PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jorge Riviera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Felipe Costa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these fighters are unbeaten, so somebody's 0 has got to go!Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Riviera
vs
Costa

165 cm
20
144 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

166 cm
19
141 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Powerful

Vandal Fight Boutique -ACME- *$5 tee!*

Grappling Pro Gear
Grappling Pro Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jorge Riviera!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Felipe Costa!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Ren Mimura and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Costa bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Riviera gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Costa is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Costa punishing his opponent with strikes.
Riviera is squirming around, avoiding Costa's attempts to control the action.
Costa throws some wild stikes that Riviera manages to avoid easily.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Costa cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

Riviera is rocked!
Costa trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Oh Riviera is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Riviera is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Costa tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Riviera seems to have got his legs back now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Costa moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Riviera has worked his arm free - good work by Riviera!
Riviera is trying to control Costa's posture but Costa avoids it.
Costa wants to take a breather but Riviera manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Costa.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Costa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Costa controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Costa wants to pass the guard but Riviera is keeping the position.
Costa works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Costa has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Costa is trying to control the action in half guard but Riviera is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Costa wants to pass the guard but Riviera is defending well.
Costa trying to control from Riviera's half guard. Riviera has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riviera not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Riviera wants to stand and escape but Costa is having none of it.
Riviera is trying to control the position but Costa postures up.
Costa tries to free his leg and advance position but Riviera is retaining full guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Costa moves into the clinch successfully.
Riviera prevents the takedown attempt.
Costa tries for a takedown. No joy.
Costa fails to pull guard.
Jorge Riviera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Felipe Costa.
Costa is stalling here.
Costa tries for a takedown but Riviera manages to get underhooks.
Riviera avoiding damage as Costa throws knees to the body.
Riviera lands a nice uppercut.
Riviera throws a punch but it's blocked by Costa.

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.
Riviera lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Costa backwards.
Riviera looking to slow down the pace here.
Riviera scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Riviera letting Costa take a breather here.
Costa fails to pull guard.
Costa is trying to maintain a safe position but Riviera gets an underhook and turns Costa into the ropes.
Riviera stalls.
Riviera lands an uppercut.
Riviera gets through Costa's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Riviera scores with a nice hook to the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Riviera.
Riviera doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Costa tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Riviera just stands there and leans against the ropes.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Riviera.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Felipe Costa dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Riviera misses the jab.
Costa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Costa doesn't manage to clinch there - Riviera circles away.
Riviera stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Riviera misses with a few strikes there.
Jorge Riviera seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Costa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Riviera swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nice defenses there by Costa.
Riviera misses with a straight left.
Riviera throws a hook to the side of Costa's head but Costa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Costa doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Costa staying out of range there.
Riviera lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Costa backs up against the ropes.
Riviera misses with a double jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riviera avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Costa takes the fight into the clinch.
Riviera lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Riviera throws a punch but it's blocked by Costa.
Riviera is trying to break the clinch but Costa has him pressed against the ropes.
Riviera looking to stall.
Costa stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Riviera lands a right hand.
Riviera lands a nice uppercut.
Riviera lands with a short shot to the head.
Riviera can't break the clinch.
Costa is trying to drag Riviera to the mat but Riviera just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Costa taking a breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Costa jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Riviera walks away with a smile on his face. Costa gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Riviera throws a looping overhand right but Costa ducks down to avoid it.
Costa ducks under a wild hook from Riviera.
Riviera scores with a body shot.
Costa fails with an attempt to clinch.
Riviera misses with a straight left.
Riviera lands with a cross.

Costa shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Costa was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Costa looking to ground and pound but Riviera is blocking nicely.
Costa wants to take his opponent's back but Riviera doesn't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Costa landing strikes from the mount and Riviera is in trouble!
Costa seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Riviera is holding on tight.
Riviera is squirming around, avoiding Costa's attempts to control the action.
Riviera wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Costa.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Costa won't let Riviera get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Riviera working to try and regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Costa controlling from the full mount.
Riviera wants to control but Costa is having none of it.

Costa swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Riviera is now in Costa's guard. A big mistake from Costa there, giving up the dominant position!
Riviera tries to free his leg and advance position but Costa is retaining full guard.
Costa looking to hit a scissor sweep but Riviera is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jorge Riviera dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Costa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Costa slips under a jab from Riviera.
A looping hook to the body misses from Riviera. Costa does a little dance to reset his feet.
Costa is looking to clinch but Riviera is avoiding it.
Riviera looks to land a right hand but Costa moved out of range.
Costa doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Costa ducks under a wild hook from Riviera.
Costa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Riviera.
Riviera keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Riviera throws a hook to the side of Costa's head but Costa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riviera lands a with a good body shot.
Riviera avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Costa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Costa moves away from the strike by Riviera.
Riviera misses the jab.
Costa ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Riviera avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Costa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Riviera misses with a looping right.
Riviera throws out a loose jab but Costa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Riviera looks to score with a jab to the body but Costa is just out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Costa moves out of range of the strikes.
Riviera throws out a powerful jab.
Costa is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Riviera.

