PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gennady Maksimushkin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zeke Rivers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rivers has chosen Suffa by Hed Pe as his entrance music. Gennady Maksimushkin has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Maksimushkin
vs
Rivers

210 cm
23
260 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

191 cm
23
255 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent elbows
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Gennady Maksimushkin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Zeke Rivers!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Anni Minnemäki and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rivers dives in and scores a takedown into Maksimushkin's guard.
Maksimushkin wants to stand up but Rivers is controlling him.
Maksimushkin will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Rivers wants to control from the top but Maksimushkin keeps moving.
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.
Maksimushkin throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Rivers with a flurry of punches that miss.
Maksimushkin wants to stand but Rivers is controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rivers tries to free his leg and advance position but Maksimushkin is retaining full guard.
Maksimushkin working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rivers.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Maksimushkin looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rivers gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A short right from Rivers.

Rivers pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A combination from Rivers does no damage.
Maksimushkin misses with a takedown attempt
and Rivers counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Maksimushkin gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Maksimushkin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rivers is one step ahead there.
Rivers wants to pass the guard but Maksimushkin is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivers postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Maksimushkin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rivers trying to control the position from guard on top but Maksimushkin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rivers has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Maksimushkin has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the ropes to get back to his feet. Rivers has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the ropes.
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!
Maksimushkin is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Maksimushkin wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gennady Maksimushkin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rivers tries a body shot but Maksimushkin blocks it.
Maksimushkin jumps guard but Rivers turns him against the ropes and keeps the fight standing.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rivers.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short left from Rivers.

Maksimushkin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Rivers closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Maksimushkin's guard.
Rivers throws a big elbow that misses.
Rivers looking to sit in guard and control but Maksimushkin gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Rivers holds on and takes a little breather.
Rivers working a defensive guard here.
Maksimushkin wants to get up but he can't break Rivers's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Maksimushkin has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivers trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Rivers is looking to sweep but instead, Maksimushkin has passed into half guard.
Maksimushkin trying to control the action but Rivers is working from the bottom.

Rivers makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Maksimushkin moves out of range as Rivers throws a body kick.
Maksimushkin appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Maksimushkin tries to clinch but Rivers moves out of range.
Maksimushkin fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Rivers feints and as Maksimushkin raises his hands in defense, Rivers changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zeke Rivers dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Rivers is looking to clinch but Maksimushkin is avoiding it.
Rivers goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Maksimushkin on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Rivers wants to clinch.
Rivers throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Maksimushkin misses with a head kick.
Rivers has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rivers tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Maksimushkin tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rivers swats him away and circles back towards the center.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maksimushkin shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rivers pinned against the ropes. Rivers gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Maksimushkin moves in looking to clinch but Rivers pushes him off.
Rivers looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivers lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Maksimushkin circles away quickly and effectively.

Rivers fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Maksimushkin to the ground. Rivers is now in Maksimushkin's guard.
Rivers pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maksimushkin is keeping the position for now.

Rivers stands up and waves to Maksimushkin to follow him.
A head kick misses from Rivers.
Gennady Maksimushkin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Maksimushkin cracks Rivers with a right hand to the side of the head.
Zeke Rivers seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rivers checks a low kick from Maksimushkin.
Rivers doesn't manage to clinch there - Maksimushkin circles away.
Rivers throws a left and a right that both miss
and Maksimushkin connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rivers is breathing heavily.
Maksimushkin avoids a kick to the body.
Rivers with a nice cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivers throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Maksimushkin listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maksimushkin misses with a looping right.

Rivers manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Maksimushkin on his heels. He'll look to pass Maksimushkin's guard now, I'm sure.
Rivers won't allow Maksimushkin to sweep him here.

Rivers gets to his feet - Maksimushkin follows without any prompting.
Maksimushkin thuds a left hand into Rivers's body.
Rivers swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Maksimushkin moves into the clinch.

Maksimushkin has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Rivers regains guard immediately.
Maksimushkin not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rivers is looking for a triangle here but Maksimushkin uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

Maksimushkin decides to stand up, so the ref orders Rivers to his feet.
No luck for Maksimushkin with that takedown attempt.
Rivers moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Rivers misses with a combination
and Maksimushkin cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivers throws a right and a left that Maksimushkin avoids nicely.
Maksimushkin fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gennady Maksimushkin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rivers tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Maksimushkin is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Maksimushkin dodges the punch combination from Rivers.
Maksimushkin shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rivers but Rivers pushes him off and we're back to square one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zeke Rivers showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Rivers tries to keep at a distance but Maksimushkin has taken the fight into the clinch.
Maksimushkin is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Rivers is defending well.
Maksimushkin jumps guard but Rivers stands there with Maksimushkin around his waist. Maksimushkin gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Maksimushkin is trying to stall.

Rivers pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maksimushkin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Maksimushkin bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Rivers throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Zeke Rivers seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Maksimushkin throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivers ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Maksimushkin is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

Rivers closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Maksimushkin did well to prevent Rivers getting side control.
Rivers seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Rivers wants to control but Maksimushkin is keeping him busy.

Rivers decides to stand and escape the position.
Maksimushkin tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Rivers defends well and Maksimushkin ends up having to push Rivers into the ropes where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gennady Maksimushkin. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Rivers drives through with a takedown into Maksimushkin's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Rivers missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rivers throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivers passes Maksimushkin's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Maksimushkin wants to get back to full guard.
Zeke Rivers has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rivers tries to pass the half guard into mount. Maksimushkin knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Rivers trying to control from half guard but Maksimushkin is working away.
Rivers keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maksimushkin is refusing to be controlled, as Rivers sits in half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Rivers lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Rivers scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Rivers scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Maksimushkin tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rivers wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Rivers tries to score with some ground and pound. Maksimushkin controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Maksimushkin is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rivers stands up.

Rivers shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Rivers was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Maksimushkin is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the ropes but Rivers has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Maksimushkin can't do much from the bottom here.
Zeke Rivers is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Maksimushkin tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Gennady Maksimushkin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maksimushkin staying busy and making it hard for Rivers to control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zeke Rivers comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rivers has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zeke Rivers!
A very excited looking Zeke Rivers made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.