PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Francis Stark (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aaron Rivers (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?

Stark
vs
Rivers

189 cm
24
197 lbs
5 - 2 - 1

185 cm
29
195 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Francis Stark!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Aaron Rivers!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stark lands a glancing blow to the side of Rivers's head.
Francis Stark seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rivers walks into a left hand.
Rivers has a takedown stuffed.
Rivers takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Rivers uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stark.
Stark misses with a double jab
and Rivers counters with a low kick, right behind Stark 's knee.
Stark misses with a wild combination.
Stark throws a right hand that Rivers ducks under and follows up with a left that Rivers also avoids with ease.
Rivers wants to clinch up but Stark keeps it at a distance.
Rivers uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stark.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stark scores with a three punch combo!
Stark misses with a wild body shot.
Stark lands a nice looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stark scores with a three punch combo!
Stark throws a low kick but Rivers avoids it.
Stark throws a right and a left that both miss.
Some wild striking there from Rivers.
Stark scores with a decent looking hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rivers misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Stark lands a really nice looking cross but Rivers seems unphased.
Stark thows a leg kick but Rivers checks it
and Rivers counters with an outside leg kick.
Stark throws a right and a left that both miss.
Stark tries to bum rush Rivers with a series of wild strikes but Rivers uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Stark throws a nice looking combination but Rivers bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Stark throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stark misses with a double jab

and Rivers counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rivers.

Stark breaks from the clinch.
Rivers moves out of range of the body kick from Stark.
Stark throws a shot to the body.
Rivers takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

Rivers fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Stark to the ground. Rivers is now in Stark's guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Rivers wants to control from the top but Stark keeps moving.
Stark being controlled here, momentarily.
Rivers trying to control the position from guard on top but Stark is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivers trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Stark is controlling Rivers's posture.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Aaron Rivers wasn't active enough on the ground.
Sloppy strikes from Stark. Those never looked like landing.
A punch combination from Stark misses.
Nice uppercut lands for Stark. That snapped Rivers's head back.
Rivers slips under a jab from Stark.

Rivers drives through and clinches with Stark against the cage.

Stark's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rivers fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stark manages to avoid it.
Stark misses with a leg kick
and Rivers makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Stark swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Rivers counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stark swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Rivers counters with a low kick, right behind Stark 's knee.
Stark circles away from the clinch attempt.
Stark misses with a body shot.
Stark throws a nice looking combination but Rivers bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stark digs a good body shot into Rivers's ribs.
Stark lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Francis Stark is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rivers dodges the punch combination from Stark.
Stark stuffs the takedown attempt from Rivers. Rivers gets slowly back to his feet.
Francis Stark has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aaron Rivers.
Stark takes a head kick and keeps coming.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stark throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Stark gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Rivers forces his way into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Francis Stark dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Stark misses with a two punch combination.
Rivers keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rivers shoots in for a takedown but Stark shows good takedown defense.
Rivers swings for the body but Stark moves out of range.
Rivers takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Sloppy strikes from Rivers. Those never looked like landing.
Stark blocks a leg kick.
Rivers tries to clinch but Stark moves out of range.
Rivers shoots in but no luck this time.
Stark lands a nice hook to Rivers's body. Rivers takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Rivers is breathing heavily.
Danga de danga de dang - Stark scores with a four punch combination!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stark throws a series of punches but Rivers avoids them all with ease.
Left hook, right uppercut from Stark.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stark cracks Rivers with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Rivers looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Stark finish him?

Rivers is rocked!
Stark misses with a few strikes there.
Rivers is still on wobbly legs! Can Stark finish him?
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stark throws a nice looking combination but Rivers bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rivers seems to have recovered his senses.
Stark is looking to wear down Rivers with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

Stark drops Rivers with a beautiful combination! Rivers stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Stark is looking for the KO!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rivers.
Francis Stark has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aaron Rivers.
Stark throws a low kick but Rivers avoids it.
I'm just looking down at my notes here and I see that.... oh! Stark has cracked Rivers with a big right, followed by a left! He's out on his feet! Stark lands another huge swinging hook and Rivers tumbles to the canvas! The ref dives in to save Rivers, before Stark can land any more shots!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:44 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Francis Stark!
A less than humble Francis Stark misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.