Costa forces Riviera back against the ropes and clinches.
Riviera wants to stall.

Costa manages to pull guard.
Riviera preventing the sweep.
Costa is trying to control the position but Riviera postures up.

Costa has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Riviera is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Costa.
You can see the frustration on Costa's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Costa manages to get back to half guard.
Riviera is trying to control the action in half guard but Costa is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Costa makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Costa.
Costa bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Riviera's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Costa tries to free his leg and advance position but Riviera is retaining full guard.
Riviera is trying to keep Costa in close.
Riviera is looking to stand up but Costa isn't so interested in that idea.

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.
Costa throws a strike but Riviera rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Riviera sitting in guard here, content to control.

Costa is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Costa wants to sweep here but Riviera controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jorge Riviera clearly takes 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.

Costa moves in looking to clinch but Riviera pushes him off.
Costa tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Riviera swivels and escapes.
Costa throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Riviera's waist but Riviera gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Costa off to one side.
Riviera lands a jab.
Costa tries to close the distance and clinch but Riviera swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Riviera misses with the combination.
Costa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Costa ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Riviera throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riviera misses with a looping left.
A telegraphed right hand from Riviera misses the target.
Costa wants to clinch up but Riviera keeps it at a distance.
Costa displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Riviera throws out the jab.
Riviera lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Costa throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Riviera's waist but Riviera gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Costa off to one side.
Jorge Riviera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Felipe Costa.
A telegraphed right hand from Costa misses the target.
Riviera bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Riviera scores with a hook.

Costa moves into range and clinches up with Riviera.
Riviera misses with a short punch on the inside.
Costa can't find room to land a body shot as Riviera controls the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Costa tries to land knees in the clinch but Riviera avoids the damage to the body.
Costa tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Riviera smiles and moves away.
Costa slips under a jab from Riviera.
Costa doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Costa moves away from the strike by Riviera.
Riviera connects with a jab.
Riviera keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nice uppercut there from Riviera.
Riviera misses the shot to the body.
Jorge Riviera is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Costa slips under a jab.
Riviera uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Costa.
Costa misses with a hook.
Riviera getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

Costa is rocked!
Riviera misses the jab.
A big right from Riviera misses.
Costa moves forwards but Riviera connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Costa moves in looking to clinch but Riviera pushes him off.
Riviera throws a jab but it's blocked by Costa.
Costa defending well as Riviera loads up on a big left hand.
Costa takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Costa blocks a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Costa misses with a body punch
and Riviera counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Costa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Riviera.
Nice defenses there by Costa.
A lazy left from Riviera finds it's target.
Riviera throws a jab when Costa was well out of range.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Costa ducks under a wild hook from Riviera.

Costa moves into the clinch.
Riviera misses with a hook from the clinch.
Riviera is trying to break the clinch but Costa is controlling him.

Costa wants the takedown. Riviera is fighting it off but Costa persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Riviera's guard against the ropes.
Costa sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Riviera's guard.

Costa is working for a kimura but Riviera is defending it quite comfortably.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jorge Riviera had his way with Felipe Costa in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Costa misses with a combination
and Riviera counters with a nice body shot.
Costa shoots and misses
and Riviera counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Costa slips under a jab.
Riviera is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Costa wants to clinch.
Nice shot lands for Riviera.
Riviera lands a lovely overhand right.

Costa drives through and clinches with Riviera against the ropes.
Riviera makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Costa is still on wobbly legs! Can Riviera finish him?
Riviera doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Costa seems to have recovered his senses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Costa jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Riviera walks away with a smile on his face. Costa gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Riviera connects with a single shot there.
Costa slips under a jab.
Riviera tries to bum rush Costa with a series of wild strikes but Costa uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Jorge Riviera is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Costa clinches up with Riviera and pushes him back against the ropes.
Riviera lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Costa jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Riviera walks away with a smile on his face. Costa gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Jorge Riviera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Felipe Costa.
Riviera throws a nice looking combination but Costa bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A jab from Riviera misses.
Riviera misses with a straight left.
Costa uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Riviera.

Costa bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riviera wants to control but Costa postures up.
Riviera is trying to work for a sweep but Costa has mounted him!
Costa is landing with some decent strikes but Riviera is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

Costa has control of Riviera's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Riviera regains control of the situation pretty easily.

Costa goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Riviera is on top in guard.
Costa wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Costa is trying to keep Riviera in close.
Costa looking for a sweep. Not yet Costa, not yet.
Riviera trying to control the position from guard on top but Costa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Riviera won't allow Costa to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Riviera stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Costa swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Costa moves out of range as Riviera strikes.
Costa shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Riviera as he avoids it easily.
Riviera pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Costa takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Riviera stuffs the takedown.
Riviera misses the jab.
Riviera loads up on a big right hand but Costa slips the punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jorge Riviera showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Riviera 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Jorge Riviera!
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight for Jorge Riviera!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Jorge Riviera!

Jorge Riviera wins by unanimous decision!
Jorge Riviera retains his bantamweight title!