PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Buddie Rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juan Ignacio Cresta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rivera kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is My Chemical Romance - I'm Not Okay (I Promise). Cresta has chosen The black keys - I got mine as his entrance music. Juan Ignacio Cresta acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Rivera
vs
Ignacio Cresta

186 cm
27
184 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

185 cm
29
189 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Vikai Gear

V-Mask Clothing (10%)
Spartan Nutrition

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 - 0, fighting out of New York, Buddie Rivera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Juan Ignacio Cresta!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Shigeki Sano and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cresta looks to throw the jab but Rivera is out of range.
Rivera throws a hook but Cresta blocks it.
Rivera tries to work over Cresta's front leg with a kick but Cresta checks it.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Rivera.
Cresta throws a right hand that Rivera ducks under and follows up with a left that Rivera also avoids with ease.
Cresta loads up on a big right hand but Rivera slips the punch.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Cresta has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Rivera slips a jab from Cresta.
Rivera slips a jab from Cresta.
Cresta takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Cresta looks to land a combination but Rivera avoids it well.
The fighters circle momentarily. Cresta darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Cresta swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cresta uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rivera.
Rivera throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nice body kick there by Rivera.
Cresta misses with a hook. Rivera ducked under it nicely.
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!
Cresta looks to score with a jab to the body but Rivera is just out of range.
Rivera throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Cresta stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Cresta steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rivera.
Cresta throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera scoring well with a low kick there.
Rivera fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Cresta checks it well.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rivera.
Rivera scoring well with a low kick there.
Cresta tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nice shot by Rivera.
Cresta walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Cresta ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rivera moves away.
Rivera tries for a takedown but Cresta sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rivera throws a hook but Cresta avoids it easily.
Cresta throws out a loose jab but Rivera uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rivera misses with a kick to the body.
Cresta scores with a nice head shot.
Cresta darts in looking for a takedown but Rivera gets double underhooks and turns Cresta into the cage.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rivera.
Cresta's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rivera shoots in looking for a takedown but Cresta manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rivera's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Cresta connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Cresta slaps away a takedown attempt from Rivera, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Buddie Rivera. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cresta blocks the body kick.
Cresta throws a counter combo.
Rivera misses with a body kick.
Cresta scores with a crisp jab that stopped Rivera in his tracks.
Rivera throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Cresta doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Rivera displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cresta throws out the jab.
Rivera looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Cresta misses with a series of wild punches.
Rivera slips a straight right by Cresta.
Rivera misses with a head kick.
Rivera uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cresta.
Buddie Rivera seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jab, jab by Cresta - just one landing.
Rivera lands with a nice body kick.
Cresta checks a leg kick nicely.
Cresta misses with a double jab.
Rivera looks for the body kick but Cresta saw that one coming.
Cresta tries to move into range but Rivera moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Rivera throws a nice inside leg kick.
Nice body kick there by Rivera.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cresta takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Cresta swings for the body but Rivera moves out of range.
Cresta connects with the punch.
That kick from Rivera tenderised Cresta's leg. Cresta is trying to keep his angry face on.
Rivera tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Cresta throws a jab when Rivera was well out of range.
Cresta throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rivera throws a low kick but it's checked well by Cresta.
Cresta throws out a counter right but Rivera avoids it with no problem.
Cresta moves out of range of the body kick.
Cresta lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Cresta closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Cresta takes a kick to the side of the head.
Good leg kick by Rivera there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Cresta throws a hook to the side of Rivera's head but Rivera sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rivera throws a nice inside leg kick.
Rivera throws a sloppy head kick and Cresta moves out of range easily.
Cresta throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rivera sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Cresta might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice sprawl there from Rivera as Cresta shoots in.
Cresta looks to land a left hand but Rivera moved out of range nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cresta. Rivera does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cresta is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rivera.
Cresta throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rivera cracks Cresta with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Rivera chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Rivera chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Rivera avoids the body shot from Cresta.
Cresta is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rivera.
Rivera throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
The fighters circling - Cresta throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Cresta has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Rivera.
Rivera misses with a wild body shot.
Rivera moves out of range as Cresta strikes.
Rivera feinted with a counter takedown.
Rivera scores with a kick to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cresta shoots in but no luck this time.
Rivera ducks under a wild hook from Cresta.
Rivera lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Cresta swings for the body but Rivera moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Buddie Rivera dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Cresta walks forward, straight into a front kick from Rivera.
Cresta takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Cresta loads up on a big right hand but Rivera slips the punch.
Rivera lands with a slapping head kick.
Rivera avoids the body shot from Cresta.
Rivera sizes up Cresta with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cresta. Rivera does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cresta has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Rivera.
Cresta blocks a leg kick.
Rivera throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Cresta with the counter takedown but Rivera avoids it easily.
Rivera displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cresta throws out the jab.
Cresta throws a body shot but no joy.
Rivera darts in looking for a takedown but Cresta gets double underhooks and turns Rivera into the cage.
Rivera steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Cresta.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rivera lands an overhand right.
Cresta throws a series of punches but Rivera avoids them all with ease.
Buddie Rivera is winning the standup battle so far.

