PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Raphael Rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Klishenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rivera comes to the cage accompanied by Right Said FRED---I'm to Sexy. This should be fireworks!

Rivera
vs
Klishenko

196 cm
18
281 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

198 cm
23
270 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

Dangerous GnP
Decent boxing
Determined

[MMABR]: TechNutri - Ensuring the quality
Mundo Green - World Verde

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Raphael Rivera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mark Klishenko!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Matheus Silva and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Klishenko closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rivera circles away.
Nice sprawl there from Rivera as Klishenko shoots in.
Rivera moves in looking to clinch but Klishenko pushes him off.
Rivera feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Klishenko's calf.
Rivera tries a head kick but it misses.
Rivera fails in his attempt to clinch.
Raphael Rivera seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rivera tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Klishenko paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rivera doesn't manage to clinch there - Klishenko circles away.
Rivera lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Rivera closes the distance and clinches.
Rivera lands a nice elbow.
Klishenko wants a takedown.
Raphael Rivera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Klishenko.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rivera.
Rivera lands a nice elbow.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rivera with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Rivera working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Klishenko working hard to break the clinch.
Rivera creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Klishenko's defenses.
Klishenko looks gassed!
Rivera working Klishenko over with knees to the body.
Rivera lands an elbow inside.
Rivera with a knee to the head.
Rivera connects with a knee to the head.
Rivera lands a knee to the body.
Klishenko goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rivera prevents it.
Rivera with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Rivera is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Rivera working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rivera landing knees to the body.
Rivera presses Klishenko against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A knee to the head by Rivera.
Rivera scores a nice knee to the body.
Rivera lands an elbow inside that Klishenko shrugs off.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Rivera creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Rivera landing knees to the head.
Rivera stops a takedown attempt from Klishenko.
Rivera using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Klishenko has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rivera landing knees to the head.
Klishenko fails to pull guard.
A short right from Rivera.

Klishenko jumps into guard, dragging Rivera to the mat.
Klishenko keeping moving, preventing Rivera from controlling successfully.
Klishenko working a defensive guard here.
Rivera stands up over Klishenko, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivera in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rivera is looking to work some ground and pound but Klishenko has wrist control.

Klishenko has his foot on Rivera's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rivera works his way back into a safe position though.
Klishenko trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Rivera missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Rivera rushes Klishenko and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Rivera lands a knee to the head.
Rivera lands a good knee to the midsection. Klishenko won't want to take too many of those.
Rivera has Klishenko pressed against the cage, preventing Klishenko from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Rivera lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Rivera landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Rivera lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Rivera gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Klishenko.
Rivera tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Rivera crunches a lovely knee into Klishenko's ribcage.
Rivera throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Klishenko blocks it with crossed arms.
Rivera tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rivera throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Klishenko tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Klishenko changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rivera fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Rivera is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Klishenko keeps the fight on the outside.

Rivera clinches up against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Klishenko looking for a takedown.
Rivera lands a shoulder strike.
Rivera scores with a knee to the head.
Rivera landing knees to the head.
Rivera landing knees to the head.
Rivera tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Rivera lands an elbow inside.
Klishenko tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Rivera just stands there and leans against the cage.
Rivera landing knees to the head.
Klishenko is trying to break free.
Rivera connects with a nasty looking knee right to Klishenko's face.
Klishenko goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rivera prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivera tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Klishenko takes a knee to the side of the body.
Klishenko tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Rivera just stands there and leans against the cage.
Rivera with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Rivera lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Klishenko blocking some punches.
Rivera tries to land a knee to the head but Klishenko blocks with his arms.
A knee to the head by Rivera.
A right hand to the body from Klishenko.
Rivera tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Klishenko is trying to drag Rivera to the mat but Rivera just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Rivera misses with a knee to the head.
Rivera lands a left hand.
Klishenko is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Klishenko tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Klishenko takes a knee right on the jaw!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rivera tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Klishenko tries for a takedown but Rivera manages to get underhooks.
Rivera pushes Klishenko back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rivera lands a good knee to the midsection. Klishenko won't want to take too many of those.
Rivera tries to land a knee to the head but Klishenko blocks with his arms.
Rivera using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Klishenko has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raphael Rivera 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.

