PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Time To Fight Wright (ranked 1464 p4p, 1442 weight class) and Diego Rios (ranked 209 p4p, 204 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Diego Rios enters the cage!

Wright
vs
Rios

189 cm
23
198
11 - 7 - 0

184 cm
26
195
5 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Un-Kaged Nutrition
Fantasy Threads

Silverguard Outfitters 🛡
Furnace Performance 🔥

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 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Time To Fight Wright!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Diego Rios!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Gregory Folan and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Wright drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Rios managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Wright.
Rios told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.

Rios throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Wright showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rios.
Wright seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Rios misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Wright's corner calls for a 1-2. Wright obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Nice uppercut lands for Wright. That snapped Rios's head back.

It looks like Diego Rios has been cut.
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!
Wright misses with a wild body shot.
Wright will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rios throws a counter combo.
Wright misses with a jab, cross combination.
Wright throws a hook to the side of Rios's head but Rios sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Wright misses the jab.
Wright misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wright misses with a straight left.
Rios attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Wright throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rios lands a leg kick that knocks Wright off balance momentarily.
Rios throws a hook to the side of Wright's head but Wright sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rios thuds his right hand into Wright's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Rios thows a left - swing and a miss!
Wright was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Wright shoots in but no luck this time.
Wright looks to score with a jab to the body but Rios is just out of range.
Rios appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Wright waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rios.
Rios is looking for the big counter here.
Wright throws a poor cross that misses
and Rios counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rios scoring well with a low kick there.
Wright throws a right hand that misses
and Rios counters with a straight right hand.
Wright throws the left hand but Rios avoids the punch easily.
Rios unleashes a big counter combination but Wright bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Wright shoots in looking for a takedown. Rios tries to sprawl out of it but Wright 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.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Time To Fight Wright. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wright shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rios defends it nicely.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Wright throws the left hand but Rios avoids the punch easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Rios! But no joy.
Rios displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Wright.
Nice shot by Wright.
Rios bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Rios smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Rios uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Wright.
Rios throws a right and a left that Wright avoids nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wright throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Rios counters with a three punch combo that has Wright backing up. Wright nods at Rios to acknowledge the strikes.
Rios fails to land with a series of punches.
Wright takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Wright fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rios manages to avoid it.
Wright waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rios.
Wright looks for a takedown but Rios sprawls well.
Rios takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Wright looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Wright shoots in for a takedown but Rios shows good takedown defense.
Rios is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Rios throws a half hearted mid kick.
Wright clobbers Rios with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Rios bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Wright's head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Wright jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wright throws a right and a left that both miss.
Wright looks to land a combination but Rios avoids it well.
Rios pulls out of a head kick attempt.
It looked like Wright wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Rios misses with a two punch combination.
Rios scores with a three punch combo!
Wright gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Rios counters with a series of strikes. Wright will be more careful next time no doubt.
Time To Fight Wright seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rios tries to bum rush Wright with a series of wild strikes but Wright uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Wright bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Rios sneaks out the side door and pushes Wright away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Diego Rios is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rios misses the shot to the body.
Wright slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A swing and a miss from Wright.
Rios throws a right hand that Wright ducks under and follows up with a left that Wright also avoids with ease.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Rios dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Diego Rios's cut.
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 lands with an overhand left.
Wright connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Wright fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rios avoids it really well and circles away.
Wright dodges the punch combination from Rios.
Rios displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Wright.
Rios looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rios fails to land with a series of punches.
A little feinted left hand from Wright on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Diego Rios seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Wright throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Wright shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Rios is trying to defend but Wright finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Rios is staying active underneath Wright, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wright trying to mount his opponent but Rios defends it.
Rios is refusing to be controlled, as Wright sits in half guard.
Wright not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Rios has one foot on Wright's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Jab, jab by Rios - just one landing.
Wright connects with a nice looking jab.
Wright misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Rios looks like he wants to counter punch here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Time To Fight Wright. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Wright misses its intended target.
It seemed like Rios was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Rios takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Rios has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Wright misses with a few strikes there.
Rios doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Rios slips a jab from Wright.
Rios throws a good cross that connects.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Rios!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wright tests Rios's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rios lands a nice hook to Wright's body. Wright takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Wright with a poor takedown
and Rios counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rios looks to land a combination. Wright sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Wright throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Rios tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Wright is in Rios's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wright trying to control the position from guard on top but Rios is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wright sitting in guard here, content to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Wright gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Rios connects with an inside leg kick.
Wright lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Rios backs up against the cage.
Wright takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Wright walks into a jab.
Wright doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rios counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Wright pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rios throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Wright tries to bum rush Rios with a series of wild strikes but Rios uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rios gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Wright.
A punch lands to the side of Wright 's head but he takes it in his stride.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Wright throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rios sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A slow jab from Wright misses its intended target.
Time To Fight Wright is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rios lands with a nice combination. Wright backs away looking to recover.
Rios thuds his right hand into Wright's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Rios connects with a right hand. Wright shakes it off.
Wright ducks right into an uppercut from Rios.
Wright tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Rios defends well and Wright ends up having to push Rios into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Rios breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Wright moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Rios showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Diego Rios's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Rios avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rios tests Wright's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A nice leg kick from Rios, right into the meat of the thigh.
Wright throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Rios counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Wright scores with a nice head shot.
Rios's jab looks to have found its range, popping Wright under the eye.
A jab from Rios does it's job there.
Wright throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rios.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rios lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Rios.
A decent looking cross lands there for Rios.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rios lands a two punch combo.
A punch combination from Rios misses.
Rios lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wright shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rios but Rios pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Wright lands with an uppercut that bounces Rios off the cage and back into range.

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

Wright stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Rios throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rios looks to land a right hand but Wright moved out of range.
Rios lands the left hand.
Wright scores with a nice right hand.
A jab from Rios does it's job there.
Wright avoids the body shot from Rios.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rios keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Wright.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rios jabs Wright to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Good shot there by Rios.
Wright shoots and misses
and Rios counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Wright throws a nice looking combination but Rios bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rios scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Rios works Wright's body with a nice hook.
Rios ducks under a wild hook from Wright.
Wright looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Wright fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Time To Fight Wright. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rios throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Wright is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Wright looks for a takedown but Rios sprawls well.
Rios lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wright throws a series of punches but Rios avoids them all with ease.
Rios throws a right hand that Wright ducks under and follows up with a left that Wright also avoids with ease.
Wright shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rios counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rios throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Wright throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rios sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Time To Fight Wright has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rios scores with a hook to the body. Wright takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Wright slips a jab and a cross from Rios.

Wright darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Rios manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Wright keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Rios pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rios connects with a good right hand that stumbles Wright. Wright circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Wright misses with a hook
and Rios counters with a stiff right hand.
Wright on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Rios throws a hook to the side of Wright's head but Wright sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Wright fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Rios on the side of the head.
Wright throws a right hand that misses
and Rios counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Wright misses the shot to the body.
Wright misses with a takedown attempt
and Rios counters with a one-two to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rios works Wright's body with a nice hook.
Wright looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rios is fending him off so far but Wright persists. Nope, Rios circles away and we're back to standing.
Diego Rios is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Wright rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rios moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Diego Rios comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rios 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Diego Rios!
Diego Rios bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.