PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Bob Spano (ranked 4748 p4p, 5318 weight class) and Josue Rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Spano
vs
Rivera

178 cm
25
160
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
22
166
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Bob Spano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Josue Rivera!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Arvi Lind and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rivera shoots for a takedown but Spano saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Spano wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Rivera throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Spano's waist but Spano gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rivera off to one side.
Spano swats away the attempt to clinch by Rivera.
Rivera tries to land a front kick but Spano steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Spano throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Spano slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Rivera shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Rivera throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Spano.
Spano stuffs the takedown attempt from Rivera. Rivera gets slowly back to his feet.
Bob Spano has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josue Rivera.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rivera goes for a double leg but Spano avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Spano continues to drive forward.
Spano paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Spano has Rivera up against the cage in a clinch.
Spano lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Spano pushes Rivera back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Spano.
Spano prevents the takedown attempt.
Rivera looks winded!
Rivera has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Spano scores with a hook to the body.
Spano doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Spano lands a right hand.
Spano drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rivera gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Rivera is looking to break free of the clinch but Spano has double underhooks.
Spano lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rivera backwards.
Spano lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Rivera.
Spano goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Spano lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Nice body punch from Spano.
Spano keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rivera's efforts to push away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spano pushes Rivera back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Spano lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Rivera or not.
Spano lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Spano lands a body shot in the clinch.
Spano works on Rivera's body with a couple of short punches.
Rivera takes a shot to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Spano works on Rivera's body with a couple of short punches.
Spano lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rivera backwards.
A short right from Spano.
Spano pushes Rivera back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Spano wants the takedown. Rivera is fighting it off but Spano persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Rivera's guard against the cage.
Rivera being controlled here, momentarily.
Spano looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spano slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Rivera trying to control the position.
Rivera pulls Spano in to control the position.
Spano is looking to stand up but Rivera won't let him.
Spano stays in close to Rivera's body and controls the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rivera on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Rivera takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Spano jabs at Rivera's body.
Bob Spano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Spano gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Spano stops a takedown attempt from Rivera.
A body shot lands from Spano.
Spano lands with a right to the head.
Spano digs a right hand into Rivera's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Rivera's gas tank.
Rivera tries for a takedown. No joy.
Spano softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nice body punch from Spano.
Spano digs a right hand underneath Rivera's ribcage. Rivera let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A hook to the body from Spano.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Spano dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Spano moves into the clinch successfully.
Rivera trying to stall but Spano improves his position.
Spano lands a right hand.
Spano has a couple of punches blocked by Rivera.
Spano lands a left hand.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Spano.
Spano lands a right hand.
Spano working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rivera's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Rivera has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spano has Rivera pressed against the cage, preventing Rivera from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Spano lands a right hand.
Spano lands a shot to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Spano.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Spano scores with a shoulder strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spano lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Spano is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rivera can do to turn this around?
Rivera tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Spano just stands there and leans against the cage.
Rivera is breathing heavily.
Nice body punch from Spano - that landed with a thud.
Spano misses with a hook to the ribs.
A shot in the inside from Spano.
Spano digs a right hand underneath Rivera's ribcage. Rivera let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Spano.
Spano scores with a shoulder strike.
Spano is working Rivera over against the cage.
Rivera tries to stall but Spano uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Spano lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rivera backwards.
Rivera jumps guard but Spano stands there with Rivera around his waist. Rivera gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Spano lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Spano scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spano lands an uppercut.
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 can't get the takedown.
Bob Spano has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josue Rivera.
Spano scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Spano lands a right hand.

Spano is trying to trip Rivera. He has hold of a leg but Rivera is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Spano persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Spano controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Spano continues to stall.
More hug and hope from Spano.
Spano wants to stand but Rivera has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivera looking for a sweep. Not yet Rivera, not yet.
Rivera keeping full guard, as Spano tries to pass.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Rivera controls Spano momentarily but Spano frees himself.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Spano lands with a shot to the body.
Rivera shoots in looking for a takedown. Spano tries to sprawl out of it but Rivera keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Spano manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four 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.

Spano closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Rivera drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Spano gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A nice right hand lands inside from Spano.
Rivera tries to pull guard but Spano holds him up against the cage and eventually Rivera drops back down to his feet.

Spano breaks from the clinch.
Spano lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Spano has taken the fight to the clinch.
Spano lands with a short shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Spano dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Spano forces Rivera back against the cage and clinches.
Rivera blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rivera throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Spano blocks it with crossed arms.
Spano lands a nice shot to the body.
Spano misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Spano lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Rivera or not.

Spano breaks the clinch.

Spano moves into the clinch successfully.
Spano scores with a nice hook to the head.
Rivera misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Spano.
A body shot lands from Spano.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spano presses Rivera against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Rivera takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Spano is working Rivera over against the cage.
Spano lands with a right to the head.
Spano lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Rivera.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Spano.
Spano lands with a right to the head.
Spano digs a right hand underneath Rivera's ribcage. Rivera let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Spano lands a hook that snaps the head of Rivera backwards.
Rivera gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Spano.
Spano lands with a left to the head.
Spano works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Spano.
Bob Spano has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Spano lands a hook to the side of the head.
Spano pushes Rivera back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Spano works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Spano lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rivera backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A quick uppercut on the inside from Spano.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Spano.
Spano lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rivera backwards.
Spano is working Rivera over against the cage.
Nice body punch from Spano - that landed with a thud.
Spano lands a hook to the side of the head.
Spano cracks Rivera with a nice body shot.
Spano scores with a nice hook to the head.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Spano takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Spano cracks Rivera with a nice body shot.
Spano is working Rivera over against the cage.
Spano lands a right hand.
Spano lands a body shot.
Spano scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Spano.
Spano lands a shoulder strike.
Spano is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Rivera is defending well.
A shot in the inside from Spano.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Spano.
Rivera has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rivera's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Bob Spano is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Spano lands a shot to the body.
Rivera is looking to control Spano's arms but Spano gets an underhook and turns him. Now Rivera has his back to the cage.
Spano presses Rivera against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Good body shot from Spano.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spano works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Spano scores with a shot to the side of Rivera's head.
Rivera fails to pull guard.
Spano is working Rivera over against the cage.
Rivera fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Spano lands an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Spano stops a takedown attempt from Rivera.
Bob Spano has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josue Rivera.
Rivera prevents the takedown attempt.
Josue Rivera has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rivera trying to land knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bob Spano showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Spano 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:24
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:24
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bob Spano!