PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Raphael Rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeff Gomes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rivera's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Right Said FRED---I'm to Sexy. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Rivera
vs
Gomes

196 cm
20
281 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

195 cm
25
265 lbs
5 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
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 7 - 3 - 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 5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jeff Gomes!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Leandro Rodrigues and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gomes swinging wildly here.
Gomes throws a nice looking combination but Rivera bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A punch combination from Gomes misses.
Gomes looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rivera wants to clinch up but Gomes keeps it at a distance.
Rivera is looking to clinch.
Gomes avoids the head kick by Rivera.
Rivera wants to clinch up but Gomes keeps it at a distance.

Rivera moves into the clinch successfully.
Rivera creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Gomes's defenses.
Rivera scores a nice knee to the body.
Gomes looks gassed!
Rivera stalling in the clinch.

Rivera pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Rivera drives through and clinches with Gomes against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rivera lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Gomes takes a knee right on the jaw!
Rivera lands a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Rivera.
Rivera connects with a knee to the head.
Rivera stalls.
Rivera comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Gomes letting Rivera take a breather here.

Rivera pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rivera tries to clinch but Gomes moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rivera scores with a head kick.
Jeff Gomes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Rivera darts in and clinches Gomes up against the cage.

Rivera pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Rivera closes the distance and clinches.
Rivera unloads a knee to the mid-section. Gomes lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Rivera landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Rivera avoiding damage.
Rivera landing knees to the head.
Rivera taking a breather.
Gomes is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rivera scores a nice knee to the body.
Rivera putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Gomes in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Rivera connects with a knee to the head.
Gomes wants a takedown.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Rivera takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Rivera manages to break the clinch.
Gomes with a jab.
A head kick misses from Rivera.
Rivera looks for the body kick but Gomes saw that one coming.
Gomes lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rivera circles away quickly and effectively.

Rivera closes the distance and pushes Gomes back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rivera breaks from the clinch.
Rivera is looking to clinch but Gomes is avoiding it.
Rivera tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gomes swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Rivera moves into the clinch.
Rivera lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Rivera tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rivera lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Rivera with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Rivera lands a good knee to the midsection. Gomes won't want to take too many of those.

Rivera breaks from the clinch.
Gomes misses with the combination.
Gomes throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rivera throws a head kick that half lands.

Rivera takes the fight into the clinch.
Gomes drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rivera gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Raphael Rivera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeff Gomes.
Rivera lands a nice knee to the body.
Rivera lands a good knee to the midsection. Gomes won't want to take too many of those.

Rivera escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gomes takes a kick to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gomes circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gomes misses with a series of wild punches.

Rivera drives through and clinches with Gomes against the cage.
Gomes takes a knee to the side of the body.
Gomes has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rivera avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Rivera's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rivera tries to clinch there but Gomes circles away.
Gomes throws a hook to the side of Rivera's head but Rivera sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Rivera moves into the clinch successfully.
Rivera landing knees to the head.
Gomes looking for a takedown.
Rivera will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Gomes up against the cage.
Rivera lands a knee to the body.
Rivera throws a knee to the head but misses.
Rivera with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Gomes wants a takedown.
Gomes takes an elbow to the temple.
Rivera putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Gomes in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Rivera prevents a takedown attempt there.

Rivera breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A head kick misses from Rivera.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gomes uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rivera.
Gomes misses with a double jab.
Gomes throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Rivera clinches up against the cage.
Rivera landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Rivera landing knees to the head.
Gomes drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rivera pulls his leg out and moves away.

Rivera closes the distance and clinches.
Rivera misses with a knee strike.
Gomes has Rivera pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rivera manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Rivera putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Gomes in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Rivera lands a nice knee to the body.
Gomes is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rivera is trying to maintain a safe position but Gomes gets an underhook and turns Rivera into the cage.
Rivera taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gomes tries for a takedown. No joy.
Gomes is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rivera crunches a lovely knee into Gomes's ribcage.
Rivera lands a nice elbow.

Rivera breaks the clinch.
Rivera avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rivera fails with an attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rivera lands with a nice combination. Gomes backs away looking to recover.
Gomes falls off balance throwing a combination

and Rivera moves into the clinch.
Rivera lands a good knee to the midsection. Gomes won't want to take too many of those.
Rivera is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gomes can do to turn this around?
Gomes has Rivera pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rivera manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Rivera obliges.
Rivera with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Rivera lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Gomes tries to score a body lock takedown but Rivera shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Rivera creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Gomes's defenses.
Rivera lands a damaging elbow.
Rivera taking a breather.
Rivera landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Rivera working Gomes over with knees to the body.
Rivera landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Gomes tries for a takedown. No joy.
Raphael Rivera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeff Gomes.
Gomes is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rivera'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.
Gomes goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rivera prevents it.
Raphael Rivera has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Gomes 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 taking a breather.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Rivera breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Rivera closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gomes takes a knee right on the jaw!
Rivera trying to control the position but instead, Gomes has worked for underhooks and has pushed Rivera into the cage.
Rivera with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rivera connects with a nasty looking knee right to Gomes's face.
Gomes 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.
Gomes can't get the takedown.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Rivera obliges.
Gomes has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rivera is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Rivera with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Rivera with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Rivera connects with a nasty looking knee right to Gomes's face.
Rivera utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Rivera lands a nice knee to the body.
Gomes takes an elbow to the forehead.

