PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Koss Rivers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and JP Romero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Romero is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: The Stooges- The Passenger. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Rivers
vs
Romero

168 cm
21
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
23
159 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Enjoys gardening

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 Hilo, Koss Rivers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, JP Romero!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rivers is trying hard to land a takedown here. Romero sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rivers.

Romero decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Still in half guard, Romero seems content to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The ref stands the fighters back up. JP Romero was stalling too much, according to the referee.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Romero.
Rivers lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Romero displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rivers.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Koss Rivers. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rivers shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Romero but Romero pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romero shoots for a takedown but Rivers saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Romero closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rivers circles away.

Rivers moves into the clinch successfully.

Rivers breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Romero.
Romero slaps away a takedown attempt from Rivers, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Romero shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Romero shoots in looking for a takedown. Rivers tries to sprawl out of it but Romero keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rivers manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
JP Romero seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Romero shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Rivers napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Romero happy to just control the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivers is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rivers wants to control but Romero postures up.
Romero happy to just control the position for now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rivers is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Romero is controlling him well.
Romero staying calm.
A control attempt from Rivers but he's now mounted!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romero connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Romero controlling the pace for now.
Rivers regains half guard.
Romero keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Rivers scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Romero manages to mount him!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Romero tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Romero's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Rivers really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rivers looks for a takedown but Romero sprawls well.
Rivers tries to clinch up but Romero circles away and keeps his distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Romero.
Romero takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Rivers drives through and clinches with Romero against the cage.

Rivers escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rivers shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Romero defends it nicely.
Romero shoots in and drives through. Rivers sprawls well.
Nice takedown defense from Rivers. No joy for Romero on that attempt.
Koss Rivers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of JP Romero.
Rivers stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rivers wants it to stay on the feet.
Romero throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rivers's waist but Rivers gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Romero off to one side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck for Romero with that takedown attempt.
Romero is breathing heavily.
Rivers tries to clinch but Romero moves out of range.
Rivers moves in looking to clinch but Romero pushes him off.
Rivers shoots in and drives through. Romero sprawls well.
Koss Rivers is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Romero fails to land the takedown.
Romero fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rivers shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Romero as he jumps to the side.
Rivers stuffs the takedown attempt from Romero. Romero gets slowly back to his feet.
Romero shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rivers defends it nicely.
Rivers slaps away a takedown attempt from Romero, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivers lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Romero stuffs the takedown.
Romero fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rivers fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Romero leaves Rivers with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Romero tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rivers swivels and escapes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Romero takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Rivers scores with a leg kick.
Nice body kick from Rivers.

Rivers closes the distance and clinches.
Romero wants a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rivers jumps guard and drags Romero to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Romero wants to pass the guard but Rivers is keeping the position.

Rivers is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rivers keeping moving, preventing Romero from controlling successfully.
Rivers 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.
Romero passes into half guard.
Romero passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Rivers!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Romero tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Romero avoids the attempt from Rivers to control.
Romero controlling his opponent.
Rivers is in all sorts of trouble here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Koss Rivers dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Rivers stuffs the takedown.
Rivers moves in looking to clinch but Romero pushes him off.
No luck for Rivers with that takedown attempt.
Rivers looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Koss Rivers is winning the standup battle so far.
Romero shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rivers sprawls well. Rivers wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Romero gets slowly back to his feet.
Romero looks for a takedown but Rivers sprawls well.
Koss Rivers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of JP Romero.
Romero displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rivers.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Romero.
Romero takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rivers wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivers lands with a slapping head kick.
Romero shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Romero slaps away a takedown attempt from Rivers, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Romero drives through with a takedown into guard.

Rivers throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Romero controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Rivers wants to control but Romero passes easily into half guard.
Rivers is trying to maintain the position but Romero is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romero controlling the pace.
Rivers is trying to stand back up but Romero is controlling him
Rivers trying to get back to full guard but Romero takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

Romero looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Romero controlling from the full mount.
Rivers is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Romero is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Rivers has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Rivers is looking to improve his position but Romero isn't that keen on the idea.
Rivers's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Rivers is wriggling around trying to escape.
Romero takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Rivers tries to hold on but Romero postures up.
Romero content just to control the position here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rivers is in all sorts of trouble here.

And that's the end of the fight!
JP Romero comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Romero has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... JP Romero!
After winning the bout, JP Romero thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.