PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Natsu Dragneel (ranked 345 p4p, 364 weight class) and Clint Rivers (ranked 41 p4p, 45 weight class). Dragneel comes to the cage accompanied by Come the Fire Dragon. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Dragneel
vs
Rivers

185 cm
23
180
9 - 4 - 1

172 cm
26
170
14 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Champion Apparel

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Natsu Dragneel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Clint Rivers!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rivers tries to close the distance and clinch but Dragneel swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Dragneel cracks a nice hook into Rivers's ribs.
Rivers with a lazy takedown attempt
and Dragneel cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rivers throws a poor cross that misses
and Rivers takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nice defenses there by Rivers.
Dragneel wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Rivers has managed to clinch.
Rivers throws a punch but it's blocked by Dragneel.
A short right from Dragneel.
Dragneel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rivers blocking some punches.
Dragneel lands with a light punch inside.
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!

Rivers escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dragneel misses the shot to the body.
A decent looking cross lands there for Rivers.
We've been told by Dragneel's head coaches at Champion Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Dragneel fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Rivers throws a hook but Dragneel blocks it.
Rivers jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rivers lands a lovely overhand right.
Dragneel throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivers ducks under a wild hook from Dragneel.
Natsu Dragneel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A right-left combo lands from Rivers.
A jab from Dragneel finds it's way through Rivers's defenses.
Dragneel uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rivers.
Dragneel seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Dragneel throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rivers appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Dragneel throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Dragneel lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Dragneel lands a leg kick that knocks Rivers off balance momentarily.
Dragneel swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A little jabbing left from Rivers on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Dragneel cracks Rivers with a good jab.
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!
Dragneel throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rivers throws out a counter right but Dragneel avoids it with no problem.
Dragneel swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Rivers holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Rivers is trying to pull guard but Dragneel turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Rivers has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Dragneel avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Natsu Dragneel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Clint Rivers.
Rivers works on Dragneel's body with a couple of short punches.
Dragneel stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Rivers tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Dragneel's elbow.
Rivers tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dragneel is trying to stall.
Rivers avoiding damage.
Rivers tries to pull guard but Dragneel holds him up against the cage and eventually Rivers drops back down to his feet.
Still in the clinch, Dragneel scores with a nice short uppercut.
Rivers tries to throw a body punch but Dragneel avoids it by throwing Rivers back against the cage.
Rivers lands a shoulder strike.
Dragneel lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Dragneel stalling in the clinch but Rivers improves position.
A short right from Dragneel.
Rivers has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Dragneel throws a head punch that misses.
Dragneel is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Rivers tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Dragneel's elbow.
A nice right hand lands inside from Dragneel.
Rivers can't find room to land a body shot as Dragneel controls the action.
Dragneel lands with a right to the head.
Rivers misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dragneel throws a punch but it's blocked by Rivers.
Rivers is working Dragneel over against the cage.
Dragneel blocks a body shot from Rivers.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Dragneel.
Dragneel working aggressively here.

Dragneel's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rivers misses with a right hand
and Dragneel counters with a stiff right hand.
Dragneel avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Dragneel throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
A swing and a miss from Rivers.
Dragneel fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Rivers has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Rivers goes for a double leg but Dragneel avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Dragneel continues to drive forward.
Dragneel defending well as Rivers loads up on a big left hand.
Some wild striking there from Dragneel.
The fighters circling - Rivers throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rivers tries to clinch there but Dragneel circles away.
Rivers is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Rivers throws the left hand but Dragneel avoids the punch easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivers is looking to clinch but Dragneel is avoiding it.
Rivers tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dragneel was well out of range. Poor timing from Rivers.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dragneel connects with a right hand. Rivers shakes it off.
Rivers takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Rivers paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
That kick from Dragneel tenderised Rivers's leg. Rivers is trying to keep his angry face on.
Dragneel is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Rivers takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A head kick by Dragneel misses
letting Rivers counter with a right hand.
Rivers throws a jab but it's blocked by Dragneel.
Dragneel fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Rivers has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Dragneel is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
A jab lands there for Rivers.
Rivers misses with a left hand
and Dragneel counters with a stiff right hand.
A jab from Dragneel finds it's way through Rivers's defenses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rivers slips a jab and a cross from Dragneel.
A punch combination from Rivers misses.
Dragneel ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Rivers moves out of range of the body kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Natsu Dragneel dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Dragneel throws a hook to the side of Rivers's head but Rivers sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rivers is looking to clinch.
Rivers avoids the head kick by Dragneel.
Natsu Dragneel is winning the standup battle so far.
Dragneel keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rivers.
Rivers throws an overhand right that lands on Dragneel's shoulder, as Dragneel tries to avoid the shot.
Rivers just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromDragneel.
Rivers takes a swing at Dragneel's ribcage but misses.
Dragneel connects with a good right hand that stumbles Rivers. Rivers circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Rivers loads up on a big right hand but Dragneel slips the punch.
The fighters circling - Dragneel throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rivers might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Rivers keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rivers lands a jab to the head.
Dragneel lands a head kick!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rivers slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Dragneel avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rivers works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dragneel with a nice calf kick.
Dragneel tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Rivers is able to avoid easily.
Dragneel scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Dragneel lands a nice hook to Rivers's body. Rivers takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A slapping leg kick lands for Dragneel.
A shot to the body from Rivers misses
enabling Dragneel to counter with a crisp jab.
Dragneel avoids the body shot from Rivers.
Dragneel scores with a jab.
Dragneel scores with a nice right hand.
Jab from Rivers.
Rivers throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
A jab from Rivers does it's job there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dragneel checks the leg kick nicely there.
Dragneel wants to slow Rivers down by chopping away at his legs.
Dragneel ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rivers moves away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Rivers! But no joy.
Dragneel lands with a nice body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Dragneel misses.
Rivers tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dragneel was well out of range. Poor timing from Rivers.
Sloppy strikes from Dragneel. Those never looked like landing.
Dragneel lands with a shot to the body.
Dragneel scores with a leg kick.
Rivers misses with a straight right.
Rivers drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Dragneel connects with a single shot there.
Rivers rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dragneel moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Dragneel slips a jab from Rivers.
Dragneel misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dragneel takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Rivers missing with a left hand there. Dragneel was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rivers looks to land a right hand but Dragneel moved out of range.
Rivers missing with a left hand there. Dragneel was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Dragneel misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivers misses with a straight right.
Rivers staying out of range there.
A big left from Rivers misses.
Dragneel lands the left hand.
Rivers slips a jab and a cross from Dragneel.
A left lands for Rivers.
Rivers thows a left - swing and a miss!
As Rivers backs away, Dragneel returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Dragneel fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Dragneel throws a sloppy head kick and Rivers moves out of range easily.
Rivers takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Rivers tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Dragneel paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rivers throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Dragneel sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Dragneel swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Dragneel throws out a loose jab but Rivers uses good head movement to avoid it.
A little jabbing left from Rivers on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Dragneel misses the shot to the body.

