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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Shahriyar Chai (ranked 378 p4p, 107 weight class) and Clint Rivers (ranked 56 p4p, 14 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!
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| 179 cm
24
173
11 - 7 - 0 |
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172 cm
28
170
20 - 8 - 1 |
Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Shahriyar Chai!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Clint Rivers!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Steve Smith and Trevor Gratis.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chai takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Chai misses with a wild combination.
Rivers with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Shahriyar Chai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rivers just misses with a punch to the body.
Chai connects with a right hand. Rivers shakes it off.
Rivers lands a jab-cross combination.
Rivers shoots for a double leg takedown but Chai sprawls well. He's pushed Rivers's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Chai misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rivers.
Chai lands a body shot.
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!
Rivers scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Chai gets the takedown into side control.
Rivers takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Rivers is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivers sneaks back into half guard.
Chai drops an elbow to the side of Rivers's head.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Rivers tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Chai has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Rivers tries to hold on but Chai postures up.
Rivers can't escape the position.
Rivers holds on to Chai as tight as he can, avoiding damage.
Rivers can't escape the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chai working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Rivers is desperately trying to improve his position but Chai has a good base and remains in mount.
Chai raining down hammerfists from mount.
Rivers felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Rivers can't escape the position.
Chai controlling the pace for now.
Chai has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Rivers's face.
Chai controlling from the full mount.
Chai throwing strikes here but Rivers is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rivers is in a horrible position here. Chai smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Chai scoring with strikes but Rivers is staying in there.
Rivers is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivers is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Rivers tries to hold on but Chai postures up.
We've been hearing that Chai has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Chai can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rivers is looking to escape.
Rivers is trying to stand.
Rivers wants to control but Chai is having none of it.
Rivers bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Chai is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Rivers moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivers trying to keep a closed guard but Chai is proving a slippery customer.
Chai missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rivers is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Chai trying to control the position from guard on top but Rivers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rivers is looking to sweep but instead, Chai has passed into half guard.
Rivers is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Chai scores with a couple of nice shots.
Rivers is looking to improve his position.
Chai thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rivers's head.
Chai wants to take a breather but Rivers is having none of it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Shahriyar Chai dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.
Chai keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Rivers walks into a straight right hand from Chai.
Chai shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Rivers manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Rivers looking to hit a scissor sweep but Chai is one step ahead there.
Chai avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rivers utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chai sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Chai trying to control but Rivers is working from the bottom.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivers looking for a sweep. Not yet Rivers, not yet.
Rivers pulls Chai in close to prevent any damage.
Rivers bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Chai's guard.
Chai keeping moving, preventing Rivers from controlling successfully.
Rivers working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Chai looking for a sweep. Not yet Chai, not yet.
Chai looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Chai is on top in guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chai content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Chai throwing strikes from guard but Rivers blocks nicely.
Rivers tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rivers not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Shahriyar Chai overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Chai throwing strikes from guard but Rivers blocks nicely.
Chai landing with the ground and pound.
Rivers is trying to control the position but Chai postures up.
Chai pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rivers is keeping the position for now.
Rivers wants to improve his position but instead Chai has moved into half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chai thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Rivers wants to get back to full guard.
Rivers on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Rivers moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Chai trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Chai trying to control but Rivers is working from the bottom.
Rivers looking to control.
Rivers looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Chai puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rivers is controlling Chai's trapped leg to prevent Chai from advancing to side control.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chai trying to control the action but Rivers is working from the bottom.
Rivers trying to hold on to Chai's head to control him but Chai postures up.
Chai missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Nice strikes from Chai there.
Rivers moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Chai won't allow Rivers to sweep him here.
Chai loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rivers wants to sweep but no luck.
Chai throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Chai cracks Rivers with a solid left hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Shahriyar Chai dominated that second round.
That's time! Chai's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Chai looks to throw the jab but Rivers is out of range.
Rivers connects with the punch.
Chai closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Rivers to the mat! Rivers manages to get full guard.
Chai stopping the sweep attempt from Rivers.
Chai working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Rivers's head.
Chai chips away with some ground and pound.
Chai scoring with punches to the head and body.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Chai accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Chai trying to control but Rivers is working from the bottom.
Chai preventing the sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rivers is looking to stand up but Chai isn't so interested in that idea.
Chai makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivers keeping moving, preventing Chai from controlling successfully.
Chai is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rivers can do to turn this around?
Rivers looking to control.
Chai working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rivers is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Rivers looking for a sweep. Not yet Rivers, not yet.
Rivers keeping moving, preventing Chai from controlling successfully.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Chai throws a big elbow that misses.
Rivers manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Chai manages to get himself to full guard.
Rivers working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivers postures up.
Chai working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rivers.
Rivers throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Chai works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rivers throwing strikes but missing.
Rivers is working Chai over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Rivers wants to control from the top but Chai keeps moving.
Rivers trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rivers in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rivers throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Chai works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Rivers tries to clinch but Chai moves out of range.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivers moves in looking to clinch but Chai pushes him off.
An attempted straight right counter from Chai misses the target.
Chai throws a body punch but Rivers moves out of range.
Rivers looks to score with a jab to the body but Chai is just out of range.
A jab from Chai misses.
Chai thows a left - swing and a miss!
Chai misses with a right hand
and Rivers counters with a nice uppercut.
