PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Bitburger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raphael Rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rivera has chosen Right Said FRED---I'm to Sexy as his entrance music. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Raphael Rivera was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Bitburger
vs
Rivera

198 cm
23
270 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

196 cm
19
281 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mike Bitburger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Raphael Rivera!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Paulo Santos and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bitburger shoots in for a takedown but Rivera shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Bitburger shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Bitburger is keen to just control but Rivera is a slippery customer.
Rivera wants to improve his position but Bitburger is controlling well.
Bitburger throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rivera wants to get back to full guard.
Rivera won't allow Bitburger to pass to mount.

Bitburger is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Rivera sees it coming and defends easily.
Bitburger seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rivera does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rivera throws a sloppy head kick and Bitburger moves out of range easily.
Bitburger shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rivera as he avoids it easily.
Rivera lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bitburger circles away quickly and effectively.
Bitburger shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rivera defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Bitburger. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rivera stuffs the takedown attempt from Bitburger. Bitburger gets slowly back to his feet.

Rivera clinches up against the cage.
Rivera prevents a takedown attempt there.
Bitburger is breathing heavily.
Rivera lands a knee to the head.
Rivera landing knees to the head.
Knees to the body from Rivera.
A knee to the head by Rivera.
Rivera connects with a knee to the head.
Rivera lands a knee to the head.
Bitburger is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rivera lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Rivera tries a knee to the head but Bitburger blocks it.
Rivera is pressed up against the cage. Bitburger has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rivera down to the mat. Rivera avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Bitburger avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Bitburger takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Bitburger circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bitburger closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rivera circles away.
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!
Rivera moves in looking to clinch but Bitburger pushes him off.
Rivera tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bitburger swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Rivera gets a clinch.
Rivera misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bitburger.
Rivera lands an elbow inside that Bitburger shrugs off.
Rivera stops a takedown attempt from Bitburger.
Rivera lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Bitburger backwards.
Rivera unloads a knee to the mid-section. Bitburger lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Bitburger takes a knee right on the jaw!
Rivera lands an elbow inside.
Rivera connects with a knee to the head.
Bitburger is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rivera gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Rivera is pressed up against the cage. Bitburger has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rivera down to the mat. Rivera avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rivera throws a nice head kick!
Rivera throws a push kick but Bitburger slaps the foot to one side.
Bitburger keeps the fight on the outside.
Rivera throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bitburger shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rivera but Rivera pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Rivera moves into the clinch.
Rivera lands a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bitburger is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Rivera connects with a knee to the head.
Rivera lands an elbow inside.
Rivera stops a takedown attempt from Bitburger.
Rivera with a knee to the head.
Rivera with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Rivera gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Rivera tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rivera comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Rivera looking to throw knees to the head but Bitburger is blocking nicely.

Bitburger has clasped his hands together around Rivera's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Bitburger tries to advance to mount but can't.

Rivera explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Raphael Rivera seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rivera throws a series of punches but Bitburger moves out of range.

Bitburger scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Rivera wants to get back to his feet.
Bitburger wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rivera keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bitburger is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Rivera holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Rivera tries to get to full guard but Bitburger has control of the leg.
Bitburger stops Rivera from getting back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bitburger trying to control from half guard but Rivera is working away.
Bitburger trying to mount his opponent but Rivera defends it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bitburger changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Rivera looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Rivera wants to control but Bitburger postures up.
Rivera tries to bench press Bitburger off him but Bitburger keeps the position.
Rivera wants to control but Bitburger postures up.
Bitburger tries to move to mount but Rivera blocks the move with his legs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bitburger throws a strike aimed at the side of Rivera's head but Rivera avoids it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bitburger is trying to get an arm triangle but Rivera is defending well.

Bitburger wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rivera, who protects the arm well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Bitburger is not content to let Rivera control the position.
Rivera lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Bitburger is refusing to be controlled, as Rivera sits in half guard.
Bitburger is pressing down on Rivera's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Bitburger wants to sweep but no luck.
Bitburger can't keep his opponent in guard - Rivera advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Rivera trying to pass the guard but Bitburger defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivera is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Bitburger works his way to full guard. Good work.
Bitburger bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rivera's guard.
Bitburger looking to pass the guard.
Rivera looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bitburger trying to control the position from guard on top but Rivera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bitburger pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rivera is keeping the position for now.
Rivera 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.
Bitburger stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rivera swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Rivera kicks Bitburger off and gets to his feet.
Rivera moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Rivera tries to clinch there but Bitburger circles away.
Bitburger keeps the fight on the outside.

