PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jim Pounder (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mountain Rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pounder comes to the cage accompanied by Eminem-Not Afraid. Mountain Rivera has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Pounder
vs
Rivera

186 cm
32
246 lbs
23 - 15 - 0

197 cm
25
274 lbs
8 - 26 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Experienced

Good wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jim Pounder!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 26 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mountain Rivera!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Tiny Johnson and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pounder tests Rivera's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Pounder closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Rivera to the mat! Rivera manages to get full guard.
Rivera manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Pounder manages to get himself to full guard.
Pounder trying to keep a closed guard but Rivera is proving a slippery customer.

Pounder working for a triangle but Rivera defends it easily.
Pounder seems keen to control Rivera's posture.
Pounder keeping moving, preventing Rivera from controlling successfully.
Pounder throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Rivera trying to control but Pounder is working from the bottom.
Pounder avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pounder had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rivera defends it easily.
Rivera scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Rivera trying to control the position from guard on top but Pounder is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rivera must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Connects with an elbow from the bottom, proving to the judges that he's still active off his back.
Pounder is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Pounder is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rivera is aware though and is defending well.
Pounder throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Rivera throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Pounder works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rivera controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Pounder has his foot on Rivera's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rivera works his way back into a safe position though.
Rivera is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivera trying to control the position from guard on top but Pounder is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rivera throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Pounder works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Pounder looking for a guillotine here but Rivera defends easily.
Rivera is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Pounder will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Rivera is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Rivera trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Pounder 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.

Pounder looking for a guillotine here but Rivera defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivera sitting in guard here, content to control.
Rivera trying to control the position from guard on top but Pounder is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rivera missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rivera trying to control the position from guard on top but Pounder is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rivera preventing the sweep.
Pounder might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Rivera trying to control the position from guard on top but Pounder is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Mountain Rivera has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Rivera scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rivera working the head with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pounder can't do much from the bottom here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pounder is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Rivera off and has taken his back!
Pounder is not going to allow Rivera to sit and survive in this position.
Pounder is trying to stick to Rivera's back but Rivera is turning into Pounder. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Pounder's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Rivera.
Rivera trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Rivera got a little sloppy there for a moment and Pounder has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rivera has managed to get both his arms back between Pounder's legs - danger averted.
Rivera with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rivera missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rivera trying to control the position from guard on top but Pounder is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Rivera 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.

Pounder is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mountain Rivera dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Pounder shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Rivera changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Pounder looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Rivera trying to control the action but Pounder is working from the bottom.

Rivera tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Rivera has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Rivera is looking to take a break and control but Pounder is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Pounder can't do much from the bottom here.
Mountain Rivera has got the better of the ground game so far.
Pounder is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera wants to control but Pounder is keeping him busy.
Pounder prevents Rivera from improving position.
Rivera scoring with punches from side control.
Pounder parries the strikes from Rivera easily there. Rivera is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Pounder to escape.
Pounder is trying to get back to half guard.
Pounder defending against the ground and pound.
Pounder struggling a bit here.
Pounder defending against the ground and pound.
Rivera throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Rivera lands an elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivera working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Pounder gets back to half guard.

Rivera is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pounder has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rivera is working away from the top position though.
Rivera not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Rivera looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Rivera is looking for a kimura but Pounder is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rivera to get the leverage.
Nice strikes from Rivera there.
Rivera is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivera looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Pounder with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Rivera controlling the action here.
Rivera is pressing down on Pounder's thigh, looking to free his foot. Pounder is holding on for now.
Rivera is keen to just control but Pounder is a slippery customer.
Pounder trying to hold on to Rivera's head to control him but Rivera postures up.
Rivera throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Pounder wants to control but Rivera is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Pounder is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

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

Rivera is trying to work for a kimura but Pounder is defending well.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Rivera seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Pounder does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Pounder is trying to control but can't.
Rivera thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Pounder's head.
Pounder is looking for a sweep. Rivera is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Pounder looks like he's trying to stand up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rivera sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Pounder defending well though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Pounder looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Rivera working over Pounder with some ground and pound. Pounder looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mountain Rivera showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Pounder is looking to clinch but Rivera is avoiding it.
Pounder fails with a takedown attempt.

Rivera shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Rivera showed some decent athleticism there.
Pounder is not content to let Rivera control the position.
Pounder regains full guard. Nicely done.
Rivera connects with a couple of short punches.
Rivera controls from within his opponent's guard.

Pounder had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rivera defends it easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Rivera postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Pounder is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Rivera, into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pounder has gone for a leg lock! Rivera slips out almost immediately though and dives into Pounder's guard.
Rivera throwing strikes from guard but Pounder blocks nicely.
Pounder looking for a sweep. Not yet Pounder, not yet.

Pounder throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rivera missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pounder being controlled here, momentarily.
Rivera missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rivera wants to control from the top but Pounder keeps moving.
Rivera throwing strikes but missing.
Rivera in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rivera postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Rivera trying to control but Pounder is working from the bottom.
Rivera throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Pounder works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Pounder looking for a guillotine here but Rivera defends easily.
Rivera is looking to work some ground and pound but Pounder has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivera content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Pounder 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.
Pounder trying to control the position.
Rivera distracts Pounder with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Pounder working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rivera.
Rivera scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Pounder keeping moving, preventing Rivera from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivera throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Mountain Rivera is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Pounder is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rivera is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Mountain Rivera hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Rivera scores a takedown into full mount!
Pounder working to try and regain half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rivera sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Jim Pounder has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Mountain Rivera comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rivera 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mountain Rivera!