PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between George Riley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Muhamad Masolini (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Masolini has chosen Warriors Dance as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Riley
vs
Masolini

207 cm
22
260 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

225 cm
18
265 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, George Riley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Muhamad Masolini!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Alec Ball and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No joy there for Masolini, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Masolini gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Riley gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Muhamad Masolini seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Riley takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Riley is breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Masolini tries to clinch but Riley is having none of it.
Masolini throws a right hand that Riley ducks under and follows up with a left that Riley also avoids with ease.

Masolini drives through and clinches with Riley against the cage.
Riley wants to break the clinch but can't.
Riley has had enough of the clinch but Masolini keeps him there for the moment.
Masolini lands a damaging elbow.
Masolini misses with an elbow strike.
Masolini is trying to maintain a safe position but Riley gets an underhook and turns Masolini into the cage.
Riley tries to score a body lock takedown but Masolini shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Masolini throws an elbow that misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Masolini just misses with a elbow thrown towards Riley's brow.
Masolini lands an elbow inside.

It looks like George Riley has been cut.
Masolini misses with a knee to the head.
Masolini with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Masolini jumps into guard, dragging Riley to the mat.
Riley would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Masolini thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Riley keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Masolini's head.
Masolini is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Riley not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Riley wants to pass the guard but Masolini is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Riley gets to his feet - Masolini follows without any prompting.

Riley changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Masolini looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Masolini looking for a sweep but Riley has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Riley in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Riley content just to control the position here.
Riley seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Masolini for as long as he can get away with.
Masolini working to try and regain half guard.

Riley is working for a guillotine from mount but Masolini frees his head quite easily.
Riley controlling from the full mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masolini regains half guard.

Riley seems to be looking for submissions.
Riley is trying to control the action in half guard but Masolini is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Riley decides to stand up.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Masolini keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Riley takes a kick to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Masolini throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Riley.

Riley clinches with his opponent.
Riley will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Masolini up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riley landing knees to the body.
Riley misses with a knee to the head.
Masolini tries to score a body lock takedown but Riley shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Masolini wants to get back to striking at distance but Riley won't allow it.
Masolini misses with an elbow over the top.
Riley works on Masolini's body with a couple of short punches.
Masolini misses with a knee to the head.
Masolini with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Riley takes an elbow to the temple.
Masolini with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Masolini just leaning against Riley, taking a breather.
Masolini tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Masolini misses with a knee strike.
Riley with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Masolini throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Riley blocks it with crossed arms.
Masolini missing with knees to the body.
Masolini looking to slow down the pace here.

Riley breaks the clinch.

Riley moves into range and clinches up with Masolini.

Riley is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Masolini can't fight it off and eventually Riley manages to take the fight to the floor. Masolini looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Riley not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Riley preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riley controlling from the top position.
Riley preventing the sweep.
Riley stands and throws Masolini's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Masolini is looking to regain half guard here but Riley keeps moving and retains side control.
Riley controlling from side mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Masolini tries to buck Riley off but Riley is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that George Riley will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on George Riley's cut.
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.

Masolini is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Riley.
Masolini misses with a body kick.
Masolini throws a left and a right that both miss
and Riley counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Masolini is lucky that one didn't land flush.

Riley fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Masolini, pushing him back against the cage.
Masolini throws a knee to the head but misses.
Nice body punch from Riley.

Riley breaks from the clinch.
Riley lunges at Masolini with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Masolini's hand.
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!

Riley shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Masolini wants to improve his position but Riley is controlling well.
Riley is trying to control the action in half guard but Masolini is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Masolini has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Riley is working away from the top position though.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Riley gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Riley misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Riley rushes Masolini and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Masolini missing with knees to the body.

Riley pulls guard.
Masolini throws a strike but Riley rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Riley slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Masolini doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Riley slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Masolini is on top in guard.
Masolini is looking to stand up but Riley won't let him.

Riley manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Masolini throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Good exchange - Riley coming out on top.
A jab lands there for Masolini.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masolini takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
A chopping leg kick lands by Riley.
Masolini throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Riley counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Riley.

Riley takes the fight into the clinch.
Masolini changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Riley fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Riley forces Masolini back against the cage and clinches.
Riley drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Masolini wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Riley has him pressed against the cage.
Riley drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Masolini gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Masolini tries for a takedown but Riley manages to get underhooks.

Masolini has hold of one of Riley's legs. Riley is fighting the takedown attempt but Masolini gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Masolini looking to pass the guard.
Riley manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Riley landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riley controlling the pace for now.
Masolini is desperately trying to improve his position but Riley has a good base and remains in mount.
Masolini is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Riley looking to finish Masolini with some ground and pound. This is bad for Masolini!
Masolini is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Masolini is looking to improve his position but Riley isn't that keen on the idea.
Riley tries to control but Masolini wriggling away.
Masolini is working to get back to half guard.
Riley can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Masolini is looking to escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Masolini is looking to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Masolini regains half guard.
Masolini misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Riley prevents Masolini from standing back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Riley is trying to control the action in half guard but Masolini is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Riley prevents Masolini from improving his position.
Riley uses his free foot to push down on Masolini's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Masolini.
Riley trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Masolini is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Riley dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on George Riley's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Riley drives through with a takedown into guard.
Masolini is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Riley wants to control from the top but Masolini keeps moving.
Masolini manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Riley tries to hold on but Masolini postures up.
Masolini has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Riley's face.
Riley slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Riley on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Riley tries to get out of the position.
Masolini wants to control but Riley is keeping him busy.
Masolini thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Masolini sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Riley defending well though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Masolini trying to control the action but Riley is working from the bottom.
Masolini tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Riley.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masolini is keen to just control but Riley is a slippery customer.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
A combination from Riley does no damage.
Masolini pushes Riley away with a front kick.
George Riley is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Masolini tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Riley counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Masolini's guard now.
Riley postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Riley controlling from the top position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Riley trying to control but Masolini is working from the bottom.
Riley is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
George Riley overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Riley wants to control from the top but Masolini keeps moving.
Masolini trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masolini has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Riley has passed into side control.
Riley staying calm.
Masolini manages to get back to half guard.
Riley looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Riley decides to stand and escape the position.

Riley darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Masolini is staying active underneath Riley, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Masolini manages to get to full guard.
Masolini is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riley is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Masolini doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Masolini looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Masolini keeping moving, preventing Riley from controlling successfully.

The referee stands the fighters back up. George Riley just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Masolini lets loose with a powerful body kick. Riley will feel that in the morning.
A shot to de liver by Riley. Beautiful body shot.
Masolini fails to land with a series of punches.
A thudding body kick lands there by Riley!

Riley pushes Masolini up against the cage in a clinch.
Riley lands a body punch in the clinch.

Riley breaks the clinch.
Muhamad Masolini seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riley dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Masolini. That did some damage!
Masolini tries to clinch up

and Riley moves into the clinch.

Riley escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Riley feints and as Masolini raises his hands in defense, Riley changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Riley stands up and waves to Masolini to follow him.
Riley stalks Masolini and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Masolini's face. Masolini staggers backwards, shaken.
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!

Riley shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Masolini's guard.
Masolini working a defensive guard here.
Riley might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Masolini keeping moving, preventing Riley from controlling successfully.
Muhamad Masolini has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Masolini wants to stand up but Riley is controlling him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Riley stopping the sweep attempt from Masolini.
Masolini is looking to stand back up but Riley counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Masolini.

And that's the end of the fight!
George Riley showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Riley has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 William Peck scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... George Riley!