PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mamed Khalidov (ranked 3080 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mountain Rivera (ranked 9045 p4p, 0 weight class). Khalidov comes to the cage accompanied by Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up. Mountain Rivera has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Khalidov
vs
Rivera

206 cm
32
241 lbs
11 - 13 - 0

197 cm
52
274 lbs
32 - 95 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Knockout power

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 11 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mamed Khalidov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 95 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mountain Rivera!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Alan Glass and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Khalidov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Rivera tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Khalidov is in Rivera's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Rivera can do anything to dispel that myth.
Khalidov controlling from the top position.
Khalidov preventing the sweep.
Khalidov distracts Rivera with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Khalidov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
We've been hearing good reports from Khalidov's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Rivera should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Rivera looking to hit a scissor sweep but Khalidov is one step ahead there.
Rivera really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Khalidov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Khalidov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khalidov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Rivera has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Khalidov 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.
Rivera looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Khalidov pushes down on Rivera's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Khalidov uses his free foot to push down on Rivera's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Rivera.
Rivera is in a horrible position here. Khalidov smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

It looks like Mountain Rivera has been cut.
Oooooh, big shot lands for Khalidov! Rivera is hurt baaadly! Khalidov is firing away with more strikes - Rivera is covering up... the ref is warning him to do something. He's just covering up though still and the ref has to step in to end the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mamed Khalidov!
During a confident post fight interview, Mamed Khalidov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.