PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Billy Riley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rob Salek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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?

Riley
vs
Salek

172 cm
21
140 lbs
3 - 9 - 0

160 cm
24
137 lbs
10 - 21 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Billy Riley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 21 - 0, fighting out of London, Rob Salek!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Donald Grub and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Salek tries to clinch
and Riley connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Riley fails with the takedown
and Salek counters with a flying knee. Nice.

Riley shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Riley prevents Salek from standing back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Riley looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Riley is keen to just control but Salek is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riley uses his free foot to push down on Salek's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Salek.
Riley will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Riley stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
An inside leg kick from Riley misses.
Salek stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Salek wants it to stay on the feet.

Riley shoots in and gets a takedown into Salek's guard.
Riley forces his way into half guard.

Riley wants to work for an arm triangle but Salek is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Riley is keen to just control but Salek is a slippery customer.
Riley trying to pass the guard but Salek defending well.

Riley seems to be working for a kimura but Salek defends the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riley takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Salek is defending against the submission attempts here by Riley.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Riley seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Riley looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Salek is refusing to be controlled, as Riley sits in half guard.

Riley stands up and beckons Salek to join him on the feet.
Salek looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Riley closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Riley is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Salek has escaped the position, nice work there.
Salek tries to escape but Riley is in control.

Riley tries for a kimura but Salek is defending well.
Salek is not content to let Riley control the position.
Salek really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Riley. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Riley landing a few strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Riley thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Riley wants to control but Salek is keeping him busy.
Riley lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Salek down.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Riley scoring with punches and elbows.
Riley lands a nice forearm strike.
Riley lands a few punches from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Riley dominated that round.
That's time! Riley's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Riley closes the distance and clinches.
Riley is trying to break free.
Salek prevents Riley from breaking the clinch.

Riley pulls guard successfully.
Riley is pulling down on Salek's head. It's preventing any offense from Salek, at least for the moment.
Salek is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Riley manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Riley misses with a takedown
and Salek counters with a nice low kick that buckles Riley's knee momentarily.
Salek tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Riley counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Riley postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Salek is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Riley, into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riley manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Salek manages to get himself to full guard.
Riley prevents Salek from getting back to his feet.
Riley with a flurry of punches that miss.

Riley stands and steps away. Salek gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riley misses with a jab, cross combination.

Riley moves into the clinch.
Riley is looking to break free of the clinch but Salek has double underhooks.
Riley lands an uppercut.
Riley tries to break the clinch but Salek is controlling the position.
Riley throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Saleks head.

Riley has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Salek regains guard immediately.
Salek has momentary wrist control but Riley slips an elbow through the middle.

Riley drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Salek dives on top into guard.
Riley pulls Salek in to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riley manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Salek in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Salek wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.

Riley jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Salek manages to avoid the submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Riley is putting a hurting on Salek here, landing some big shots from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Riley dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Riley misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Riley gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Salek counters with a slapping leg kick.

Riley gets the takedown into side control.
Salek is looking to get back to his feet here but Riley is keeping cool and he's managed to take Salek's back.
Riley throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Riley is looking to control Salek but Salek is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Salek trying to get back to his feet but Riley is in full control for now.

Riley has his arm under Salek's chin here. Game over son! Riley squeezes tightly and Salek is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:04 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Billy Riley!