Rivera tries to close the distance and clinch up but Klishenko swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Klishenko misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Klishenko takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Klishenko wants to clinch.
Raphael Rivera is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Klishenko takes a kick to the side of the head.
Rivera throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rivera tries to clinch but Klishenko moves away

and Klishenko counters with a single leg into guard. Rivera didn't expect that.
Klishenko must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rivera working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Klishenko.
Klishenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Rivera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rivera is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera with the ground and pound but Klishenko uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Rivera wants to control from the top but Klishenko keeps moving.
Klishenko is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rivera lands a couple of elbows.
Klishenko working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rivera.
Klishenko wants to stand but Rivera is controlling the position.
Rivera distracts Klishenko with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Klishenko working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rivera.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Rivera not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Klishenko preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rivera trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rivera passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rivera is trying to get an arm triangle but Klishenko is defending well.
Sloppy strikes there by Rivera.
Rivera misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Klishenko is trying to control Rivera's posture but Rivera avoids it.
Rivera tries to score with some ground and pound. Klishenko controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivera lands a decent elbow from side control.
Rivera lands some shots froms side control.

Rivera decides to stand back up.
Rivera throws a head kick but Klishenko moves out of range.
Raphael Rivera is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Klishenko shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rivera pinned against the cage. Rivera gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Rivera wants to clinch

and Klishenko decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Rivera's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Klishenko postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Rivera is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Klishenko, into his guard.
Rivera wants to control from the top but Klishenko keeps moving.
Klishenko is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rivera stands up and waves to Klishenko to follow him.
Klishenko tries to clinch but Rivera moves out of range.

Rivera gets in close and instigates a clinch.
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!
Klishenko takes a knee right on the jaw!
Rivera with a knee to the head.
Klishenko takes a knee to the side of the body.
Klishenko is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Raphael Rivera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Klishenko.
Nice elbow from Rivera.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rivera with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Klishenko is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Rivera pushes Klishenko back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Rivera throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Klishenko blocks it with crossed arms.
Klishenko wants a takedown but no success here.
Rivera landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
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 Raphael Rivera will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Rivera looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rivera throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Klishenko throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Rivera was covering up waiting for the punch and Klishenko finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Klishenko is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Rivera keeping moving, preventing Klishenko from controlling successfully.
Rivera wants to sweep here but Klishenko controlling him for the moment.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Klishenko wants to control from the top but Rivera keeps moving.
Klishenko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rivera pulls Klishenko in to control the position.
Klishenko looking to sit in guard and control but Rivera gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Rivera trying to control but Klishenko is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Rivera tries to clinch but Klishenko moves away

and Klishenko counters with a shoot takedown. Rivera fights it but they end up in guard.

Rivera is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Rivera crunches a lovely knee into Klishenko's ribcage.
Rivera with a knee to the head.
Klishenko tries for a takedown. No joy.
Rivera lands a good knee to the midsection. Klishenko won't want to take too many of those.
Klishenko tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rivera smiles and moves away.
Rivera looks to clinch

and Klishenko counters with a shoot takedown. Rivera fights it but they end up in guard.
Klishenko looking to pass the guard.

Rivera wriggles free and stands up.
Raphael Rivera is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rivera darts in trying to clinch

and Klishenko counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Rivera!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Klishenko is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Rivera has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Rivera!
Rivera throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rivera throwing strikes but missing.
Rivera trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Klishenko trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Klishenko 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.

Rivera avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Klishenko can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Rivera controls the pace.

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.
Rivera trying to control but Klishenko is working from the bottom.
Mark Klishenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Klishenko looks for a takedown but Rivera sprawls well.
Raphael Rivera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Klishenko.

Rivera clinches up against the cage.
Rivera scores with a knee to the head.
Rivera landing knees to the head.
Klishenko's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Raphael Rivera has scored more points in the clinch so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rivera lands a knee to the head.
Rivera working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A knee to the head by Rivera.
Klishenko can't get the takedown.
Klishenko takes a knee right on the jaw!
Rivera lands with a right to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Klishenko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rivera 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:27
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:27
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Raphael Rivera!