PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Daniel Roth (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dominick Rivaldi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Roth might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Shawn Michaels - Sexy Boy. Rivaldi has chosen Joker's Wild as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Roth
vs
Rivaldi

181 cm
30
183 lbs
17 - 8 - 1

180 cm
35
178 lbs
24 - 10 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 8 - 1, fighting out of New York, Daniel Roth!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Dominick Rivaldi!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Luis Engracia and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Roth looks to score with a jab to the body but Rivaldi is just out of range.
Roth throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Rivaldi stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Roth tries to clinch up
and Rivaldi counters with a low kick, right behind Roth 's knee.
Rivaldi scores with a shot to the body.
Roth misses with a leg kick.
Roth closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rivaldi circles away.
Roth looks to score with a jab to the body but Rivaldi is just out of range.
Rivaldi throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rivaldi shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Daniel Roth seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rivaldi throws a leg kick but Roth sees it coming and moves out of range.
Roth is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Rivaldi does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
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!
Nice shot lands for Roth.
A lazy left from Roth finds it's target.
Rivaldi pivots, looking for a leg kick but Roth is out of range and Rivaldi settles back down.
Rivaldi scoring well with a low kick there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Roth throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Rivaldi tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Roth is in Rivaldi's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Roth throws a big elbow that misses.
Rivaldi looking for a sweep. Not yet Rivaldi, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rivaldi pulls Roth in to control the position.
Rivaldi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Roth.
Roth throws a big right hand that misses.
Rivaldi wants to sweep but no luck.
Rivaldi keeping moving, preventing Roth from controlling successfully.
Rivaldi is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Roth is controlling him.
Roth in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rivaldi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roth postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Rivaldi keeping moving, preventing Roth from controlling successfully.
Rivaldi wants to stand but Roth is controlling the position.
Rivaldi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Roth is one step ahead there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Roth postures up.
Roth loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rivaldi looking for a sweep. Not yet Rivaldi, not yet.
Rivaldi is looking to stand back up but Roth counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Rivaldi.
Roth thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roth working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Rivaldi is trying to stand.
Ground and pound from Roth.
Roth moves nicely into side control.
Roth cracks Rivaldi with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Roth working the ground and pound from side control.
Rivaldi tries to buck Roth off but Roth is having none of it.
Rivaldi is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Roth 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.
Rivaldi managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Roth.
Roth scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Rivaldi to see if he's OK.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Roth working away.
Roth lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivaldi is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Roth's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Rivaldi taking some punishment here, with Roth in his half guard.
Rivaldi is trying to stand up here but Roth is controlling him well.
Roth trying to mount his opponent but Rivaldi defends it.
Roth works his way into side control.
Roth misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Rivaldi parries the strikes from Roth easily there. Roth is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Rivaldi to escape.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Roth throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Rivaldi is looking to reverse the position.

Roth is trying to get an arm triangle but Rivaldi is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Roth dominated that round.
That's time! Roth's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Roth tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rivaldi was well out of range. Poor timing from Roth.
Rivaldi blocks a low kick nicely.
Rivaldi lands with a right hand.
Roth is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Roth gets a double leg takedown into Rivaldi's guard.
Rivaldi wants to stand and escape but Roth is having none of it.
Roth landing some decent shots from guard.
Rivaldi seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Rivaldi wants to get back to his feet but Roth is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Rivaldi 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivaldi wants to stand and escape but Roth is having none of it.
Roth trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Roth postures up in Rivaldi's guard and throws a big left but Rivaldi blocks it.
Rivaldi wants to stand but Roth is controlling the position.
Roth throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rivaldi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rivaldi manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Roth tries to hold on but Rivaldi pushes him away.
Roth is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rivaldi stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Roth scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Roth tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rivaldi was well out of range. Poor timing from Roth.
Some wild striking there from Roth.
Roth misses with a shot to the body
and Rivaldi counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Roth is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Roth tries to land a front kick but Rivaldi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Roth tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rivaldi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rivaldi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Roth. Rivaldi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Roth tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rivaldi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Roth somewhat.
Roth misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roth throws a body punch but Rivaldi moves out of range.