Rivers fails with a takedown attempt.
An attempted straight right counter from Chai misses the target.
Rivers on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Chai cracks Rivers with a right hand to the side of the head.
Rivers tries a low kick but Chai avoids it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivers changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Rivers swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A slow jab from Rivers misses its intended target.
Chai is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Chai fails with a takedown attempt.
Rivers unleashes a big counter combination but Chai bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
A big right from Chai misses.
Rivers lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Chai will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Chai keeps the fight on the outside.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rivers thuds a left hand into Chai's body.
A punch lands to the side of Rivers 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Rivers throws a body shot but no joy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close third round but Clint Rivers just about did enough to take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Chai swings away with a body shot that misses
and Rivers counters with a nice uppercut.
Rivers is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Chai rather than just go for the knockout.
A slow jab from Rivers misses its intended target.
Rivers shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Rivers uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Chai.
A little jabbing left from Rivers on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Rivers throws a poor cross that misses
and Chai cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rivers throws a hook but Chai blocks it.
Rivers is looking to clinch but Chai is avoiding it.
Chai moves out of range of the body kick.
Chai lands a jab to the nose.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rivers scores with a body shot.
Chai scores with a jab to the body.
Chai misses with a left hand
and Rivers counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rivers fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Chai looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Chai shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Rivers manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Rivers is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Rivers wants to sweep but no luck.
Chai is fighting to break Rivers's control of his arms but Rivers is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Rivers is trying to keep Chai in close.
Chai connects with a couple of short punches.
Rivers wants to sweep here but Chai controlling him for the moment.
Chai throws a big right hand that misses.
Rivers is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chai postures up in Rivers's guard and throws a big left but Rivers blocks it.
Rivers has momentary wrist control but Chai slips an elbow through the middle.
Rivers wants to sweep but no luck.
Chai postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Chai preventing the sweep.
Rivers being controlled here, momentarily.
Chai throwing strikes but missing.
Chai preventing the sweep.
Rivers is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Chai loads up on a big right hand but Rivers slips the punch.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chai swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A punch combination from Chai misses.
Rivers steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Chai.
Chai misses with a body shot.
Rivers scores with a hook to the body. Chai takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Chai looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Chai won't allow Rivers to sweep him here.
Rivers wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Rivers looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Chai postures up.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chai stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rivers swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rivers has control of Chai's left arm, preventing Chai from doing any damage.
Rivers wants to sweep but no luck.
Chai trying to control the position from guard on top but Rivers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Rivers uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Chai.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Chai, as that shot connected.
Rivers jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Chai doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rivers counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Rivers shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Chai napping and manages to drive through into side control!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close fourth round but I would say that Shahriyar Chai will probably get the nod.
That's time! Chai's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.
Rivers throws an off balance right hand
and Chai counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Chai avoids the body shot from Rivers.
Rivers moves into the clinch successfully.
Chai lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Chai lands with a light punch inside.
Chai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Chai misses with the head strike.
Rivers tries a body shot but Chai blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rivers.
A shot in the inside from Chai.
Chai tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rivers is working Chai over against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rivers trying to stall but Chai improves his position.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Chai drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rivers pulls his leg out and moves away.
Chai tries to bum rush Rivers with a series of wild strikes but Rivers uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Chai shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rivers as he jumps to the side.
A nice side step and Rivers releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab lands there for Chai.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rivers. Chai does a little dance to reset his feet.
Chai throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rivers digs a good body shot into Chai's ribs.
Sloppy strikes from Rivers. Those never looked like landing.
Chai staying out of range there.
Rivers tries to clinch there but Chai circles away.
A jab from Rivers finds it's way through Chai's defenses.
Rivers swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Chai just misses with a punch to the body.
Rivers appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivers misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A big right from Chai misses.
Rivers tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Chai defends well and Rivers ends up having to push Chai into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Rivers lands a nice looking body shot.
Rivers ducks under a wild hook from Chai.
Rivers looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A jab lands there for Chai.
Rivers misses with a straight left.
Rivers throws the kick towards the body but Chai avoids it.
Chai staying out of range there.
Rivers thuds his right hand into Chai's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivers has his takedown stuffed
and Chai counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rivers throws a body kick that misses.
Chai defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rivers.
Shahriyar Chai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Clint Rivers.
Rivers throws a combination that misses
and Chai connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Chai throws a series of punches but Rivers avoids them all with ease.
Rivers jabs Chai to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Rivers ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A slow jab from Chai misses its intended target.
Chai misses the shot to the body.
Rivers was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
A big left from Rivers misses.
Chai swings and misses with a hook to the body.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivers sizes up Chai with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Clint Rivers has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Chai cracks Rivers with a good jab.
Shahriyar Chai is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Chai misses with a few strikes there.
Rivers is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Chai with a body shot.
Chai fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rivers moves into the clinch.
Rivers lands a nice uppercut.
Rivers tries to throw a body punch but Chai avoids it by throwing Rivers back against the cage.
Rivers struggles to land a body shot inside as Chai controls his hands.
Rivers throws a punch but it's blocked by Chai.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Clint Rivers.
I think Chai has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight for Shahriyar Chai!
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight for Shahriyar Chai!
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight for Shahriyar Chai!
Shahriyar Chai wins by unanimous decision!
Shahriyar Chai retains his welterweight title!
Shahriyar Chai seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
50% |
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