Rivera gets a double leg takedown into Cresta's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rivera trying to control but Cresta is working from the bottom.
Rivera with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cresta is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rivera throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cresta works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rivera trying to control the position from guard on top but Cresta is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rivera connects with a couple of short punches.
Rivera lands a couple of digs.
Rivera throws a strike but Cresta rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Rivera wants to sweep here but Cresta controlling him for the moment.
Cresta trying to control the position from guard on top but Rivera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Rivera working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cresta.
Cresta is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Cresta is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Cresta throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rivera works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Rivera is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cresta is aware though and is defending well.
Cresta loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rivera has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Cresta is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cresta is fighting to break Rivera's control of his arms but Rivera is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Cresta throwing strikes but missing.
Cresta working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Cresta trying to control but Rivera is working from the bottom.
Cresta missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cresta wants to control from the top but Rivera keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Rivera throws out a powerful jab.
Cresta looks for a takedown but Rivera sprawls well.
Rivera scores with a shot to the body.
Rivera chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivera tries to land a leg kick but Cresta saw it coming and moves away.

Rivera closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Cresta did well to prevent Rivera getting side control.
Rivera drops an elbow to the side of Cresta's head.
Cresta on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Rivera is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cresta can do to turn this around?
Rivera trying to control the action but Cresta is working from the bottom.
Rivera is nestled in close to Cresta, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Rivera stops Cresta from getting back to his feet.

Cresta is defending against the submission attempts here by Rivera.
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!
Rivera drops an elbow to the side of Cresta's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Buddie Rivera dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Cresta throws a right and a left that Rivera avoids nicely.
Rivera throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Cresta connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rivera ducks under a wild hook from Cresta.
Cresta connects with a looping right hand.
Rivera showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cresta.
Rivera lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Cresta walks forward, straight into a front kick from Rivera.
Cresta misses with a hook. Rivera ducked under it nicely.
An inside leg kick lands from Rivera.
Cresta lands a nice hook to Rivera's body. Rivera takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Rivera keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rivera slips a jab from Cresta.
Rivera delivers a nice body kick.
Rivera throws a right and a left that both miss.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A jab from Rivera does it's job there.
Rivera misses with a body punch
and Cresta counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rivera keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cresta.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cresta throws a hook but Rivera avoids it easily.
Rivera uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cresta.
Cresta gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Cresta has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Rivera.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rivera.
Rivera lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Rivera thuds his shin into the meat of Cresta's side.
Rivera connects with an inside leg kick.

Cresta manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Rivera on his heels. He'll look to pass Rivera's guard now, I'm sure.
Cresta trying to control the position from guard on top but Rivera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cresta must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Rivera working for a triangle but Cresta defends it easily.
Cresta tries to free his leg and advance position but Rivera is retaining full guard.
Juan Ignacio Cresta has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rivera 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivera being controlled here, momentarily.
Cresta wants to control from the top but Rivera keeps moving.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Cresta got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rivera has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Cresta has managed to get both his arms back between Rivera's legs - danger averted.
Cresta working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Buddie Rivera overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Cresta distracts Rivera with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Rivera is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Cresta defends well.
Cresta with a nice head shot there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rivera has his foot on Cresta's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cresta works his way back into a safe position though.
Cresta lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cresta accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Cresta with a nice head shot there.
Cresta distracts Rivera with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Cresta is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Cresta missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cresta landing with the ground and pound.

Cresta avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Cresta trying to control but Rivera is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivera bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cresta's guard.

Cresta is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rivera is aware though and is defending well.
Rivera wants to control from the top but Cresta keeps moving.
Rivera wants to pass the guard but Cresta is keeping the position.

Cresta looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Cresta thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Juan Ignacio Cresta.
Well Rivera has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:28
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Buddie Rivera!
Buddie Rivera tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.