Rivera clinches with his opponent.
Rivera unloads a knee to the mid-section. Bitburger lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Bitburger tries to circle away but Rivera has him pinned against the cage.
Bitburger is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rivera pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rivera lands an elbow just above Bitburger 's eye.
Bitburger changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rivera fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Rivera pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bitburger closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rivera circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Bitburger. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rivera fails to land with a series of punches.
Bitburger fails with the takedown.

Rivera has managed to clinch.
Rivera is pressed up against the cage. Bitburger has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rivera down to the mat. Rivera avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rivera tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bitburger swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rivera tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bitburger paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bitburger takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Rivera stuffs the takedown.
Rivera moves in looking to clinch but Bitburger pushes him off.
Bitburger shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rivera as he avoids it easily.
Rivera lands a jab-cross combination.
Bitburger scores with a one two! Rivera had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Mike Bitburger is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rivera tries to clinch up but Bitburger circles away and keeps his distance.
Rivera lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Rivera misses with a head kick.

Bitburger closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Rivera tries to escape but Bitburger is in control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Raphael Rivera will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Rivera works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Rivera gets a clinch.
A short left from Rivera.
Bitburger has Rivera pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rivera manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Rivera lands with a right to the head.

Bitburger gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Bitburger working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Rivera's thigh. Rivera counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Bitburger trying to control but Rivera is working from the bottom.
Bitburger trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Rivera pushes Bitburger off and scrambles back to his feet.
Rivera throws a combination. Bitburger tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera tries to clinch up.
Bitburger looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rivera wants to clinch.
Bitburger tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rivera sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bitburger somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Bitburger. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Some wild striking there from Rivera.

Bitburger fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Rivera sprawls well initially but Bitburger persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Bitburger is looking to pass Rivera's guard but actually Rivera recovers to full guard.
Rivera keeping full guard, as Bitburger tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rivera manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Bitburger shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rivera as he avoids it easily.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rivera. That's going to slow Bitburger down.

Rivera drives through and clinches with Bitburger against the cage.
Rivera gets through Bitburger's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Rivera lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Bitburger takes an elbow to the forehead.
A knee to the head by Rivera.
Rivera scores with a knee to the head.
Rivera comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Rivera tries a knee to the head but Bitburger blocks it.
Rivera prevents the takedown attempt.
Rivera creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Bitburger's defenses.
Rivera tries a knee to the head but Bitburger blocks it.
Rivera lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bitburger backwards.
Rivera lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Rivera lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Rivera lands a nice elbow.
Rivera lands a knee to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivera pushes Bitburger back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rivera lands a knee to the head.
Bitburger takes a knee to the side of the body.
Bitburger has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rivera avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Rivera throws a knee to the head but misses.
Rivera gets underhooks to prevent Bitburger's takedown attempt.
Rivera lands a right hand that snaps the head of Bitburger backwards.
Bitburger has Rivera pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rivera manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Rivera with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bitburger goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rivera prevents it.
Rivera prevents a takedown attempt there.
Rivera with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A short left from Rivera.
Rivera gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Bitburger is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rivera gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Rivera putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Bitburger in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Rivera tries a knee to the head but Bitburger blocks it.
Rivera tries a knee to the head but Bitburger blocks it.
Bitburger tries for a takedown. No joy.
Rivera scores with a knee to the head.
Rivera connects with a nasty looking knee right to Bitburger's face.
Rivera lands a shoulder strike.
Bitburger 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.
Bitburger drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rivera gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivera landing knees to the head.
Bitburger is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Bitburger takes a knee right on the jaw!
Rivera gets underhooks to prevent Bitburger's takedown attempt.
Bitburger has Rivera pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rivera manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Rivera lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Bitburger tries to score a body lock takedown but Rivera shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Bitburger tries for a takedown but Rivera manages to get underhooks.
Rivera lands an elbow inside.
Bitburger takes an elbow to the forehead.
Bitburger goes for a takedown attempt but Rivera pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Bitburger shoots in for a takedown but Rivera shows good takedown defense.
Mike Bitburger has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Rivera instigates a clinch.
Rivera scores with a nice hook to the head.
Bitburger 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.
Rivera lands a knee to the head.
Nice elbow from Rivera.

And that's the end of the fight!
Raphael Rivera comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rivera winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 27:30
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30

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