PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Augustin Cyphero (ranked 6129 p4p, 3661 weight class) and Phil Rivers (ranked 636 p4p, 475 weight class). Cyphero's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Αθήνα μου - Konstantinos Argiros. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Cyphero
vs
Rivers

180 cm
18
171
0 - 1 - 0

177 cm
19
170
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Aloha Nutrition

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Augustin Cyphero!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Phil Rivers!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Steve Montenegro and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Donk. Rivers catches Cyphero right on the button with a cross.
Rivers misses with an uppercut.
The crowd cheers as Rivers lands an impressive looking overhand right. Cyphero doesn't seem phased though.
Cyphero looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Rivers looks to throw the jab but Cyphero is out of range.
Rivers misses with a straight left.
Cyphero was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
A telegraphed right hand from Cyphero misses the target.
The fighters circle momentarily. Rivers darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Rivers scores with a sloppy right hand. Cyphero should have avoided that one.
Rivers throws the left hand but Cyphero avoids the punch easily.
Cyphero was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Cyphero avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rivers ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cyphero moves away.
Cyphero steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rivers.
A slow jab from Rivers misses its intended target.
Cyphero moves away from the strike by Rivers.
Cyphero slips a jab from Rivers.
Cyphero takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivers connects with a looping right hand.
Rivers scores with a nice head shot.
Cyphero keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rivers.
Phil Rivers seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rivers lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Rivers uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cyphero.
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.
Cyphero misses with a hook. Rivers ducked under it nicely.
Cyphero steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rivers.
A counter left hand to the body from Cyphero misses its target.
Rivers lands with an overhand left.
A big left from Rivers misses.
Donk. Rivers catches Cyphero right on the button with a cross.
Cyphero bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A little feinted left hand from Cyphero on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A combination from Rivers does no damage.
Rivers misses with the combination.
Cyphero ducks under a wild hook from Rivers.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cyphero's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Rivers connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Cyphero scrambles back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivers connects with a single shot there.
Rivers looks to land a right hand but Cyphero moved out of range.
A swing and a miss from Rivers.
Cyphero swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
A slow jab from Cyphero misses its intended target.
Rivers throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cyphero sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Cyphero throws a big shot that misses.
Cyphero ducks under a wild hook from Rivers.
Rivers bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cyphero defending well as Rivers loads up on a big left hand.
Rivers keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
A swing and a miss from Rivers.
Rivers has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Cyphero is landing a low percentage of strikes.
A jab from Rivers does it's job there.
Rivers ducks under a wild hook from Cyphero.
Cyphero dodges the punch combination from Rivers.
Cyphero throwing a counter right hand but Rivers manages to avoid it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rivers lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Rivers swinging wildly here.
Cyphero was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Cyphero walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Rivers catches Cyphero with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Rivers throws a lazy right hand but Cyphero sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rivers waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cyphero.
A little feinted left hand from Cyphero on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rivers lands the left hand.
Rivers lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cyphero waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rivers.
Rivers has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cyphero misses with a body shot.
Rivers is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Rivers misses with an uppercut.
Cyphero needs to keep his hands up - Rivers had a free shot at his head there.
Cyphero looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivers bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rivers looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Cyphero uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rivers.
A telegraphed right hand from Rivers misses the target.
Rivers throws a wild body kick that Cyphero sees coming a mile off.
Cyphero appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Rivers rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Cyphero to counter with a crisp jab.
Cyphero displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rivers throws out the jab.
A big right from Cyphero misses.
Cyphero blocks a jab.
Rivers misses with a body shot
and Cyphero counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rivers misses with a straight right.
Cyphero takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Jab by Cyphero.
Rivers lands a nice shot that snaps Cyphero's head back.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rivers pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Cyphero back to the cage. Rivers follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Rivers waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cyphero.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cyphero staying out of range there.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Cyphero might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Cyphero moves out of range of the strikes.
Cyphero swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Rivers throws a hook but Cyphero avoids it easily.
Rivers slips under a jab from Cyphero.
Rivers jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A counter left hand to the body from Cyphero misses its target.
Cyphero on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A punch lands to the side of Cyphero 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Rivers ducks under a wild hook from Cyphero.
Cyphero walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Rivers misses with a hook
and Cyphero counters with a nice uppercut.
Rivers misses with an uppercut. Cyphero saw that one coming.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cyphero moves out of range as Rivers strikes.
Cyphero is looking to counter punch.
Rivers throws a shot from downtown. Cyphero moves away and avoids it.
Cyphero throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rivers sees it coming and avoids it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Phil Rivers showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Rivers's jab looks to have found its range, popping Cyphero under the eye.
Phil Rivers is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Rivers lands a jab.
Rivers throws a jab when Cyphero was well out of range.
Rivers uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Cyphero has time to react.
Good exchange - Rivers coming out on top.
Cyphero takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Rivers paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Rivers throws a sloppy body shot
and Cyphero counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Cyphero ducks under a wild hook from Rivers.
Cyphero swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Cyphero displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rivers throws out the jab.
Rivers throws a shot from downtown. Cyphero moves away and avoids it.
Jab, jab by Rivers - just one landing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A jab from Rivers misses.
Cyphero is looking to counter punch.
Cyphero defending well as Rivers loads up on a big left hand.
Rivers misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cyphero misses with a looping right.
Rivers throws a poor cross that misses
and Cyphero cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rivers uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cyphero.
Cyphero throws a looping overhand right but Rivers ducks down to avoid it.
Cyphero uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rivers.
Rivers throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rivers moves out of range of the strikes.
Rivers takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
A swing and a miss from Cyphero.
Rivers scores with a body shot.
Cyphero moves out of range as Rivers strikes.
Cyphero bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cyphero avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
It looked like Cyphero wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Cyphero moves out of range as Rivers strikes.
Cyphero is looking to counter punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivers jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rivers scores with a jab to the head.
A big left from Rivers misses.
Cyphero ducks under a wild hook from Rivers.
Rivers ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rivers throws a shot from downtown. Cyphero moves away and avoids it.
Cyphero moves out of range of the strikes.
Cyphero is looking to counter punch.

Rivers changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Cyphero looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Rivers happy to just control the position for now.
Cyphero is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Cyphero struggling a bit here.
Augustin Cyphero has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cyphero is trying to escape the position but Rivers is controlling the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Phil Rivers comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rivers has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Phil Rivers!