PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Malcolm Rivera (ranked 498 p4p, 1291 weight class) and Tony Stark (ranked 78 p4p, 196 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Rivera might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to BAD COMPANY. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Rivera
vs
Stark

194 cm
28
201
14 - 8 - 0

191 cm
31
218
21 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)
Conquer

Urban Fighter
New Standard

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Malcolm Rivera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 15 - 0, fighting out of London, Tony Stark!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Sam Margolis and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rivera pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Stark's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Rivera connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Stark scrambles back to his feet.

It looks like Tony Stark has been cut.
Rivera connects with a body shot.
Rivera stuffs the takedown attempt from Stark. Stark gets slowly back to his feet.
Stark shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rivera pinned against the cage. Rivera gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stark closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rivera circles away.
Rivera seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Malcolm Rivera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tony Stark.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stark changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rivera tries to avoid it but Stark manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rivera to the ground. Rivera escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Stark showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rivera.
Rivera defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Stark.
Rivera looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Stark shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rivera pinned against the cage. Rivera gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Stark has his takedown stuffed
and Rivera counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stark shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rivera pinned against the cage. Rivera gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Rivera is looking to counter punch.
Stark gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Rivera to counter with a crisp jab.
A low kick from Rivera is predictable there

and Stark counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Rivera makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rivera.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Stark drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Rivera manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Stark has Rivera in his guard.

Stark looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stark looking for subs off his back but Rivera has passed one foot through into half guard.
Stark is looking for a sweep. Rivera is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rivera knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Stark on the ground.
It looks like Rivera is going to stand back up.
Stark is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rivera's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rivera's back!

Stark is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Rivera knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Rivera for a finish.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Stark looking for the choke from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stark is working for a rear naked choke. Rivera is not defending it well and Stark has tightened it up quickly! This could be all over! Rivera refuses to tap and goes to sleep, forcing the referee to intervene. A little trickle of blood came out of Rivera's nose as his head slumped to the floor. That is naaaasty!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:26 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Tony Stark!