PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Sub Hero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paulson Rios (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Hero
vs
Rios

164 cm
22
143 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

174 cm
18
142 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Hell's Balls Fightwear
Attliction

Forbidden Apple

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sub Hero!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Paulson Rios!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hero throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Rios stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Hero has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hero stalling in the clinch.

Hero turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Rios tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hero wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Hero looks up at the clock and then as Rios takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Hero smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Rios tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hero trying to control the action but Rios is working from the bottom.
Rios manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Hero misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Rios trying to pass the guard but Hero defending well.
Hero gets back to full guard.

Rios has gone for a leg lock! Hero slips out almost immediately though and dives into Rios's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hero trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hero forces his way into half guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Rios is looking to improve his position.
Hero works his way into side control.
Rios taking punishment in the form of punches.
Hero has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Rios stops Hero from passing to mount.
Hero misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
The ground and pound from Hero seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rios sneaks back into half guard.
Hero wants to stand up but Rios has a hold of him and won't allow it.

Hero is looking for a kimura but Rios is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hero to get the leverage.
Hero is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rios looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Hero trying to control the action but Rios is working from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Rios gets a takedown into half guard.

Rios is trying to work for a kimura but Hero is defending well.

Rios is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hero doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Rios.
Hero is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rios's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rios's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rios avoids the strikes from Hero.

Hero looking for the choke from the back.
Rios breaks Hero's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

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

Rios drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rios jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Hero manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Rios can't escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hero working for a submission but Rios is keeping him at bay.
Rios really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Rios is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Hero throws some wild stikes that Rios manages to avoid easily.
Rios really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Rios slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sub Hero dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hero closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Hero lands in his opponent's guard.

Rios escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hero gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Hero fending off the submission attempt from Rios.
Hero manages to reverse the position and now he's in Rios's guard. Nice work there by Hero.
Hero loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hero stands and throws Rios's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The strikes coming from Hero are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hero working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Rios is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Hero off and has taken his back!

Rios looking for the RNC.

Rios is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

Hero fending off the submission attempt from Rios.

Rios is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Hero knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Hero for a finish.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hero rolls, trying to escape but Rios keeps control of the position.
Sub Hero overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Rios has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Hero has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

Hero is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Rios tightening his grip on Hero, looking for the choke.
Hero manages to reverse the position and now he's in Rios's guard. Nice work there by Hero.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hero drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hero jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Hero pushes down on Rios's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Rios is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hero lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Rios is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Hero pulls his head out easily.
Hero works his way into full mount!
Rios really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Rios regains half guard.
Hero moves nicely into side control.
Rios gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Rios looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Hero prevents Rios from improving his position.
Hero is trying to control the action in half guard but Rios is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Paulson Rios will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rios rushes Hero and presses him up against the ropes.

Hero manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Rios works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Hero trying to hold on to Rios's head to control him but Rios postures up.

Rios seems to be working for a kimura but Hero defends the submission attempt.

Rios is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Rios trying to pass the guard but Hero defending well.

Rios seems to be working for a kimura but Hero defends the submission attempt.
Hero is looking to control Rios's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hero avoid being mounted?
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Hero looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hero looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Rios throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hero sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Hero shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Hero showed some decent athleticism there.

Hero is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rios doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Hero.
Hero wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rios keeps working.
Rios avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hero.
Rios moves into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hero stopping the sweep attempt from Rios.
Hero slips nicely into half guard.
Rios is in trouble now - Hero has advanced to mount!
Rios is trying desperately to improve position.
Hero scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Rios?
Poor strikes thrown by Hero there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Rios is trying to escape the mount.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rios wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.

Hero is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Rios defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
You can see the frustration on Rios's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Rios breaks Hero's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Rios advances to half guard.
Rios wants to pass to mount but Hero is defending the position.
Rios passes the guard and advances to mount!

Rios looking to secure an arm triangle but Hero defends it well.
Rios is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Hero is in real trouble.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rios looking for the choke but no joy.
Rios doesn't have the hooks in and Hero manages to turn into his guard.

Rios has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hero can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hero trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Rios has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hero can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Rios had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Hero is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Rios Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Hero's back instead.
Hero is trying to break free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sub Hero clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Rios has his takedown stuffed

and Hero counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Rios's guard now.
Rios is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Hero makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hero.

Rios thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Rios wants to pass the guard but Hero is keeping the position.

Hero looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rios sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Hero's guard.

Rios is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hero doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Rios.
Hero gets back to full guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rios stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hero swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Rios 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.
Rios stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hero swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Hero looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Hero keeping full guard, as Rios tries to pass.

Hero is looking for a triangle but Rios pushes his legs off easily.

Rios 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.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hero lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Rios!
Hero working the ground and pound effectively.

Hero wants to finish this one by submission but Rios is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Hero.

Hero working for a guillotine from mount but Rios is in no mood to give up.
Rios bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Hero has his foot on Rios's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rios works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hero working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rios doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rios manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hero 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.
Rios passes Hero's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Rios is looking to advance position but Hero won't allow it.

Rios seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Hero has recovered full guard.
Rios pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hero is keeping the position for now.
Rios won't allow Hero to sweep him here.
Rios stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hero swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rios sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Hero's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rios is looking for a kimura here.

Rios is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Hero defends it well.
Rios wants to free his trapped foot but Hero is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Rios looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Hero is pressing down on Rios's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sub Hero had his way with Paulson Rios in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Hero closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Hero tests Rios's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Hero shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Hero was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Rios slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Hero is pressing down on Rios's thigh, looking to free his foot. Rios is holding on for now.
Rios is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hero's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hero's back!
Rios is not going to allow Hero to sit and survive in this position.
Hero is trying to break free.

Rios is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Rios is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Hero defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Hero manages to reverse the position and now he's in Rios's guard. Nice work there by Hero.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rios manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hero manages to get himself to full guard.
Rios is pushing down on Hero's leg trying to pass to half guard. Hero is fighting to maintain full guard but Rios has managed to sneak the leg through.

Hero is defending against the submission attempts here by Rios.

Rios is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hero doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Rios.
Rios tries to pass to full mount but Hero defends it.
Hero is looking to improve his position.
Paulson Rios has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rios trying to mount his opponent but Hero defends it.
Hero gets full guard.
Rios passes Hero's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Hero manages to get to full guard.
Hero not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Rios 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.
Rios stopping the sweep attempt from Hero.
Hero bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rios's guard.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hero throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hero looking to pass the guard.
Hero trying to control but Rios is working from the bottom.

Rios working for submissions but it's allowed Hero to get to half guard.

Hero is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rios doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Hero.
Hero throwing shots but Rios is blocking nicely.

Rios actively working from the bottom here.

Hero looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rios looking for submissions off his back.
Hero wants to free his trapped foot but Rios is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Rios tries to get to full guard but Hero has control of the leg.

Rios looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Hero is keen to just control but Rios is a slippery customer.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sub Hero showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hero has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 49:46
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 49:46
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sub Hero!
Sub Hero retains his bantamweight title!