PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between James Smith (ranked 4663 p4p, 4300 weight class) and Antonio Rivera (ranked 309 p4p, 297 weight class). Antonio Rivera will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Smith
vs
Rivera

150 cm
25
145
1 - 1 - 0

173 cm
25
150
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Enjoys gardening

BANZAI COMBAT NUTRITION

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, James Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Antonio Rivera!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Sosuke Kotani and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Rivera.
Rivera trying to control the action but Smith is working from the bottom.

Rivera is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Smith is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Smith wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Rivera looks up at the clock and then as Smith takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Rivera smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Smith knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rivera on the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rivera tries to move into full mount but can't pass Smith's legs.
Smith wants to get back to his feet.

Rivera goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Smith has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Rivera but great work by Smith.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Smith's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Smith looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Rivera with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Smith is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Smith wants to stand but Rivera has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Rivera tries to get to full guard but Smith has control of the leg.
Rivera trying to control from the bottom.
Smith wants to stand up but Rivera has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Smith wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rivera keeps working.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Smith lands a nice short elbow.
Rivera is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Smith seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Smith really is a fat lump.
Rivera is trying to get back to full guard.

Smith is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rivera is just riding it out for now. Smith eventually gives up the hold.
Smith takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Rivera is not content to let Smith control the position.
Rivera keeping control of the position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to control but Rivera is keeping him busy.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Smith gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Rivera to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Rivera stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Smith swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rivera wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.
Smith is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Smith tries to stand but can't do so whilst Rivera controls his leg.
Smith stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rivera has hold of a guillotine but he's not going to be able to crank on it really with only half guard, so it's no trouble for Smith. Oh but Rivera has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! Smith goes limp - he's gone! Rivera jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:24 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Antonio Rivera!