Rivers shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Dragneel's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rivers distracts Dragneel with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivers is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Rivers wants to control from the top but Dragneel keeps moving.
Dragneel wants to stand but Rivers is controlling the position.
Rivers lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Dragneel trying to strike off his back.
Dragneel keeping moving, preventing Rivers from controlling successfully.
Rivers lands a couple of elbows.
Rivers keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Dragneel's head.
Rivers has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rivers postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Rivers with a nice head shot there.
Dragneel wants to stand and escape but Rivers is having none of it.
Rivers keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Dragneel's head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Natsu Dragneel will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Rivers throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rivers throws a right hand that misses
and Dragneel counters with a stiff right hand.
Rivers stuns Dragneel with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Rivers misses with a hook. Dragneel ducked under it nicely.
A little feinted left hand from Dragneel on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rivers throws a looping overhand right but Dragneel ducks down to avoid it.
Rivers throws a series of punches but Dragneel avoids them all with ease.
A right-left combo lands from Dragneel.
Natsu Dragneel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rivers shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Dragneel as he avoids it easily.
Dragneel swings for the body but Rivers moves out of range.
Nice body punch from Dragneel.
The fighters circling - Rivers throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Dragneel staying out of range there.
Dragneel scores with a decent looking hook.
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!
Rivers takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Rivers misses with an uppercut.
Dragneel missing with a left hand there. Rivers was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Dragneel drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivers throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Dragneel sees it coming and avoids it easily.
It looked like Dragneel wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Rivers takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Dragneel lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Dragneel lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Rivers is rocked!
Rivers avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rivers let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Rivers is still on wobbly legs! Can Dragneel finish him?
Some bone on bone action there as Dragneel checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Dragneel appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Rivers seems to have recovered his senses.
Rivers misses with a straight left.
Rivers's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Dragneel takes a jab right on the kisser.
Rivers walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Nice body punch from Rivers.
Dragneel fails to land with a series of punches.
Rivers slips under a jab from Dragneel.
Rivers throws a shot from downtown. Dragneel moves away and avoids it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rivers throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Dragneel sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rivers misses with a straight right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dragneel lands a head kick. Rivers smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Rivers throws a leg kick but Dragneel sees it coming and moves out of range.
A big right from Rivers misses.
Rivers tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Dragneel paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Some wild striking there from Dragneel.
Dragneel keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rivers.
Dragneel looks to land a left hand but Rivers moved out of range nicely.
Dragneel lands with a straight right. Rivers didn't see that one coming.
Rivers takes one to the side of the head.

Dragneel lands a left and a right that send Rivers crashing to the mat, dazed. Dragneel thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!
Dragneel fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Rivers stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Rivers tried to score with a low kick but Dragneel checks it.
Rivers looks to land a combination but Dragneel avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivers misses with an uppercut. Dragneel saw that one coming.
Dragneel tests Rivers's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nice uppercut there from Dragneel.
Rivers misses with the combination.
The fighters circling - Rivers throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rivers fails with an attempt to clinch.
Natsu Dragneel is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Dragneel scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Dragneel throws a right and a left that Rivers avoids nicely.
Rivers throws an overhand right that lands on Dragneel's shoulder, as Dragneel tries to avoid the shot.
Rivers ducks right into an uppercut from Dragneel.
Dragneel misses with a straight left.
Rivers is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Dragneel.
Dragneel is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Dragneel swings and misses with a hook to the body.
An inside leg kick lands from Dragneel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rivers jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Clint Rivers has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rivers digs a good body shot into Dragneel's ribs.
Dragneel with a nice calf kick.
Rivers connects with a looping right hand.
Dragneel misses with a hook.
Dragneel connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Dragneel circles away from the clinch attempt
and Dragneel counters with a nice uppercut.
Rivers's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Dragneel connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Rivers scrambles back to his feet.
Sloppy strikes from Dragneel. Those never looked like landing.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dragneel throws out a powerful jab.
Rivers tries to bum rush Dragneel with a series of wild strikes but Dragneel uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Dragneel lunges at Rivers with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Rivers's hand.
Dragneel digs a good hook to Rivers's body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Natsu Dragneel showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Dragneel, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Natsu Dragneel!
Natsu Dragneel decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.