme is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for The Sith to get the leverage.
Riquelme pushes The Sith off but The Sith dives into side control.
Riquelme is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

The Sith tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no The Sith has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

The Sith is trying to get an arm triangle but Riquelme is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The Sith wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Riquelme, who protects the arm well.
Riquelme wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

The Sith is trying to get an arm triangle but Riquelme is defending well.

The Sith tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

The Sith is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Riquelme knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Riquelme is trying to buck The Sith off.

The Sith tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

The Sith thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The Sith prevents Riquelme from escaping the position.

The Sith is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Riquelme knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pedro The Sith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Riquelme is looking to clinch but The Sith is avoiding it.

Riquelme pushes The Sith up against the cage in a clinch.

The Sith is trying to trip Riquelme. He has hold of a leg but Riquelme is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. The Sith persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Riquelme is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst The Sith is controlling him.

The Sith thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Riquelme wants to get back to his feet but The Sith is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The Sith thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

The Sith drops back looking for a leg! Riquelme is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Riquelme manages to kick The Sith off! The Sith jumps back into Riquelme's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Riquelme is looking to stand up but The Sith isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The Sith thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

The Sith drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and The Sith jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Riquelme throws a front kick that sends The Sith stumbling back into the cage.
Riquelme scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
The Sith tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Riquelme swivels and escapes.
The Sith swats away the attempt to clinch by Riquelme.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from The Sith is defended easily by Riquelme.
Nice sprawl there from Riquelme as The Sith shoots in.
Diego Riquelme has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pedro The Sith.
Riquelme tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but The Sith paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The Sith swats away the attempt to clinch by Riquelme.
Riquelme lands with a slapping head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riquelme lands a two punch combo.
No luck for The Sith with that takedown attempt.
The Sith has a takedown stuffed.
Riquelme doesn't manage to clinch there - The Sith circles away.
Riquelme tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The Sith fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Riquelme avoids it really well and circles away.
Riquelme tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but The Sith paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The Sith shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Riquelme pinned against the cage. Riquelme gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
The Sith keeps the fight on the outside.
Diego Riquelme is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Riquelme tries to clinch but The Sith is having none of it.

Riquelme drives through and clinches with The Sith against the cage.
Riquelme tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and The Sith avoids it.
The Sith has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Riquelme avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riquelme tries a knee to the head but The Sith blocks it.
The Sith throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Riquelme prevents a takedown attempt there.
The Sith is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Riquelme pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Riquelme putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has The Sith in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
The Sith is leaning against Riquelme and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
The Sith lands with a short punch from the clinch.
The Sith tries for a takedown but Riquelme manages to get underhooks.
The Sith gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Riquelme.
The Sith is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Riquelme pulls him back up using the underhooks.
The Sith jumps guard but Riquelme stands there with The Sith around his waist. The Sith gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
The Sith changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Riquelme fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Riquelme connects with a high kick.
Riquelme turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Riquelme moves in looking to clinch but The Sith pushes him off.
The Sith tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Riquelme swivels and escapes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riquelme lands a jab.
Riquelme showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from The Sith.
Nice takedown defense from Riquelme. No joy for The Sith on that attempt.
Riquelme tries to clinch but The Sith moves out of range.
The Sith changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Riquelme tries to avoid it but The Sith manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Riquelme to the ground. Riquelme escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Riquelme feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to The Sith's calf.

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

The Sith is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Riquelme defends it well.

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

The Sith seems to be looking for submissions.
Riquelme wants to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Diego Riquelme.
I think Riquelme has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Diego Riquelme!