PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Joel Sands (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alan Rivers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Sands
vs
Rivers

181 cm
18
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

181 cm
25
162 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joel Sands!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Alan Rivers!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sands displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rivers throws out the jab.
Sands keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rivers throws a right hand that misses

and Sands counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Rivers is trying to maintain the position but Sands is very close to passing his half guard.
Rivers is looking to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rivers is trying to maintain the position but Sands is very close to passing his half guard.
Sands prevents Rivers from improving his position.
Sands wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rivers keeps working.

Rivers is defending against the submission attempts here by Sands.

Rivers looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivers is refusing to be controlled, as Sands sits in half guard.

Rivers actively working from the bottom here.
Rivers wants to improve his position but Sands is controlling well.
Sands is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Rivers makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rivers.

Rivers looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Sands stands up from Rivers's guard - Sands perhaps looking for a knockout.
Alan Rivers is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivers throws an overhand right that lands on Sands's shoulder, as Sands tries to avoid the shot.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Sands.
Sands wants to control but Rivers is keeping him busy.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivers is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Sands scores with a couple of nice shots.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Rivers moves into full guard.
Rivers looks gassed!
Sands throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rivers works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sands trying to control the position from guard on top but Rivers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sands sitting in guard here, content to control.
Sands throwing strikes from guard but Rivers blocks nicely.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Sands got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rivers has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sands has managed to get both his arms back between Rivers's legs - danger averted.
Sands trying to control the position from guard on top but Rivers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sands missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sands slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Joel Sands.
Rivers throws a poor cross that misses

and Sands counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Rivers's guard now.

Rivers is looking for a triangle here but Sands uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Sands slows the pace down.
Rivers is looking to reverse the position.

Sands has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joel Sands dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Rivers enables Sands to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Rivers manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Joel Sands overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Rivers has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sands can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Rivers lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Sands!

Rivers with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Sands is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Sands defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Rivers.
Rivers is breathing heavily.
Sands is trying desperately to improve position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rivers goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Sands is on top in guard.
Sands landing with the ground and pound.
Sands passes into half guard.
Sands seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Sands stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Rivers to get to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sands feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Sands decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Sands gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Sands wants the takedown. Rivers is fighting it off but Sands persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Rivers's guard against the cage.
Sands forces his way into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rivers trying to hold on to Sands's head to control him but Sands postures up.
Sands perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sands prevents Rivers from improving his position.

Rivers actively working from the bottom here.

Rivers with the active half guard here but Sands passes nicely into side control.
Sands wants to control but Rivers is keeping him busy.
Rivers tries to buck Sands off but Sands is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rivers is trying to work for a sweep but Sands has mounted him!
Rivers is working to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sands sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

Sands with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Rivers regains half guard.
Rivers wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joel Sands dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Sands tightens his grip and picks Rivers up, before dumping him to the ground. Rivers manages to land in guard.

Rivers throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Sands avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sands pushing down on Rivers's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Sands seems like he's working for an arm triangle here. He's freed his trapped foot and he's rotating nicely. Rivers is in big trouble! He's tapping out! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:03 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Joel Sands!