Roth throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Rivaldi was covering up waiting for the punch and Roth finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Rivaldi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Roth lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Roth engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Roth stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rivaldi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Roth throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivaldi pulls Roth in close to prevent any damage.
Rivaldi keeping moving, preventing Roth from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Rivaldi scores with a three punch combo!

It looks like Daniel Roth has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Roth checks the leg kick.
Rivaldi misses with a body kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Roth scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Rivaldi doesn't seem bothered though.
Roth is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rivaldi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Roth shoots in for a double leg but Rivaldi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daniel Roth. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Roth with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rivaldi counters with a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Daniel Roth will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Daniel Roth's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Rivaldi moves into range and clinches up with Roth.
The referee is keeping an eye on Roth - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Rivaldi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Roth's elbow.
A short uppercut from Rivaldi.
Rivaldi can't find room to land a body shot as Roth controls the action.
Roth lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Roth tries to pull guard but Rivaldi holds him up against the cage and eventually Roth drops back down to his feet.
Roth missing with knees to the body.
Rivaldi has a couple of punches blocked by Roth.
Roth struggles to land a body shot inside as Rivaldi controls his hands.
Rivaldi misses with a body punch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Roth.
Rivaldi struggles to land a body shot inside as Roth controls his hands.
Rivaldi can't find room to land a body shot as Roth controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roth blocks a body shot from Rivaldi.
Roth's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Roth struggles to land a body shot inside as Rivaldi controls his hands.
Rivaldi blocks an elbow strike from Roth.
Rivaldi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Roth's elbow.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Rivaldi as Roth tries to tie him up.
Rivaldi working hard to break the clinch.
Roth tries to land a knee to the head but Rivaldi blocks with his arms.
Roth goes for a takedown attempt but Rivaldi pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Roth takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Roth shoots in looking for a takedown but Rivaldi manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Roth's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daniel Roth. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivaldi looks for the body kick but Roth saw that one coming.
Roth digs a good hook to Rivaldi's body.
Roth lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Roth.
Rivaldi throws a quick inside leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rivaldi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Roth.
Rivaldi delivers a nice body kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Roth swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Roth throws a half hearted mid kick.
Nice takedown defense from Rivaldi. No joy for Roth on that attempt.
Roth falls off balance throwing a combination
and Rivaldi counters with a stiff right hand.
Roth on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Rivaldi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Roth.
Rivaldi takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Dominick Rivaldi seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roth misses with a series of wild punches.
Rivaldi is looking to land body kicks.
Rivaldi throws a front kick aimed at Roth's knee but Roth avoids it well.
Rivaldi throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Roth misses with a kick to the body
and Rivaldi counters with a nice uppercut.
Roth checks a leg kick.
Roth sizes up Rivaldi with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Roth is looking to clinch.
Rivaldi is looking to land body kicks.
Roth is looking to wear down Rivaldi with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Rivaldi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Roth.
Roth throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rivaldi on the side of the head.
The fighters circling - Rivaldi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivaldi is looking to score with low kicks.

Roth fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Rivaldi sprawls well initially but Roth persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Roth sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rivaldi defending well though.
Rivaldi is trying to stand up here but Roth is controlling him well.
Roth is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rivaldi looks like he's trying to stand up.
Roth drops an elbow to the side of Rivaldi's head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Roth not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Rivaldi has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Roth is working away from the top position though.
Roth wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rivaldi keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Dominick Rivaldi just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Daniel Roth's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rivaldi throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Roth throws a combination. Rivaldi tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Roth looks to score with a jab to the body but Rivaldi is just out of range.
Rivaldi will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Roth tries for a takedown but Rivaldi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Roth shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Rivaldi manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Rivaldi wants to stand and escape but Roth is having none of it.
Roth postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Roth in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Roth throws a big elbow that misses.
Rivaldi 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roth stops Rivaldi from standing up.
Roth throws a big elbow that misses.
Rivaldi has control of Roth's left arm, preventing Roth from doing any damage.
Roth postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Rivaldi seems keen to control Roth's posture.
Roth in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivaldi is controlling Roth's posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Dominick Rivaldi.
Roth keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Roth avoids the head kick by Rivaldi.
Roth connects with a body shot.
Rivaldi throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

