PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Riverson (ranked 2410 p4p, 100 weight class) and Gabriel Skrarski (ranked 4257 p4p, 159 weight class). Riverson kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is J.Ralph - Kansas City Shuffle. John Riverson has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Riverson
vs
Skrarski

225 cm
32
300 lbs
10 - 14 - 0

198 cm
23
300 lbs
8 - 8 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John Riverson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gabriel Skrarski!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Matti Vanhoillinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Riverson tries to land a front kick but Skrarski steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Skrarski has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Riverson is landing a low percentage of strikes.

Skrarski darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Riverson has hold of Skrarski's hands but Skrarski slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Riverson looking for submissions off his back.
Riverson has hold of Skrarski's hands but Skrarski slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Riverson actively working from the bottom here.

Riverson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Skrarski seems to be looking for submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Riverson taking some punishment here, with Skrarski in his half guard.

Riverson looking for submissions off his back.
Riverson is trying to get back to full guard.
Skrarski takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Skrarski is looking for a kimura but Riverson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Skrarski to get the leverage.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Skrarski lands a nice short elbow.
Riverson is trying to get back to full guard.
Riverson gets back to full guard.
Skrarski lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Riverson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Skrarski gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Skrarski throws a big elbow that misses.

Riverson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Riverson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Skrarski trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Skrarski with a nice head shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Riverson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Skrarski can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Riverson keeping moving, preventing Skrarski from controlling successfully.
Skrarski connects with a couple of short punches.
Skrarski chips away with some ground and pound.
Skrarski is working Riverson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Riverson is looking for a triangle here but Skrarski uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Riverson tries to improve position but can't.

Skrarski looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Skrarski is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Riverson has escaped the position, nice work there.
Riverson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Skrarski wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Skrarski working the body and head with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riverson is trying to get back to half guard.
Skrarski scores with punches from side control.

Riverson is rocked!
Riverson tries to bench press Skrarski off him but Skrarski keeps the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Skrarski working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Oh Riverson is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Riverson has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Riverson on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
The crowd goes nuts as Skrarski knocks Riverson out cold with a massive hammerfist! Skrarski Jumps to his feet and climbs on top of the cage to celebrate with the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:50 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Gabriel Skrarski!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Gabriel Skrarski made sure he mentioned Vikai Gear, along with how happy he was to win his fight.