PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Matrim Cauthon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Buddie Rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rivera has chosen My Chemical Romance - I'm Not Okay (I Promise) as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Cauthon
vs
Rivera

188 cm
23
166 lbs
12 - 6 - 1

186 cm
22
191 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Fury Nutrition Inc.
Raptorz Inc.

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 1, fighting out of New York, Matrim Cauthon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Buddie Rivera!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Steve Smith and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rivera lands a jab to Cauthon's midsection.
Rivera punishes Cauthon's body with a nice straight punch.
Cauthon looks for the body kick but Rivera saw that one coming.
Rivera throws out a loose jab but Cauthon uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cauthon throws a push kick but Rivera slaps the foot to one side.
Buddie Rivera seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rivera loads up on a big right hand but Cauthon slips the punch.
Cauthon throws a leg kick which misses Rivera's front leg but catches the back leg as Rivera tries to avoid it.
Rivera throws a body punch but Cauthon moves out of range.
Cauthon throws a low kick but Rivera moves out of range easily.
Rivera scores with a jab to the jaw.
Rivera lands with a nice body punch.
Rivera's coach down at Cartel Muerte was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Rivera's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Horrible takedown attempt by Cauthon or perhaps it was just good defense by Rivera, which made it look bad.
Cauthon misses with a body kick.
Cauthon takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rivera throws a predictable looking body shot

and Cauthon counters with a shoot takedown. Rivera fights it but they end up in guard.
Cauthon loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rivera is controlling Cauthon's posture.
Cauthon throws a big elbow that misses.
Rivera is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera trying to control the position here.
Let's hope that Rivera has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Cauthon has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Buddie Rivera wasn't active enough on the ground.
Cauthon feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rivera's calf.
Rivera looks for a takedown but Cauthon sprawls well.
Rivera has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Cauthon.
Cauthon throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Rivera lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Cauthon has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Cauthon and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A shot to the liver by Rivera. Beautiful body shot.
Cauthon misses with a takedown attempt
and Rivera counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Rivera digs a good body shot into Cauthon's ribs.
Cauthon bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rivera thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Cauthon if he has to take too many more of those.
Cauthon gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Rivera counters with a nice body shot.
Cauthon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Rivera, right into the meat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rivera moves in looking to clinch but Cauthon pushes him off.
Rivera lands a body shot.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Cauthon.
Rivera avoids the head kick by Cauthon.
Jab, jab by Rivera - just one landing.
Rivera takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Rivera lands with an uppercut that bounces Cauthon off the cage and back into range.

Cauthon gets a takedown into half guard.
Rivera is trying to maintain the position but Cauthon is very close to passing his half guard.
Rivera blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cauthon.

Cauthon is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rivera defends it well.
Rivera trying to control but Cauthon postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cauthon takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Rivera is trying to get back to full guard.
Cauthon stops Rivera from getting back to his feet.
Rivera has hold of Cauthon's hands but Cauthon slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Cauthon prevents Rivera from improving his position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rivera wants to sweep but Cauthon has passed to side control!
Cauthon in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Rivera stuck in half guard on the bottom here.
Rivera dodges the ground and pound from Cauthon.
Cauthon connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Rivera some visible discomfort.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cauthon in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

Cauthon thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cauthon working away.
Cauthon grinds an elbow into Rivera's temple.
Rivera is looking to regain half guard here but Cauthon keeps moving and retains side control.
Rivera takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
You can see the frustration on Rivera's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Rivera is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Cauthon is staying active.
Cauthon cracks Rivera with a big elbow.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rivera takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Cauthon really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Cauthon trying to control the action but Rivera is working from the bottom.
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 Matrim Cauthon will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Rivera throws a series of punches but Cauthon moves out of range.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Cauthon lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Rivera has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Rivera and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A slapping body kick lands there for Cauthon.
Cauthon misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A left lands for Rivera.
Cauthon throws a sloppy head kick and Rivera moves out of range easily.
Rivera blocks a head kick by Cauthon.
Rivera looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cauthon is fending him off so far but Rivera persists. Nope, Cauthon circles away and we're back to standing.
Cauthon throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Rivera looks for a takedown but Cauthon sprawls well.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Cauthon.
A telegraphed right hand from Rivera misses the target.
Rivera comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Rivera, right into the meat.
Cauthon 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 Cauthon off to one side.
Rivera tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cauthon paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rivera closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Rivera is pressed up against the cage. Cauthon has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rivera down to the mat. Rivera avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Cauthon on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Good leg kick by Cauthon there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Rivera is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Cauthon rather than just go for the knockout.
Rivera throws a low kick but Cauthon avoids it.
Rivera is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Cauthon.
Rivera throws a hook to the side of Cauthon's head but Cauthon sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cauthon fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rivera.
Rivera throws out a leg kick but Cauthon moves out of range and Rivera only half commits.
Cauthon takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Nice body kick there by Cauthon.
Rivera fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cauthon manages to avoid it.
Cauthon drops his hands momentarily and Rivera takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Cauthon misses with a low kick.
Cauthon doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A head kick misses from Cauthon.
Cauthon is looking to land body kicks.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cauthon looks for the body kick but Rivera saw that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cauthon blocks the body kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A head kick misses from Cauthon.
Rivera takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Rivera on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Cauthon. Cauthon obviously looking to wear him down.
Rivera chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Cauthon can pounce on him.
Cauthon takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Rivera lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Rivera connects with a good right hand that stumbles Cauthon. Cauthon circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Buddie Rivera seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rivera throws a jab but it's blocked by Cauthon.
Cauthon throws a front kick that sends Rivera stumbling back into the cage.
A good leg kick by Rivera.
Rivera blocks the body kick.
Rivera shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Rivera misses with a wild body shot.

