PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Steve Raboatta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeanmarc LaRiviere (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Raboatta
vs
LaRiviere

200 cm
21
265 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

220 cm
20
230 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Steve Raboatta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jeanmarc LaRiviere!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Dillan Fox and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No joy there for Raboatta, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Raboatta misses with a few strikes there.
Raboatta throws a hook but LaRiviere avoids it easily.

LaRiviere gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Raboatta wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

LaRiviere breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
LaRiviere avoids a punch combination nicely.

LaRiviere instigates a clinch.
LaRiviere creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Raboatta's defenses.

It looks like Steve Raboatta has been cut.

LaRiviere is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Raboatta can't fight it off and eventually LaRiviere manages to take the fight to the floor. Raboatta looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Raboatta might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
LaRiviere trying to control the position from guard on top but Raboatta is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
LaRiviere looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Raboatta is on top in guard.
Raboatta is fighting to break LaRiviere's control of his arms but LaRiviere is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
LaRiviere keeping busy, throwing shots from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Raboatta drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and LaRiviere dives on top into guard.
Raboatta wants to stand but LaRiviere is controlling the position.
LaRiviere pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Raboatta is keeping the position for now.
LaRiviere wants to control from the top but Raboatta keeps moving.
LaRiviere scoring with some ground and pound.
Raboatta is looking to stand up but LaRiviere isn't so interested in that idea.
LaRiviere seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Raboatta looks to land a combination but LaRiviere avoids it well.
Raboatta tries to clinch but fails miserably

and LaRiviere counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by LaRiviere.
Raboatta misses with some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Raboatta.

LaRiviere breaks from the clinch.

LaRiviere gets the takedown into side control.
LaRiviere lands a nice forearm strike.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Raboatta is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but LaRiviere has just dragged him back down to the mat.
LaRiviere lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Raboatta down.
Raboatta wants to get back to his feet but LaRiviere drags him back down.
Raboatta is breathing heavily.
LaRiviere is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
LaRiviere trying to control the action but Raboatta is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raboatta pushes LaRiviere away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, LaRiviere gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Raboatta connects with a single shot there.
Raboatta misses with a double jab

so LaRiviere counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
LaRiviere sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Raboatta wants to get back to his feet but LaRiviere is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
LaRiviere trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
LaRiviere is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Raboatta is looking to stand up but LaRiviere isn't so interested in that idea.
LaRiviere wants to control from the top but Raboatta keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raboatta wants to stand and escape but LaRiviere is having none of it.
LaRiviere wants to control from the top but Raboatta keeps moving.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Raboatta swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and LaRiviere counters with a shoot takedown. Raboatta fights it but they end up in guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

LaRiviere stands and steps away. Raboatta gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Raboatta misses with a double jab.
LaRiviere shoots in but no luck this time.
Raboatta throws a nice looking combination but LaRiviere bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
LaRiviere uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Raboatta.

Raboatta gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
LaRiviere showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeanmarc LaRiviere dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Steve Raboatta'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.

Raboatta misses with a looping left.
Raboatta lands a hook that stumbles LaRiviere back into the cage. Raboatta follows up with a straight and another hook that land right on the button, dropping LaRiviere to the canvas! Raboatta pounces and lands several unanswered shots - LaRiviere has had enough and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:17 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Steve Raboatta!