PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Marcelo Rios (ranked 9001 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stephen Gardner (ranked 7810 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Stephen Gardner was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Rios
vs
Gardner

189 cm
19
184 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

188 cm
20
183 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes musicals

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Marcelo Rios!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Stephen Gardner!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, James Glass and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rios fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Gardner.
Rios throws a right and a left that Gardner avoids nicely.
Gardner fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rios avoids it really well and circles away.
Rios seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Gardner looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Rios has taken the fight to the clinch.

Rios ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Rios no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Rios looking for a guillotine here but Gardner defends easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rios controls Gardner momentarily but Gardner frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rios is really struggling to control Gardner but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Gardner not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Rios is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Gardner is controlling him.
Gardner is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Gardner throws a big right hand that misses.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rios trying to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Rios fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gardner avoids it really well and circles away.

Gardner gets a clinch.
Rios tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Gardner wants a takedown.
Marcelo Rios has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stephen Gardner.

Rios escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gardner is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rios sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Gardner tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Rios defends well and Gardner ends up having to push Rios into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Rios looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Gardner is fending him off so far but Rios persists. Nope, Gardner circles away and we're back to standing.
Rios fails with the takedown
and Gardner counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rios tries to clinch up but Gardner circles away and keeps his distance.
Gardner shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rios defends it nicely.
Gardner scores with a crisp jab that stopped Rios in his tracks.
Rios shoots for a takedown but Gardner saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Gardner connects with a crisp jab.

Rios shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Gardner is trying to defend but Rios finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Gardner has one foot on Rios's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
That kick from Rios tenderised Gardner's leg. Gardner is trying to keep his angry face on.
Gardner tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rios swivels and escapes.
Rios wants to clinch up but Gardner keeps it at a distance.

Gardner instigates a clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Gardner.

Rios jumps guard.
Gardner working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Rios had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gardner defends it easily.

Gardner stands up and waves to Rios to follow him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Stephen Gardner will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gardner circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rios checks the leg kick nicely there.
Gardner stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gardner wants it to stay on the feet.

Gardner forces Rios back against the cage and clinches.
Gardner looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Rios has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Gardner after a bit of a struggle.
Gardner managing to block the knees to the body from Rios.
Gardner is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rios is defending well for now.
Rios wants to take the fight to the mat but Gardner manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcelo Rios. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gardner drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rios pulls his leg out and moves away.

Rios manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Gardner on his heels. He'll look to pass Gardner's guard now, I'm sure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gardner thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Gardner is pulling down on Rios's head. It's preventing any offense from Rios, at least for the moment.

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

Gardner uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Rios shoots in for a takedown but Gardner shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Gardner has Rios up against the cage in a clinch.
Rios fails to pull guard.
Gardner has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rios goes for a takedown attempt but Gardner pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Gardner rushes Rios and presses him up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rios is trying to push Gardner away but Gardner has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Gardner wants a takedown but no success here.

Rios manages to break the clinch.
Gardner with a lazy takedown attempt

and Rios counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rios.
Rios is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Gardner pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rios content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Rios is trying to break the clinch but Gardner has him pressed against the cage.
Rios has Gardner pressed against the cage, preventing Gardner from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Gardner manages to pull guard.
Gardner tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gardner is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Rios presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Gardner is looking to break free of the clinch but Rios has double underhooks.
Gardner trying to land knees to the body.
Rios wants to break free but Gardner has control.
Rios stalling against the cage.
Rios gets underhooks to prevent Gardner's takedown attempt.

Rios's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rios shoots in for a double leg but Gardner sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Gardner dives in for a single leg takedown but Rios sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Marcelo Rios is winning the standup battle so far.
Rios fails with the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gardner throws a head kick but Rios moves out of range.
Rios shoots in looking for a takedown but Gardner manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rios's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Gardner shoots in looking for a takedown. Rios tries to sprawl out of it but Gardner keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rios manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Horrible takedown attempt by Gardner or perhaps it was just good defense by Rios, which made it look bad.
Gardner shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rios defends it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stephen Gardner showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Nice sprawl there from Rios as Gardner shoots in.

Rios manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Gardner on his heels. He'll look to pass Gardner's guard now, I'm sure.

Gardner throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rios has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Gardner uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Rios tries to close the distance and clinch but Gardner swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gardner is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Gardner keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gardner throws a sloppy head kick and Rios moves out of range easily.
Gardner tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Rios defends well and Gardner ends up having to push Rios into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rios tries to clinch up but Gardner circles away and keeps his distance.
Gardner takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gardner fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Marcelo Rios has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stephen Gardner.
Gardner shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rios defends it nicely.

Gardner gets caught flat footed, as Rios shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Rios throws a strike but Gardner rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Rios wants to improve his position but instead Gardner has moved into half guard.
Gardner is trying to control. Rios wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rios is looking to improve his position.
Rios punching from the bottom.
Rios has a hand on Gardner's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Gardner takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Rios is just holding on here. Gardner manages to take his back.
Rios covering up well under a series of strikes from Gardner.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rios wants to get back to his feet.
Rios looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Rios knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Gardner on the ground.
Gardner keeps control of the position easily here as Rios tries to buck him off.
Rios trying to control the hands but Gardner breaks the grip.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Gardner biding his time, looking for the opening.
Rios tries to escape but Gardner has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Gardner slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
I really don't envy Rios right now.
Gardner biding his time, looking for the opening.

Gardner is looking for the choke from the back position but Rios is controlling his hands well.
Marcelo Rios has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stephen Gardner 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.
Gardner is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stephen Gardner comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Gardner winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stephen Gardner!