Cauthon shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Rivera keeping full guard, as Cauthon tries to pass.
Cauthon landing with the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cauthon throws a big elbow that misses.
Rivera tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Cauthon 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.
Cauthon trying to control the position from guard on top but Rivera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rivera has his hands on Cauthon's head, controlling the position.
Rivera keeping moving, preventing Cauthon from controlling successfully.
Rivera wants to sweep but no luck.
Rivera seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Matrim Cauthon wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Cauthon throws a head kick that misses.
Cauthon throws a head kick but Rivera moves out of range.
Rivera lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivera fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cauthon manages to avoid it.
A jab from Rivera misses.

Cauthon closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Rivera did well to prevent Cauthon getting side control.
Rivera is refusing to be controlled, as Cauthon sits in half guard.
Cauthon is thwarting Rivera's attempts to control the position.
Matrim Cauthon overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Cauthon is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Rivera wants to control but Cauthon is keeping busy.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rivera gets back to full guard.
Rivera not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Buddie Rivera will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Cauthon closes the distance and clinches up with Rivera, looking for a takedown. Cauthon pushes Rivera against the cage but Rivera circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Cauthon scores with a nice body kick.
Rivera tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Cauthon counters with a nice double leg into side control. Rivera won't be happy with that.
You can see the frustration on Rivera's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Rivera is working to avoid the ground and pound but Cauthon connects with a decent elbow.
You can see the frustration on Rivera's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rivera tries to buck Cauthon off but Cauthon is having none of it.
Rivera is trying to control Cauthon's posture but Cauthon avoids it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cauthon trying to control the action but Rivera is working from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Rivera's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera is trying to improve his position.
Cauthon wants to control but Rivera is keeping him busy.
Rivera struggling a bit here.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Rivera leaves Cauthon with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rivera throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rivera slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Cauthon misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cauthon wants to land a leg kick but Rivera is out of range.
Rivera throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivera throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

It looks like Matrim Cauthon has been cut.
Cauthon lands with a nice body kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Rivera checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Cauthon shoots in looking for a takedown. Rivera tries to sprawl out of it but Cauthon keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rivera manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matrim Cauthon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cauthon connects with a high kick.
Rivera takes a swing at Cauthon's ribcage but misses.
Cauthon lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Rivera misses the shot to the body.
Cauthon swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Rivera looks to score with a jab to the body but Cauthon is just out of range.
Cauthon changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rivera tries to avoid it but Cauthon manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rivera to the ground. Rivera escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rivera stuns Cauthon with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Rivera has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Cauthon.
Jab, jab by Rivera - just one landing.
A good leg kick by Rivera.
Cauthon takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cauthon gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Rivera.
Cauthon misses with a takedown
enabling Rivera to counter with a crisp jab.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cauthon's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Rivera connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Cauthon scrambles back to his feet.
Cauthon looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rivera is fending him off so far but Cauthon persists. Nope, Rivera circles away and we're back to standing.
Rivera misses with a looping right.
Rivera scores with a head kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rivera. Cauthon does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cauthon has a takedown stuffed.
Rivera throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rivera misses with a head kick.
A lazy left from Rivera finds it's target.
Rivera displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cauthon.
Rivera catches Cauthon with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cauthon uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rivera.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cauthon keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rivera misses with a hook. Cauthon ducked under it nicely.
Rivera paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Cauthon takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
A telegraphed right hand from Rivera misses the target.
Rivera wants to clinch up but Cauthon keeps it at a distance.
Cauthon tries for a takedown but Rivera circles away easily
and Rivera counters with an outside leg kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cauthon.
Rivera connects with a body shot.
Rivera throws an overhand right that lands on Cauthon's shoulder, as Cauthon tries to avoid the shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cauthon fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Cauthon shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rivera as he jumps to the side.
Cauthon tries to move into range but Rivera moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Buddie Rivera comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rivera has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Buddie Rivera!
An out of breath Buddie Rivera thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.