PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Eric Rivers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dustin Fletcher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Rivers
vs
Fletcher

178 cm
19
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

168 cm
23
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Eric Rivers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Dustin Fletcher!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Skip Squint and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rivers has taken the fight to the clinch.
Fletcher looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Rivers's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Rivers has Fletcher pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Fletcher manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Rivers drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Fletcher gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Rivers slowing the pace effectively.
Rivers has Fletcher pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Fletcher manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Rivers. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Rivers pulls guard.
Rivers on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Rivers tries to get out of the position.

Rivers has his foot on Fletcher's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Fletcher works his way back into a safe position though.
Rivers knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Fletcher on the ground.
Fletcher trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rivers 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.

Rivers working for a triangle but Fletcher defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fletcher tries to free his leg and advance position but Rivers is retaining full guard.
Rivers has his hands on Fletcher's head, controlling the position.
Fletcher trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rivers is on top in guard.
Rivers preventing the sweep.

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.
Rivers throwing strikes but missing.
Rivers seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Rivers stopping the sweep attempt from Fletcher.
Rivers lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fletcher can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Rivers controls the pace.
Fletcher has momentary wrist control but Rivers slips an elbow through the middle.
Rivers stays in close to Fletcher's body and controls the position.
Fletcher has a closed guard, preventing Rivers from standing up.
Rivers pushing down on Fletcher's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Rivers is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Eric Rivers just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Rivers tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Fletcher swivels and escapes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Rivers moves into the clinch successfully.

Rivers pulls guard effortlessly.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Rivers 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.

Rivers tries to clinch but Fletcher is having none of it.

Rivers darts in and clinches Fletcher up against the cage.

Rivers breaks the clinch.

Fletcher gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Rivers to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Rivers has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Rivers lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Rivers trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rivers scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Rivers stands and throws Fletcher's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Fletcher taking punishment in the form of punches.
Fletcher is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rivers decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Eric Rivers seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Rivers moves into range and clinches up with Fletcher.
Fletcher prevents a takedown attempt there.

Rivers breaks from the clinch.

Rivers takes the fight into the clinch.
Rivers digs a right hand underneath Fletcher's ribcage. Fletcher let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Rivers has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Rivers pulls Fletcher into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fletcher avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Fletcher stops Rivers from standing up.
Fletcher preventing the sweep.
Fletcher tries to free his leg and advance position but Rivers is retaining full guard.

Fletcher drops back looking for a leg! Rivers is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Rivers manages to kick Fletcher off! Fletcher jumps back into Rivers's guard.
Rivers controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
A clash of legs there as Fletcher blocks the low kick.
Rivers shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Fletcher defends it nicely.

Rivers pushes Fletcher up against the cage in a clinch.
Fletcher managing to block the knees to the body from Rivers.

Rivers successfully pulls guard.
Rivers looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fletcher is one step ahead there.
Fletcher looking to pass the guard.
Rivers 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 four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Rivers has his feet on Fletcher's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Rivers tries to clinch there but Fletcher circles away.
Rivers shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Fletcher defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Rivers. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Fletcher gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Rivers to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Rivers controlling from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Rivers dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Rivers misses with a takedown attempt - Fletcher sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Fletcher shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rivers counters with a right hand to the body.
Rivers misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Eric Rivers is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rivers scores with a jab to the body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rivers.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Rivers. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Rivers clinches.
Fletcher takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fletcher has Rivers pressed against the cage, preventing Rivers from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivers's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Rivers has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Rivers jumps guard.

Rivers had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Fletcher defends it easily.
Rivers managing to control the position.
Fletcher won't allow Rivers to sweep him here.
Fletcher is fighting to break Rivers's control of his arms but Rivers is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's two 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.
Rivers keeping full guard, as Fletcher tries to pass.
Rivers controlling the position.
Rivers 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.
Fletcher in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Fletcher preventing the sweep.

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

Rivers gets a takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivers lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Rivers with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Rivers uses his free foot to push down on Fletcher's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Fletcher.
Fletcher is trying desperately to improve position.

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.
Rivers controlling his opponent.
Rivers lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Rivers controlling the position easily from mount.
Dustin Fletcher has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rivers with good strikes from the mount here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Eric Rivers showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Rivers has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Damien Edna scores the fight 30:27
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eric Rivers!