PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Angel Rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eugeny Lapik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Angel Rivera has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Rivera
vs
Lapik

188 cm
27
179 lbs
8 - 22 - 1

180 cm
25
170 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Determined

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 8 - 22 - 1, fighting out of New York, Angel Rivera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Eugeny Lapik!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, John Kavanagh and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rivera throws a right and a left that both miss.

Rivera instigates a clinch.

Lapik lands a takedown into guard.
Lapik trying to control but Rivera is working from the bottom.
Rivera is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Lapik trying to control the position from guard on top but Rivera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Lapik drops back, looking for a kneebar! Rivera looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Rivera looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Rivera!
Lapik gets back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera trying to control from Lapik's half guard. Lapik has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Lapik utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rivera throws a big elbow that misses.
Lapik is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Rivera throws an elbow that misses. Lapik uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rivera's guard. Nice move by Lapik!
Rivera preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Lapik working some strikes from top position.
Lapik postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lapik trying to control the position from guard on top but Rivera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rivera on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Rivera tries to get out of the position.
Lapik is working Rivera over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lapik trying to control the position from guard on top but Rivera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Lapik gets to his feet. Rivera looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Lapik changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rivera tries to avoid it but Lapik manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rivera to the ground. Rivera escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lapik shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Rivera clinches.
Rivera is working for takedown but Lapik is calmly controlling the position for now.

Lapik escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Rivera closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lapik has Rivera pressed against the cage, preventing Rivera from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lapik.
Lapik stops a takedown attempt from Rivera.
Rivera is looking to break free of the clinch but Lapik has double underhooks.

Lapik jumps guard and drags Rivera to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Lapik pulls Rivera in close to prevent any damage.
Rivera trying to control but Lapik is working from the bottom.
Rivera looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivera postures up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Rivera forces Lapik back against the cage and clinches.

Lapik breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rivera throws a right hand that Lapik ducks under and follows up with a left that Lapik also avoids with ease.
Lapik throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rivera's waist but Rivera gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lapik off to one side.
Angel Rivera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eugeny Lapik.
Lapik with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rivera makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Lapik tries to keep at a distance but Rivera has taken the fight into the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Lapik breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Eugeny Lapik will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Angel Rivera's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rivera swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Angel Rivera is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rivera stuffs the takedown attempt from Lapik. Lapik gets slowly back to his feet.
Lapik fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rivera avoids it really well and circles away.

Lapik tries to keep at a distance but Rivera has taken the fight into the clinch.

Lapik breaks from the clinch.

Rivera has Lapik up against the cage in a clinch.

Lapik works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Lapik with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rivera is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lapik thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Lapik postures up in Rivera's guard and throws a big left but Rivera blocks it.
Lapik with a nice head shot there.
Lapik working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Rivera's head.
Lapik trying to control the position from guard on top but Rivera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lapik might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Rivera kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Lapik lands a couple of digs.
Lapik landing with the ground and pound.
Lapik postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lapik stays in close to Rivera's body and controls the position.
Lapik throwing strikes from guard but Rivera blocks nicely.
Lapik wants to control from the top but Rivera keeps moving.
Lapik is stalling in the full guard.
Lapik stops Rivera from standing up.
Lapik stands up over Rivera, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lapik trying to control the position from guard on top but Rivera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Eugeny Lapik hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Rivera connects with a right hand. Lapik shakes it off.
Lapik tries for a takedown but Rivera circles away easily
and Rivera counters with a left and a right that stings Lapik.
Angel Rivera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eugeny Lapik.
Lapik throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rivera's waist but Rivera gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lapik off to one side.

Rivera forces Lapik back against the cage and clinches.
Lapik tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rivera smiles and moves away.
Lapik throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rivera's waist but Rivera gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lapik off to one side.
Lapik is breathing heavily.
Rivera swings for the body but Lapik moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivera throws a series of punches but Lapik moves out of range.
Lapik fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Lapik closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
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 is trying to stand.
Rivera blocking the ground and pound attempt from Lapik.
Rivera is looking to escape.
Lapik working Rivera over with strikes.
Rivera is trying to stand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Lapik wants to work for an arm triangle but Rivera is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Lapik is taking a breather. Rivera says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eugeny Lapik showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Angel Rivera's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Lapik tries for a takedown but Rivera sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rivera throws a nice looking combination but Lapik bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Lapik with a poor takedown
and Rivera counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Lapik has a takedown stuffed.
Angel Rivera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eugeny Lapik.
Lapik looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rivera is fending him off so far but Lapik persists. Nope, Rivera circles away and we're back to standing.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Lapik.

Lapik thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Rivera tries to escape but Lapik is in control.
Lapik fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Lapik takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera prevents Lapik from improving position.
The strikes coming from Lapik are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Lapik trying to control the action but Rivera is working from the bottom.

Lapik is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rivera has escaped the position, nice work there.
Lapik creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Rivera sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivera is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Lapik asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Lapik wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rivera keeps working.
Lapik landing strikes.
Lapik working the ground and pound.
Rivera takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Lapik passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Rivera!
Lapik lands a nice shot to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lapik lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Rivera hang on?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lapik lands a heavy elbow.
Lapik looking to finish Rivera with some ground and pound. This is bad for Rivera!

Lapik wants to finish this one by submission but Rivera is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Lapik.
Lapik lands a big shot there that rocks Rivera but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Lapik has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Lapik is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Rivera is surviving well by controlling Lapik's body position as best he can.

Lapik working for a submission but Rivera is keeping him at bay.
Eugeny Lapik is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Lapik 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.

Rivera defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Lapik.
Rivera is trying to stand up.
Angel Rivera has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lapik trying to control but he's not successful this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lapik working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Eugeny Lapik has got the better of the ground game so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rivera is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eugeny Lapik comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lapik 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eugeny Lapik!