PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dru Rivers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josie Jo Ford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ford has chosen Mötley Crüe - Wild Side as his entrance music. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Rivers
vs
Jo Ford

188 cm
27
195 lbs
11 - 0 - 0

194 cm
23
198 lbs
12 - 2 - 1

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
KO power

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dru Rivers!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Josie Jo Ford!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Aafke Stam and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ford scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Ford misses with an attempted mid kick.
Ford ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rivers moves away.
Ford misses with a low kick.
Rivers just misses with a punch to the body.
Rivers works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Ford blocks the body kick.
Josie Jo Ford seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ford bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Ford misses with a low kick as Rivers jumps back.
Ford connects with a jab.
Rivers throws a leg kick
and Ford counters with an outside leg kick.
Rivers takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Rivers throws an off balance right hand
and Rivers takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rivers throws a body kick that misses.
Ford takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ford fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Ford misses with a right hand
and Rivers counters with a leg kick.
Rivers takes a swing at Ford's ribcage but misses.
Ford missing with a left hand there. Rivers was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rivers's jab looks to have found its range, popping Ford under the eye.

It looks like Josie Jo Ford has been cut.
Rivers on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Ford misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rivers looks to land a body kick but Ford moved away.
A shot to the liver by Rivers. Beautiful body shot.
Ford throws a head kick but Rivers moves out of range.
Rivers takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Ford pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivers throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Rivers chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ford can pounce on him.
Ford rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Rivers counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A low kick from Ford is predictable there
and Rivers counters with a good, hard body kick but Ford shrugs it off.
Ford looks gassed!
Rivers misses with a leg kick
and Ford counters with a leg kick.
Rivers throws a lazy body kick
letting Ford counter with a right hand.
Rivers misses with a leg kick.
Rivers lands with a nice body kick.
Ford swings widly with a right hand
and Rivers cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ford misses the shot to the body.
Ford misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Rivers finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Ford uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rivers.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivers throws a nice inside leg kick.
Ford avoids a kick to the body.
Rivers throws a push kick but Ford slaps the foot to one side.
Rivers misses with a double jab
and Ford counters with a solid body kick.
Ford will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Ford fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Rivers checks it well.
Ford misses with a low kick.
A jab from Ford does it's job there.
Ford avoids a kick to the body.
Ford throws a lazy body kick
and Rivers counters with a thumping low kick.
Rivers tests Ford's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Rivers.
Nice shot lands for Ford.
Rivers looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rivers misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rivers throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Rivers cracks the inside of Ford's front leg.
Ford uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rivers.
Ford moves out of range of the body kick from Rivers.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ford finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Rivers delivers a nice body kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rivers swings away with a leg kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dru Rivers dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Josie Jo Ford's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ouch! a nice leg kick from Rivers, right into the meat.
Rivers swings for the body but Ford moves out of range.
Ford swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rivers fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Rivers throws a body punch but Ford moves out of range.
Rivers throws a wild body kick that Ford sees coming a mile off.
Ford takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Rivers throws a leg kick but Ford sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ford tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Rivers lands a jab to Ford's midsection.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rivers scores with a spinning back kick!
Ford is breathing heavily.
Ford walks into a straight right hand from Rivers.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ford thows a leg kick but Rivers checks it
and Rivers counters with a thumping low kick.
Good work by Ford as he checks the leg kick.
Rivers fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ford manages to avoid it.
Rivers throws a body kick that misses.
Ford tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Rivers cracks the inside of Ford's front leg.
Rivers lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Rivers lands with a kick to the ribs.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Rivers.
Ford misses with a straight right.
Ford takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rivers fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivers fakes the leg kick and cracks Ford in the body.
Rivers lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Rivers throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ford stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Ford steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Rivers. That one must have hurt.
Rivers shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Rivers is looking to land body kicks.
Ford moves away from the strike by Rivers.
Ford swings for the body but Rivers moves out of range.
Ford throws a right hand that misses
and Rivers connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ford throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Rivers fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ford has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivers fakes the leg kick and cracks Ford in the body.
Rivers throws a front kick aimed at Ford's knee but Ford avoids it well.
Rivers lands with a nice body punch.
That kick from Rivers tenderised Ford's leg. Ford is trying to keep his angry face on.
Rivers connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Ford takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
A chopping leg kick lands by Rivers.
Ford moves out of range as Rivers throws a body kick.
Ford bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rivers misses with a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivers connects with a leg kick. Ford looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
A big right from Rivers misses.
Ford misses with a body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ford looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ford takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ford uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rivers.
Ford ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rivers looks to land a left hand but Ford moved out of range nicely.
Rivers is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ford can do to turn this around?
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rivers lands a nice looking kick to the body. Ford takes a step back to recover.
Rivers misses with a wild body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dru Rivers dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Josie Jo Ford's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ford chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rivers can pounce on him.
Rivers pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Ford waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rivers.
Rivers tries to land a front kick but Ford steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Rivers throws a body kick that misses.
Rivers throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Rivers lands a nice looking kick to the body. Ford takes a step back to recover.
Rivers misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ford.
Rivers throws a quick inside leg kick.
Ford takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ford throws a leg kick
and Rivers cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rivers throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ford misses with a kick to the body
and Rivers counters with a body kick.
Rivers throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Ford has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Rivers.
Ford misses with a leg kick
and Rivers counters with a thumping low kick.
Ford throws the kick towards the body but Rivers avoids it.
Rivers throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Ford misses with a double jab.
Rivers lands with a right hand.
Rivers throws a leg kick
and Ford counters with a stiff right hand.
Ford tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rivers on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ford. Ford obviously looking to wear him down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ford misses with a leg kick
and Rivers counters with a nice low kick that buckles Ford's knee momentarily.