Rivaldi has closed the distance and engaged Roth in a clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Rivaldi.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rivaldi misses with a body punch.
Roth leaning his opponent against the cage.
Rivaldi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivaldi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Roth blocks a body shot from Rivaldi.
Roth tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Roth looking to throw knees to the head but Rivaldi is blocking nicely.
Rivaldi throws a head punch that misses.
Roth trying to stall but Rivaldi improves his position.
Rivaldi tries to work over Roth's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Roth makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Rivaldi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rivaldi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Roth fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Roth controlling the action here for a moment.
Rivaldi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Roth prevents a body shot from Rivaldi.

Roth has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Rivaldi is trying to keep an underhook but Roth manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Rivaldi wants to get back to his feet.
Roth thows a huge punch but Rivaldi dodges it nicely.
Roth working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rivaldi is looking to control Roth's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Rivaldi avoid being mounted?
Rivaldi is trying to stand back up but Roth is controlling him
Rivaldi is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rivaldi taking some punishment here, with Roth in his half guard.
Roth trying to advance position but Rivaldi counters by regaining guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Roth had his way with Dominick Rivaldi in that round.
The cut man is working on Daniel Roth's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Rivaldi needs to keep his hands up - Roth had a free shot at his head there.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rivaldi. That's going to slow Roth down.
Roth with a nice cross.
Roth's jab looks to have found its range, popping Rivaldi under the eye.
Rivaldi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Roth.
Roth scores with a jab to the body.
Rivaldi leaves Roth with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rivaldi swats away the attempt to clinch by Roth.
Rivaldi throws a big shot that misses.
Rivaldi throws a low kick but Roth moves out of range easily.
Roth misses with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roth throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rivaldi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Roth takes a swing at Rivaldi's ribcage but misses.
Roth lands a right hook to the body.
Roth moves out of range of the body kick.
Rivaldi throws a body kick that misses.
Roth throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Roth throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Roth gets a clinch.
Roth trying to land knees to the body.
Rivaldi lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Roth.

Rivaldi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Roth shoots in for a takedown but Rivaldi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nice sprawl there from Rivaldi as Roth shoots in.
Dominick Rivaldi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daniel Roth. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivaldi scores with a leg kick.
Rivaldi throws a push kick but Roth slaps the foot to one side.
Roth swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Rivaldi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Roth swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rivaldi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Rivaldi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Rivaldi pushes Roth away with a front kick.
Rivaldi throws a wild body kick that Roth sees coming a mile off.
Rivaldi fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Roth has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Roth misses with an attempted mid kick.
Roth moves out of range of the strikes.
Rivaldi lands a nice looking kick to the body. Roth takes a step back to recover.
Roth misses with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivaldi avoids the body shot from Roth.
Rivaldi throws out a leg kick but Roth moves out of range and Rivaldi only half commits.
Roth tries to land a leg kick but Rivaldi saw it coming and moves away.
Roth misses with a body shot.
Roth tries to clinch up.
Rivaldi takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Roth throws a body punch but Rivaldi moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Roth. Rivaldi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rivaldi slips under a jab.
Rivaldi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Roth doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Rivaldi scores with a kick to the body.
Dominick Rivaldi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivaldi lands with a kick to the temple. Roth shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Rivaldi takes one on the button.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Roth will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Roth shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Roth. Rivaldi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Roth misses with a hook. Rivaldi ducked under it nicely.
Roth connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Roth ducks under a wild hook from Rivaldi.
Roth swings for the body but Rivaldi moves out of range.

Rivaldi gets caught flat footed, as Roth shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Roth throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rivaldi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Roth throwing strikes from guard but Rivaldi blocks nicely.
Daniel Roth is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Dominick Rivaldi.
I think Roth has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 48:47
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 49:47
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Daniel Roth!
Daniel Roth retains his welterweight title!
Daniel Roth bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.