PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Geraldo Rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Link Gatez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Rivera
vs
Gatez

190 cm
20
215 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

178 cm
22
215 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Geraldo Rivera!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Link Gatez!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Daniel Cesar and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gatez with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rivera to score with a decent uppercut.
Gatez drops his hands momentarily and Rivera takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Geraldo Rivera seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gatez swings for the body but Rivera moves out of range.
Rivera scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

It looks like Link Gatez has been cut.
Rivera jabs Gatez right on the nose. Gatez blinks but takes it well.
Rivera fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Rivera swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rivera is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Gatez misses with a combination
and Rivera counters with a right hand to the body.
Gatez walks into a stiff left hand from Rivera.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rivera misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gatez takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Rivera rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gatez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rivera is looking to land body kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatez throws a leg kick
enabling Rivera to counter with a crisp jab.
Rivera moves in looking to clinch but Gatez pushes him off.
Gatez misses with a body shot.
Gatez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Rivera looks to land a right hand but Gatez moved out of range.
Gatez shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rivera sprawls well. Rivera wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gatez gets slowly back to his feet.
Rivera tries to clinch but Gatez moves out of range.
Geraldo Rivera is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rivera throws a series of punches but Gatez avoids them all with ease.
Rivera lands a nice shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gatez just misses with a punch to the body.
Rivera lands a right hook to the body.
Rivera tries to clinch up.
Gatez shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rivera as he avoids it easily.
Geraldo Rivera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Link Gatez.
Gatez throws a lazy right hand but Rivera sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gatez dives in and grabs Rivera's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rivera pushes down on Gatez's head and hops out.
Rivera keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rivera connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Gatez throws a big shot that misses.
Rivera cracks Gatez with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A big right from Gatez misses.
Rivera looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Gatez misses.
Rivera throws a body punch but Gatez moves out of range.
Gatez gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A left lands for Rivera.
No luck for Gatez with that takedown attempt.
Gatez misses with a double jab
and Rivera counters with a nice uppercut.
Rivera jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
A punch combination from Rivera misses.
Rivera tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gatez paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A left lands for Rivera.
Rivera scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gatez has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Gatez there as he acknowledges the shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gatez dives in and grabs Rivera's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rivera pushes down on Gatez's head and hops out.
Rivera lands with a hook. Gatez tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Rivera thows a body shot but no joy.
Rivera throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
A punch lands to the side of Gatez 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Gatez missing with a left hand there. Rivera was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rivera scores with a body shot.
Rivera scores with a shot to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rivera looks to land a combination. Gatez sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Gatez looks gassed!
Rivera lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Gatez is trying desperately to land a takedown but Rivera is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Gatez.
Rivera with a nice cross.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Geraldo Rivera dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Link Gatez's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rivera cracks Gatez with an open hand slap.
Rivera is looking to clinch.
Gatez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rivera tries to clinch there but Gatez circles away.
The fighters circling - Gatez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Gatez has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Gatez there as he acknowledges the shot.
Nice takedown defense from Rivera. No joy for Gatez on that attempt.
Rivera connects with a looping right hand.
Nice cross by Rivera.
Rivera works Gatez's body with a nice hook.
Rivera cracks Gatez with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Rivera fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gatez manages to avoid it.
Rivera is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gatez can do to turn this around?
Gatez loads up on a big right hand but Rivera slips the punch.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Gatez might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Rivera has got the better of the exchanges.
Rivera fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gatez manages to avoid it.
Gatez fails with the takedown.
Geraldo Rivera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Link Gatez.
Gatez is breathing heavily.
Gatez dives in and grabs Rivera's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rivera pushes down on Gatez's head and hops out.
Gatez throws a hook to the side of Rivera's head but Rivera sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rivera uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gatez.
Geraldo Rivera is winning the standup battle so far.
Rivera cracks Gatez with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Rivera lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gatez at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivera lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gatez at a distance.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Rivera.
Rivera fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Rivera scores with a crisp jab that stopped Gatez in his tracks.

That has opened up Link Gatez's cut even more.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rivera cracks a nice hook into Gatez's ribs.
A decent looking cross lands there for Rivera.
Rivera misses with a series of wild punches.
A big left from Gatez misses.
Jab by Rivera.
Rivera scores with a hook.
Rivera throws a series of punches but Gatez moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rivera lands a with a good body shot.
Rivera with a hook.
Gatez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rivera manages to avoid it.
Rivera lands a nice looking body shot.
Rivera slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A slow jab from Gatez misses its intended target.
Nice jab there from Rivera.
Gatez has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Gatez drops his hands momentarily and Rivera takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Gatez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivera connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Rivera lands a slapping body shot.
Nice uppercut lands for Rivera. That snapped Gatez's head back.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Some wild striking there from Gatez.
Gatez moves forwards but Rivera connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Rivera lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gatez at a distance.
Nice body punch from Rivera.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rivera digs a good body shot into Gatez's ribs.
Rivera lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Rivera.

The cut above Link Gatez's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Rivera bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Gatez's head backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Geraldo Rivera dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Link Gatez's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Gatez moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Rivera tries to clinch up but Gatez circles away and keeps his distance.
Gatez takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Gatez is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Rivera leaves Gatez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Gatez misses with a hook. Rivera ducked under it nicely.
Rivera lands a with a good body shot.
Rivera throws out a powerful jab.
Gatez tries to land a leg kick but Rivera saw it coming and moves away.
Gatez takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Gatez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gatez has his takedown stuffed
and Rivera counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera looks to land a combination. Gatez sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Rivera scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Gatez doesn't seem bothered though.
Gatez takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Rivera lands with a shot to the body.
Rivera misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gatez takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Gatez takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Rivera cracks Gatez with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Rivera closes the distance and pushes Gatez back into the cage.
Rivera is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Rivera stops a takedown attempt from Gatez.
Geraldo Rivera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Link Gatez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivera will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Gatez up against the cage.
Gatez tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Rivera just stands there and leans against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Rivera.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gatez fails to pull guard.
Come on Rivera - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Rivera lands with a short shot to the head.

Link Gatez's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
Rivera throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Rivera scores with an uppercut up the middle.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Link Gatez's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:47 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Geraldo Rivera!
Geraldo Rivera is the new light heavyweight champion!