PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Scott Roper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tommy Riordan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Roper
vs
Riordan

182 cm
25
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

178 cm
20
180 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Scott Roper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tommy Riordan!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Roper tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Roper throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Roper fails to land with a series of punches.
Roper throws a right hand that Riordan ducks under and follows up with a left that Riordan also avoids with ease.
Riordan wants to clinch.
Roper leaves Riordan with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Riordan misses with a kick to the body.
Riordan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Roper moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Roper cracks a nice hook into Riordan's ribs.
Nice takedown defense from Roper. No joy for Riordan on that attempt.
Roper gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Riordan shoots in looking for a takedown. Roper tries to sprawl out of it but Riordan keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Roper manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Scott Roper has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tommy Riordan.
Roper slaps away a takedown attempt from Riordan, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Roper fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roper throws a leg kick but Riordan moved away.
Roper throws a half hearted mid kick.
Roper throws a series of punches but Riordan moves out of range.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Riordan is defended easily by Roper.
A jab from Roper does it's job there.
Roper throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Riordan.
Riordan fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Riordan lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Roper circles away quickly and effectively.
Roper throws a series of punches but Riordan moves out of range.
Roper displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Riordan.
Scott Roper is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Riordan stalks Roper and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Roper's face. Roper staggers backwards, shaken.
Riordan takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Roper moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riordan checks the leg kick nicely there.
Riordan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Roper throws a half hearted mid kick.
Roper avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Roper throws a nice looking combination but Riordan bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Riordan throws a right and a left that Roper avoids nicely.
A punch combination from Roper misses.
Roper throws a one two combo.
Riordan shoots in but no luck this time.
Riordan looks gassed!
A head kick misses from Roper.

Riordan manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Roper on his heels. He'll look to pass Roper's guard now, I'm sure.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Riordan wants to pass the guard but Roper is keeping the position.
Roper is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Riordan is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tommy Riordan has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
No luck for Riordan with that takedown attempt.
Roper misses with a few strikes there.
Riordan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Riordan misses with a wild body shot.
No joy there for Riordan, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Riordan is looking to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riordan shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Roper sprawls well. Roper wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Riordan gets slowly back to his feet.
Riordan fails with an attempt to clinch.
Riordan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Roper.
Roper throws a right and a left that Riordan avoids nicely.
Roper misses with a body shot.
Roper keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Riordan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Roper manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Roper throws a right and a left that Riordan avoids nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Riordan dives in and grabs Roper's left leg, looking for a takedown. Roper pushes down on Riordan's head and hops out.
Roper throws a series of punches but Riordan avoids them all with ease.
Roper throws a nice looking combination but Riordan bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Riordan fails in his attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Scott Roper will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Riordan avoids a punch combination nicely.
Roper stuffs the takedown attempt from Riordan. Riordan gets slowly back to his feet.
Roper looks to land a body kick but Riordan moved away.
Some wild striking there from Roper.
Riordan shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Roper as he avoids it easily.
Roper throws a right hand that Riordan ducks under and follows up with a left that Riordan also avoids with ease.
Horrible takedown by Riordan or perhaps it was just good defense by Roper which made him look bad.
Scott Roper has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tommy Riordan.
Riordan takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
No joy there for Roper, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Roper rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Riordan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Roper just misses with a punch to the body.
Roper throws a sloppy head kick and Riordan moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roper fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Riordan manages to avoid it.
Horrible takedown by Riordan or perhaps it was just good defense by Roper which made him look bad.
Roper keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
No joy there for Roper, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Roper looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Riordan blocks a head kick by Roper.
A nice combination there by Roper.
Sloppy strikes from Roper. Those never looked like landing.
Riordan fails with a takedown attempt.
Roper keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Riordan is breathing heavily.
Roper throws a right and a left that Riordan avoids nicely.
Scott Roper is winning the standup battle so far.
Riordan misses with a takedown attempt - Roper sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roper misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Roper misses with a combination
and Riordan counters with a two punch combo.
Roper thuds a left hand into Riordan's body.
Riordan takes one to the chin there.
Roper with a hook.
Riordan shoots in looking for a takedown. Roper tries to sprawl out of it but Riordan keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Roper manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Roper misses with a double jab.
Riordan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Roper's waist but Roper gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Riordan off to one side.
Roper throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Riordan dives in and grabs Roper's left leg, looking for a takedown. Roper pushes down on Riordan's head and hops out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roper pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Riordan back to the cage. Roper follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Roper lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Roper's jab looks to have found its range, popping Riordan under the eye.
Riordan shoots for a double leg takedown but Roper sprawls well. He's pushed Riordan's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Riordan looks to score with a jab to the body but Roper is just out of range.
Roper swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Roper swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Roper tries to bum rush Riordan with a series of wild strikes but Riordan uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Roper rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Riordan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Roper throws a head kick that misses.
Roper throws a body punch but Riordan moves out of range.
Riordan tries to clinch but Roper moves out of range.
Roper misses with a body shot.
Riordan shoots in for a takedown but Roper shows good takedown defense.
Roper dips to his left and cracks Riordan with an uppercut!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riordan lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Roper circles away quickly and effectively.
Roper is looking to wear down Riordan with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Riordan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Roper.

