PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Samoel Croco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Albert Riera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Riera has chosen GMS vs Karan - Goa'n Mad as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Croco
vs
Riera

190 cm
22
207 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

188 cm
21
204 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Hellbent, Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Samoel Croco!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Albert Riera!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Daniel Cesar and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Croco shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Riera napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Croco slows the pace down.
Croco prevents Riera from escaping the position.
Croco working the ground and pound.
Riera is letting Croco control him for a moment.
Croco lands an elbow.
The referee asks Croco politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Croco prefers to stall for the moment though.
Riera is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Croco has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Riera is trying to escape the position but Croco is controlling the position.
Croco is chipping away with strikes.
The referee asks Croco politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Croco prefers to stall for the moment though.
Riera is trying to buck Croco off.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Croco decides to stand up, so the ref orders Riera to his feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Riera looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Croco fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Croco closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Croco sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Croco sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Riera defending well though.
Croco throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Croco prevents Riera from standing back up.
Croco is controlling the pace.
Riera wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Riera pushes Croco off and gets back to his feet.
Croco moves out of range of the body kick.
Riera fails with an attempt to clinch.
Croco keeps the fight on the outside.

Riera pushes Croco up against the cage in a clinch.
Riera landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Croco tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Croco avoiding damage as Riera throws knees to the body.

Croco pulls Riera into guard.

Riera decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Croco is breathing heavily.
Riera fails with an attempt to clinch.
Croco throws a series of punches but Riera moves out of range.
Croco scores with a body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Croco shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Riera looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Croco looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Riera with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Croco is controlling the pace.
Riera tries to kick Croco off but Croco keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Riera is looking to escape.
Croco performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Riera manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Croco shoots in looking for a takedown. Riera tries to sprawl out of it but Croco keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Riera 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 Samoel Croco. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Riera has managed to clinch.
Croco takes a knee right on the jaw!
Riera throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Croco blocks it with crossed arms.
Croco is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Riera pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Riera comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Riera gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Riera lands a nice knee to the body.
Riera lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Croco drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Croco tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Riera keeps control of Croco as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samoel Croco dominated that round.
That's time! Croco's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Riera tries to clinch but Croco moves out of range.
Croco rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Riera moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Riera fails in his attempt to clinch.
Croco misses with a body shot.
Croco changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Croco changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Riera tries to avoid it but Croco manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Riera to the ground. Riera escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Riera tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Croco paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Riera rushes Croco and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Riera connects with a nasty looking knee right to Croco's face.
Riera leaning his opponent against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Croco fails to land.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Riera looking to throw knees to the head but Croco is blocking nicely.
Croco is trying to drag Riera to the mat but Riera just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Riera putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Croco in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

Riera's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Croco throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Riera gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Riera connects with a nasty looking knee right to Croco's face.
Riera lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Croco backwards.

Riera breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Albert Riera is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Croco throws a one two combo.

Riera fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Croco, pushing him back against the cage.
Riera lands a good knee to the midsection. Croco won't want to take too many of those.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Croco has Riera pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Croco pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Riera tumbling to the mat - Croco dives into Riera's guard.
Riera is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Croco knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Riera on the ground.
Croco controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riera keeping moving, preventing Croco from controlling successfully.

Riera pushes Croco off and gets back to his feet.
Riera tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Croco paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Riera doesn't manage to clinch there - Croco circles away.
Riera is looking to clinch but Croco is avoiding it.
Riera tries to clinch up.

Croco shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Croco showed some decent athleticism there.
Croco stops Riera from getting back to his feet.

Riera manages to escape and get back to his feet!
A right-left combo lands from Croco.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The fight stays on the outside here - Riera looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Croco swinging wilding here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riera tries to clinch but Croco is having none of it.
Samoel Croco is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Croco circles away from the clinch attempt.

Riera fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Croco, pushing him back against the cage.
Riera is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Riera with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Riera swings wildly with an uppercut but Croco uses good head movement to avoid it.
Croco is trying to drag Riera to the mat but Riera just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Samoel Croco. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Riera breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Riera tries to clinch but Croco moves out of range.
Croco throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Riera doesn't manage to clinch there - Croco circles away.
Riera tries to clinch there but Croco circles away.
No luck for Croco with that takedown attempt.
A combination from Riera does no damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
The fight stays on the outside here - Riera looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Croco shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Riera tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Croco paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Riera takes the fight into the clinch.
Riera slows down the pace here.
Riera lands a nice elbow.
Riera landing knees to the head.
Croco on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Riera looking to slow down the pace here.

Croco jumps into guard, dragging Riera to the mat.

Riera gets to his feet. Croco looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Croco moves into the clinch.
Croco has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Riera is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Samoel Croco will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Croco misses with a jab, cross combination.
Riera tries to clinch
and Croco counters with a nice uppercut.

It looks like Albert Riera has been cut.
Riera wants to clinch.
Croco looks for a takedown but Riera sprawls well.
Croco keeps the fight on the outside.
Riera tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Croco paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Riera gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Riera is trying to stall.

Riera drags the fight down to the ground.
Croco trying to control the position from guard on top but Riera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Riera is looking to stand up but Croco isn't so interested in that idea.
Croco with a flurry of punches that miss.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Riera pushes Croco off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Croco or perhaps it was just good defense by Riera which made him look bad.
Riera tries to clinch but Croco moves out of range.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Croco breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Riera fails with an attempt to clinch.
A head kick misses from Riera.
Croco keeps the fight on the outside.
Riera clinches but Croco breaks the clinch
and Croco counters with a right hand to the body.
Riera tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Croco paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Riera looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Croco shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Samoel Croco. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Riera closes the distance and pushes Croco back into the cage.
Riera landing some nice looking knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Riera obliges.
Croco tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Riera smiles and moves away.
Riera uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Croco.
Riera looks to clinch

and Croco counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Croco looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Riera pushes Croco off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Croco changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Riera tries to avoid it but Croco manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Riera to the ground. Riera escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Riera moves into the clinch.
Croco wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Come on Riera - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Riera successfully pulls guard.
Croco trying to control the position from guard on top but Riera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Croco has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Riera wants to get back to his feet but Croco is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Riera pushes Croco off and scrambles back to his feet.
Croco tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Riera was well out of range. Poor timing from Croco.
Riera tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Croco counters with a nice uppercut.

Riera rushes Croco and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Riera is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Riera looking to slow down the pace here.
Riera effectively controlling the action here.
Croco tries to pull guard but Riera won't allow it.
Riera scores with a knee to the head.
Riera throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Riera trying to stall but Croco improves his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riera is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Croco is defending well for now.
Croco scores with a shot to the side of Riera's head.
Croco has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Riera avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Croco prevents the takedown attempt.
Riera unloads a knee to the mid-section. Croco lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Riera keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Croco's efforts to push away.
Croco wants a takedown.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Croco.
Croco takes a knee right on the jaw!
Croco is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Riera drags the fight down to the ground.
Croco with a nice head shot there.
Croco is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Riera wants to get back to his feet but Croco is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Croco showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Albert Riera.
I think Croco 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight for Samoel Croco!
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight for Samoel Croco!
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight for Samoel Croco!

Samoel Croco wins by unanimous decision!