PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Manuel Rios (ranked 2230 p4p, 2086 weight class) and Horacio Sadaval (ranked 291 p4p, 278 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Sadaval's choice of entrance music: Prohibido Olvidar. Horacio Sadaval has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rios
vs
Sadaval

187 cm
25
193
2 - 3 - 0

186 cm
24
197
6 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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Furnace Performance 🔥

Shadow Realm Apparel
FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Manuel Rios!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Horacio Sadaval!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Trevor Gratis and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sadaval darts in looking for a takedown but Rios gets double underhooks and turns Sadaval into the cage.
Rios throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sadaval tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Rios defends well and Sadaval ends up having to push Rios into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Sadaval tries to close the distance and clinch but Rios swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sadaval closes the distance and clinches up with Rios, looking for a takedown. Sadaval pushes Rios against the cage but Rios circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Manuel Rios has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Horacio Sadaval.
Sadaval tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Rios defends well and Sadaval ends up having to push Rios into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Sadaval has Rios up against the cage in a clinch.
Sadaval has Rios pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rios manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Sadaval wants the takedown. Rios is fighting it off but Sadaval persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Rios's guard against the cage.
Rios wants to stand but Sadaval is controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sadaval gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Rios misses with a hook.
A little jabbing left from Sadaval on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Sadaval shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rios pinned against the cage. Rios gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sadaval darts in looking for a takedown but Rios gets double underhooks and turns Sadaval into the cage.
Sadaval fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rios avoids it really well and circles away.
Rios throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sadaval closes the distance and clinches up with Rios, looking for a takedown. Sadaval pushes Rios against the cage but Rios circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rios misses with a hook. Sadaval ducked under it nicely.
Sadaval changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Rios defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sadaval.
Sadaval tries to clinch but Rios moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sadaval keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rios swats away the attempt to clinch by Sadaval.
Sadaval fails with the takedown.
Rios catches Sadaval with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Rios connects with a right hand. Sadaval shakes it off.

Sadaval closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Rios to the mat! Rios manages to get full guard.

Rios scrambles and gets back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rios just misses with a punch to the body.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Sadaval.

Sadaval stands up and beckons Rios to his feet.
Horacio Sadaval seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sadaval moves into range and clinches up with Rios.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Sadaval takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Sadaval breaks the clinch.
Rios throws out a loose jab but Sadaval uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sadaval is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
We've been told by Rios's head coaches at Tran MMA Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Sadaval misses with a takedown attempt - Rios sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rios just misses with a punch to the body.
Rios throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sadaval with a jab.
Sadaval shoots in for a takedown but Rios shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Rios misses.
Sadaval throws out a counter right but Rios avoids it with no problem.
Rios ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sadaval moves away.

Rios gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Sadaval to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Rios is looking to stand up but Sadaval isn't so interested in that idea.

Sadaval stands up and waves to Rios to follow him.
Rios throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Sadaval to counter with a crisp jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sadaval staying out of range there.
Rios throws a body shot but no joy.
Sadaval is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Rios scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Manuel Rios dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Rios defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sadaval.
Rios tries to bum rush Sadaval with a series of wild strikes but Sadaval uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sadaval tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rios manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Some wild striking there from Rios.
Rios scores with the left hand. Sadaval knows he should have avoided that one.
A swing and a miss from Rios.
Sadaval defending well as Rios loads up on a big left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sadaval shoots in for a takedown but Rios shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sadaval misses with a takedown attempt - Rios sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Manuel Rios has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Horacio Sadaval.
Rios throws an overhand right that lands on Sadaval's shoulder, as Sadaval tries to avoid the shot.
Rios displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sadaval.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rios misses with a hook.
And Sadaval tries to counter it with a takedown but Rios pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Rios throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Sadaval staying out of range there.

Sadaval looking to score a takedown here. Rios is defending well but Sadaval drives through and ends up in Rios's guard.

Sadaval stands up and waves to Rios to follow him.
Sadaval slips under a jab.
Rios is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sadaval can do to turn this around?
Sadaval shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rios but Rios pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rios defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sadaval.
Rios scores with a jab. Sadaval acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Sadaval shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sadaval looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rios throws a one two combo.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rios is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sadaval.

Sadaval scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Rios throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sadaval.
Rios throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rios misses with a looping left.
Sadaval tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Rios keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Sadaval scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rios stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rios wants it to stay on the feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sadaval.
Sadaval takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Sadaval avoids the body shot from Rios.
And Sadaval tries to counter it with a takedown but Rios pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sadaval or perhaps it was just good defense by Rios, which made it look bad.
Rios looks to throw the jab but Sadaval is out of range.
Sadaval tries to clinch but Rios is having none of it.
Nice sprawl there from Rios as Sadaval shoots in.
Rios stuffs the takedown.
Sadaval avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sadaval has managed to clinch.
Rios tries to break free but Sadaval pushes him back against the cage.
Sadaval tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rios's elbow.
Sadaval working aggressively here.
Rios is trying to break free.

Sadaval breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rios shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Manuel Rios is winning the standup battle so far.
A combination from Rios does no damage.
Sadaval slips a jab from Rios.
Rios scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sadaval shoots in for a takedown but Rios shows good takedown defense.
Sadaval closes the distance and clinches up with Rios, looking for a takedown. Sadaval pushes Rios against the cage but Rios circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sadaval fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sadaval takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Manuel Rios dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Rios connects with a crisp jab.
Jab, jab by Rios - just one landing.
Sadaval keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rios.
Rios fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sadaval.
Sadaval fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rios misses with an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rios throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Sadaval is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Rios's half guard.
Horacio Sadaval has got the better of the ground game so far.

Sadaval escapes and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sadaval with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rios to score with a decent uppercut.
Sadaval shoots in for a double leg but Rios sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Rios is looking for a counter combo.
Manuel Rios has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Horacio Sadaval.
Sadaval misses with a takedown attempt - Rios sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Manuel Rios is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rios missing with a left hand there. Sadaval was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rios throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rios works over Sadaval's head and body with a nice combination.
Sadaval fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rios avoids it really well and circles away.
Rios rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sadaval moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Manuel Rios is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rios is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sadaval.

Sadaval rushes Rios and presses him up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sadaval has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Rios after a bit of a struggle.
Sadaval digs a right hand into Rios's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Rios's gas tank.
Rios is pressed up against the cage. Sadaval has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rios down to the mat. Rios avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rios throws a lazy right hand but Sadaval sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rios misses with a straight right.
Rios missing with a left hand there. Sadaval was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A shot to the liver by Rios. Beautiful body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sadaval changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rios tries to avoid it but Sadaval manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rios to the ground. Rios escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rios swats away the attempt to clinch by Sadaval.
Sadaval staying out of range there.
Sadaval ducks under a wild hook from Rios.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Rios misses.
Sadaval will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sadaval shoots in looking for a takedown. Rios tries to sprawl out of it but Sadaval keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rios manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sadaval takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sadaval shoots in for a double leg but Rios sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sadaval.

Sadaval looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Rios manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Horacio Sadaval has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sadaval has his takedown stuffed
and Rios cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sadaval closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Rios's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sadaval ducks right into an uppercut from Rios.
Rios lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Sadaval looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
A telegraphed right hand from Rios misses the target.
Rios throws a nice looking combination but Sadaval bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sadaval shoots in and drives through. Rios sprawls well.
Sadaval changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rios tries to avoid it but Sadaval manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rios to the ground. Rios escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sadaval misses with a hook. Rios ducked under it nicely.
Sadaval avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Manuel Rios showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rios, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:27
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Manuel Rios!
Manuel Rios was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.