Riordan rushes Roper and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Riordan tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Riordan wants a takedown but no success here.
Riordan is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Roper gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Riordan.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Roper escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Scott Roper dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Roper lands with a nice combination. Riordan backs away looking to recover.
Riordan misses with a series of wild punches.
A punch combination from Roper misses.
Riordan looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Riordan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Roper.
Riordan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Roper sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Riordan slips a jab and a cross from Roper.
Roper throws a low kick, looking for Riordan's leg but Riordan calmly moves out of range.
Roper misses with a head kick.
A combination from Roper does no damage.
Scott Roper is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Riordan looks for a takedown but Roper sprawls well.
Scott Roper has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tommy Riordan.
Riordan is looking to clinch.
Roper throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Riordan.
Riordan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Roper.
Riordan moves in looking to clinch but Roper pushes him off.
Riordan shoots in for a takedown but Roper shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Roper throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Riordan.
Roper looks to land a combination but Riordan avoids it well.
Riordan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Roper manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Roper is looking to land body kicks.
Riordan avoids the head kick by Roper.
Riordan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Roper blocks the body kick.
Riordan tries to score a power double leg takedown but Roper sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Riordan somewhat.
Riordan takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riordan shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Roper defends it nicely.
Nice straight punches there by Roper. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Roper.
Riordan avoids a punch combination nicely.
Roper lands a jab-cross combination.
Riordan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Riordan closes the distance and clinches up with Roper, looking for a takedown. Riordan pushes Roper against the cage but Roper circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Roper lands a jab-cross combination.
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!
Roper misses with a two punch combination.
Roper will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A combination from Roper does no damage.
Roper moves out of range of the body kick.
Tommy Riordan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riordan changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Roper tries to avoid it but Riordan manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Roper to the ground. Roper escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Roper slips a jab and a cross from Riordan.
Riordan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Roper.
Roper scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Riordan takes a kick to the side of the head.
Roper scores with a one two! Riordan had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Riordan tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Roper swivels and escapes.
Riordan avoids a punch combination nicely.
Roper lands a nice shot that snaps Riordan's head back.
A slow jab from Roper misses its intended target.
Roper slips a jab and a cross from Riordan.
Roper throws a series of punches but Riordan moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riordan wants to clinch but Roper slips to the side
and Roper counters with a series of strikes. Riordan will be more careful next time no doubt.
Roper looks to land a combination. Riordan sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Riordan drives through and clinches with Roper against the cage.
Riordan is trying to pull guard but Roper has him pressed against the cage.
Riordan goes for a takedown attempt but Roper pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
A combination from Roper does no damage.
Roper scores with a three punch combo!
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Roper throws a combination that misses

and Riordan moves into the clinch.
Riordan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Scott Roper is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Riordan misses with an elbow over the top.

And that's the end of the fight!
Scott Roper showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Roper, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Scott Roper!