PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Aiko San (ranked 596 p4p, 274 weight class) and Clint Rivers (ranked 93 p4p, 44 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

San
vs
Rivers

178 cm
33
158
21 - 9 - 0

172 cm
27
170
16 - 7 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Mythical Fighter
Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Aiko San!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Clint Rivers!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rivers circles away from the clinch attempt.
A little jabbing left from Rivers on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Rivers throws a jab but it's blocked by San.

Rivers drives through and clinches with San against the cage.
Rivers's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
San misses with some punches.
Rivers has San pressed against the cage, preventing San from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
San misses with some punches.

Rivers works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
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.
Rivers stands and throws San's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rivers scoring with punches from side control.
Rivers has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rivers avoids the strikes from the bottom by San.
Rivers blocks the strikes from San.
San on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if San tries to get out of the position.
Rivers wants to control but San is keeping him busy.
San tries to strike but it doesn't land.
Rivers scoring with punches from side control.

Rivers is trying to get an arm triangle but San is defending well.
San's coaches at Sol União Elite Alliance of Fighters have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rivers scores with punches from side control.

Rivers tries for a kimura but San is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
San striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Rivers scores with a couple of short elbows.
San tries to buck Rivers off but Rivers is having none of it.
San sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
San on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Rivers is keen to just control but San is a slippery customer.
San tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Rivers seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but San does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
San throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Rivers keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
San misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Rivers blocks the strikes from San.
Nice strikes from Rivers there.
Nice strikes from Rivers there.
Rivers lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Still in half guard, Rivers seems content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivers is nestled in close to San, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Rivers blocks the strikes from San.
Rivers working over San with some ground and pound. San looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
San throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Rivers is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
San missing with punches from the bottom.
San taking some punishment here, with Rivers in his half guard.
San moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
San throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
San thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Rivers landing some decent shots from guard.
Rivers with a nice head shot there.
San looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Rivers puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Rivers slips a nice elbow through San's hands, connecting with San's forehead.

San is rocked!
Rivers landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Oh San is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rivers lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Ground and pound from Rivers.
Rivers lands a big elbow - San is out of it! He's waving his arms around but his eyes are closed and he's not intelligently defending himself - the ref has no choice but to jump in and stop the fight! This one is in the books! A TKO win for Rivers!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Clint Rivers!
Clint Rivers took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Conviction for their support in the buildup to the fight.