Rivera manages to break the clinch.
Gomes misses with a few strikes there.
Rivera is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gomes avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gomes darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Rivera has closed the distance and engaged Gomes in a clinch.
Gomes goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rivera prevents it.
Gomes takes a knee to the side of the body.
Rivera working Gomes over with knees to the body.
Gomes wants a takedown.
Rivera tries to stall but Gomes uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Nice elbow from Rivera.
Gomes tries for a takedown. No joy.

Rivera breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Rivera clinches up with Gomes and pushes him back against the cage.
Gomes wants a takedown.

Rivera breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rivera looks to score with a jab to the body but Gomes is just out of range.
Rivera is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rivera tries to clinch but Gomes moves out of range.

Rivera moves into the clinch.
Gomes changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rivera fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Rivera is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Rivera tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gomes paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rivera clinches.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Rivera working Gomes over with knees to the body.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Rivera gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Rivera breaks the clinch.
Gomes swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rivera slips a jab and a cross from Gomes.
Gomes keeps the fight on the outside.
Gomes throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rivera moves in looking to clinch but Gomes pushes him off.
Rivera drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

Rivera fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gomes, pushing him back against the cage.

Rivera pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Rivera moves into the clinch.
Gomes drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Rivera obliges.
Rivera stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rivera breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rivera thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Gomes if he has to take too many more of those.
Rivera wants to clinch.
Gomes misses with the combination.

Rivera clinches up with Gomes and pushes him back against the cage.
Gomes wants a takedown but no success here.
Rivera lands an elbow inside.

Rivera's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Rivera darts in and clinches Gomes up against the cage.
Rivera scores with a knee to the head.
Gomes 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.
Gomes wants a takedown but no success here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rivera landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Gomes changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rivera fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Rivera tries to clinch but Gomes moves out of range.
Rivera lands with a slapping head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raphael Rivera dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Gomes throws a right hand that Rivera ducks under and follows up with a left that Rivera also avoids with ease.
Rivera tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gomes swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gomes throws a series of punches but Rivera avoids them all with ease.
Rivera is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rivera tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gomes paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rivera fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Gomes looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Rivera tries to clinch but Gomes is having none of it.
Rivera tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gomes paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Rivera moves into the clinch.
Rivera gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gomes.
Rivera lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Rivera lands a knee to the head.
Rivera lands a good knee to the midsection. Gomes won't want to take too many of those.

Rivera escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Gomes scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Rivera tries to clinch but Gomes moves out of range.
Rivera fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gomes takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Gomes misses with a double jab

and Rivera counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gomes drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gomes drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rivera gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Raphael Rivera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeff Gomes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rivera lands a good knee to the midsection. Gomes won't want to take too many of those.
Rivera connects with a nasty looking knee right to Gomes's face.
Rivera utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Rivera is pressed up against the cage. Gomes 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.
Gomes misses with a combination

and Rivera counters by clinching up.
Rivera taking a breather.
A knee to the head by Rivera.
Rivera prevents a takedown attempt there.
Knees in the clinch landing for Rivera.
Rivera looking to slow down the pace here.
Gomes is working for takedown but Rivera is calmly controlling the position for now.
Rivera avoiding damage.
Rivera seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Nice elbow from Rivera.
Rivera landing knees to the head.
Jeff Gomes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivera landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Rivera with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rivera connects with a knee to the head.
Gomes tries to score a body lock takedown but Rivera shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Rivera's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rivera tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gomes throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rivera fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rivera throws a right hand that Gomes ducks under and follows up with a left that Gomes also avoids with ease.
Rivera fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rivera lands a head kick!
Gomes falls off balance throwing a combination
and Rivera counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Gomes misses with the combination.
Rivera ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Rivera gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rivera with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Gomes takes a knee to the side of the body.
Rivera putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Gomes in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Gomes wants a takedown but no success here.
Gomes has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rivera avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Rivera landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gomes has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rivera avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Rivera's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gomes falls off balance throwing a combination

and Rivera counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rivera.
Rivera throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Gomes blocks it with crossed arms.
Gomes wants a takedown.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Rivera.
Gomes tries for a takedown but Rivera manages to get underhooks.

Rivera's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Rivera takes the fight into the clinch.
Raphael Rivera is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gomes drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rivera lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Gomes is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rivera gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Gomes looking for a takedown.
Gomes has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rivera is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Gomes takes a knee right on the jaw!
Rivera lands an elbow inside.

Rivera's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rivera lands with a slapping head kick.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Rivera.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rivera moves into the clinch.
Rivera crunches a lovely knee into Gomes's ribcage.
Rivera gets underhooks to prevent Gomes's takedown attempt.
Rivera gets underhooks to prevent Gomes's takedown attempt.
Rivera is pressed up against the cage. Gomes 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 drives through and clinches with Gomes against the cage.

Rivera escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Rivera has taken the fight to the clinch.
Gomes letting Rivera take a breather here.
Rivera connects with a knee to the head.
Gomes goes for a takedown attempt but Rivera pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Rivera forces Gomes back against the cage and clinches.
Rivera connects with a nasty looking knee right to Gomes's face.
A knee to the head by Rivera.
Gomes can't get the takedown.
Gomes drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rivera pulls his leg out and moves away.

Rivera moves into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Raphael Rivera showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Rivera 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:24
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:24
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:24

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