Rivers throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ford blocks the body kick.
Ford throws a lazy uppercut
and Rivers cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Dru Rivers is winning the standup battle so far.
Rivers looks for the body kick but Ford saw that one coming.
Rivers throws a front kick aimed at Ford's knee but Ford avoids it well.
Rivers is looking to land body kicks.
Rivers throws a push kick but Ford slaps the foot to one side.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rivers.
Ford scoring well with a low kick there.
Rivers checks the leg kick nicely there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ford takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ford blocks the body kick.
Ford throws a series of punches but Rivers avoids them all with ease.
Rivers fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ford has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ford stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rivers.
Ford takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A nice leg kick lands there from Rivers.
Rivers pivots, looking for a leg kick but Ford is out of range and Rivers settles back down.
Rivers takes one to the chin there.
Ford's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Ford scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Rivers throws a low kick but Ford avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A cross from Rivers lands.
Ford on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Ford throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Rivers counters with a left to the body.
Rivers swings for the body but Ford moves out of range.
Rivers throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ford lands a jab to Rivers's midsection.
Ford throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Rivers tries to land a body kick
and Ford counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ford takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ford avoids a kick to the body.
Rivers misses with a body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dru Rivers clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Josie Jo Ford's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A lazy body kick from Rivers
and Ford counters with a straight right hand.
Ford smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Rivers takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Ford tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ford lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rivers's sensitive parts.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Ford might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Rivers has got the better of the exchanges.
Rivers misses with a leg kick
and Ford counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Rivers on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ford. Ford obviously looking to wear him down.
Ford ducks under a wild hook from Rivers.
Rivers uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ford.
Rivers swings for the body but Ford moves out of range.
Ford avoids a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivers ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Rivers.
Rivers chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ford can pounce on him.
Ford connects with a leg kick. Rivers looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Ford thows a leg kick but Rivers checks it
and Rivers counters with a good low kick that Ford was not able to check.
Ford loads up on a big right hand but Rivers slips the punch.
Rivers bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Both fighters circling a little - Rivers finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Ford is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
A chopping leg kick lands by Rivers.
Rivers is looking to land body kicks.
Ford looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ford misses with a right hand
and Rivers counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rivers uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ford.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ford.
Rivers throws the kick towards the body but Ford avoids it.
Ford lunges at Rivers with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Rivers's hand.
Rivers takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Ford swings and misses with a hook to the body.
An inside leg kick from Ford misses.
Rivers throws the kick towards the body but Ford avoids it.
Ford scores with a crisp jab that stopped Rivers in his tracks.
Rivers drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ford jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Ford misses with an uppercut.
Rivers throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ford takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ford throws a leg kick
and Rivers counters with a body kick.
Rivers looks for the body kick but Ford saw that one coming.
Ford misses with a leg kick
and Rivers counters with a leg kick.
Rivers lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Ford fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rivers manages to avoid it.
Rivers throws a body kick that misses.
Rivers throws the left hand but Ford avoids the punch easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivers misses with a leg kick
and Ford counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ford lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ford avoids a kick to the body.
Rivers lands with a kick to the ribs.
Ford throws a lazy uppercut
and Rivers counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Ford looks to throw the jab but Rivers is out of range.
Rivers buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ford looks to throw a body kick
and Rivers counters with a stiff right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rivers with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Rivers wants to land a leg kick but Ford is out of range.
Rivers throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dru Rivers had his way with Josie Jo Ford in that round.
The cut man is working on Josie Jo Ford's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Rivers scores with a sloppy right hand. Ford should have avoided that one.
Rivers misses with a kick to the body.
Ford keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rivers dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ford. That did some damage!
Rivers waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ford.
Rivers scores with a body shot.
Rivers lands a nice looking body kick.
Ford is looking to score with low kicks.
Ford is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
A chopping leg kick lands by Rivers.
Ford steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Rivers. That one must have hurt.
Ford takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivers misses with the body kick
and Ford counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rivers thinking.
A thudding body kick lands there by Rivers!
Rivers is looking to slow Ford down with leg kicks.
Rivers fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ford has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ford throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rivers moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rivers with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Rivers lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Ford has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Ford and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Rivers moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rivers throws the kick towards the body but Ford avoids it.
Rivers looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Rivers with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Josie Jo Ford has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ford checks a low kick from Rivers.
Rivers looks to land a body kick but Ford moved away.
Rivers scores with a jab.
Rivers scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ford.
Ford misses with an uppercut
and Rivers counters with a nice low kick that buckles Ford's knee momentarily.
Ford tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ford throws a right hand that misses
and Rivers counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Rivers swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Rivers fakes the leg kick and cracks Ford in the body.
Rivers tries to land a body kick
letting Ford counter with a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivers misses with an attempted mid kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rivers.
Rivers goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Nice body kick there by Rivers.
Rivers lands a right hook to the body.
Rivers lands with a right hand.
Rivers throws a chopping leg kick but Ford manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Rivers scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ford doesn't seem bothered though.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Rivers.
Rivers with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ford avoids a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivers throws a body kick that misses.
Rivers misses with a straight right.
Ford moves out of range of the body kick.
A lazy body kick from Rivers
letting Ford counter with a right hand.
Rivers connects with a solid leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rivers.
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 lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Rivers swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Rivers.
Rivers takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Rivers scores with a decent looking hook.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dru Rivers showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Rivers 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 50:44
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 50:44
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 50:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dru Rivers!
Dru Rivers retains his middleweight title!