PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Erkki Junttila (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Rivero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Junttila comes to the cage accompanied by Disturbed - Voices. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Junttila
vs
Rivero

190 cm
21
200 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

184 cm
19
213 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

Extremely Crazy MMA gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Erkki Junttila!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Rivero!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, George Francis and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Junttila tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Junttila fails to land the takedown.
Junttila fails with the takedown.

Junttila gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Rivero really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Junttila. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rivero stands up over Junttila, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Rivero loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rivero is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.
Junttila manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rivero manages to get himself to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Junttila trying to control the position from guard on top but Rivero is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Junttila pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rivero is keeping the position for now.
Rivero keeping moving, preventing Junttila from controlling successfully.
Rivero looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Junttila thows a big elbow that misses.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Junttila trying to control but Rivero is working from the bottom.
Rivero looking for a sweep. Not yet Rivero, not yet.
Junttila wants to stand but Rivero is controlling his posture from full guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Junttila moves in looking to clinch but Rivero pushes him off.
Junttila tries for a takedown but Rivero circles away easily

and Rivero counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erkki Junttila. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rivero scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Junttila has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Rivero 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 Junttila.
Junttila is breathing heavily.
Junttila is looking to reverse the position.

Rivero has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Rivero drives through and clinches with Junttila against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Junttila goes for a takedown attempt but Rivero pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Rivero scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Rivero.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Junttila gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Junttila is in a horrible position here. Rivero smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Rivero unloading with bombs!
Junttila taking shots to the head.
Junttila is trying desperately to improve position.
Rivero breaks from Junttila's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Rivero with good strikes from the mount here!
Junttila takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivero breaks from Junttila's wrist control and lands an elbow.
The referee warns Junttila that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Rivero lands a nice shot to the head.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Junttila is working to get back to half guard.
Rivero working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Junttila slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Junttila is looking to escape.

Junttila has one foot on Rivero's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Erkki Junttila seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Junttila tries to clinch but Rivero moves away

and Rivero counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Junttila!
Rivero lands a big elbow.
Junttila working to try and regain half guard.
Rivero looking to finish with strikes here!
Junttila gets back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Junttila manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Junttila wants to get back to his feet but Rivero is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Junttila not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Junttila 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.

Junttila working for a triangle but Rivero defends it easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rivero wants to control from the top but Junttila keeps moving.

Junttila looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Rivero dominated that round.
That's time! Junttila's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Junttila darts in trying to clinch

and Rivero counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Rivero landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Junttila moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Junttila not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
John Rivero has got the better of the ground game so far.
Junttila is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Junttila is trying to work for a kimura but Rivero is defending well.

Junttila stands up from half guard.
Junttila tries for a takedown but Rivero circles away easily

and Rivero counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Rivero.
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!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Junttila is on top in guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rivero is looking to sweep but instead, Junttila has passed into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivero wants to control but Junttila is keeping busy.
The fighters are battling for position here. Rivero manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Junttila trying to control but Rivero is working from the bottom.
Junttila stops Rivero from standing up.

Junttila drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Rivero dives on top into guard.
Junttila trying to keep a closed guard but Rivero is proving a slippery customer.

Junttila looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rivero stopping the sweep attempt from Junttila.
Junttila manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Junttila is standing up, even though he is in mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Junttila shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rivero counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Junttila shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rivero as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erkki Junttila. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A combination from Rivero does no damage.
Junttila misses with a takedown attempt

and Rivero counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rivero.
Rivero prevents the takedown attempt.
Junttila tries for a takedown. No joy.
Junttila fails to pull guard.

Rivero turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Junttila is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Rivero off and has taken his back!
Rivero tries to break free.
Rivero rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

Rivero has one foot on Junttila's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Junttila darts in trying to clinch

and Rivero counters with a nice double leg into side control. Junttila won't be happy with that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Junttila manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Rivero is working for a submission of some sort.
Rivero is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Junttila taking some punishment here, with Rivero in his half guard.
Junttila is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Rivero scores with a couple of nice shots.
Rivero trying to control from half guard but Junttila is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rivero trying to control the pace.

Rivero gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Junttila tries to clinch there but Rivero circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivero throws a one two combo.
Rivero connects with a body shot.

Rivero gets the takedown into side control.
Rivero grinds an elbow into Junttila's temple.
Junttila is trying to escape the position but Rivero is controlling the position.
Rivero has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Junttila!
Junttila is squirming around, avoiding Rivero's attempts to control the action.
Junttila is trying desperately to improve position.
Junttila gets back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Junttila makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Junttila.

Junttila is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Junttila is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Rivero showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Junttila with a poor takedown

and Rivero counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Junttila's guard now.
Rivero wants to control from the top but Junttila keeps moving.
Rivero missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rivero advances to half guard.
Junttila is refusing to be controlled, as Rivero sits in half guard.
Junttila won't allow Rivero to pass to mount.
Junttila makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Junttila.
Junttila keeping full guard, as Rivero tries to pass.
Junttila manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Junttila stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Junttila tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Rivero makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivero lands a jab-cross combination.
Junttila takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Junttila wants to clinch up but Rivero keeps it at a distance.
A combination from Rivero does no damage.
Rivero moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Rivero shoots in and bounces Junttila off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Rivero stands and throws Junttila's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Rivero just content to control the position.
Rivero is looking to take a break and control but Junttila is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rivero connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Junttila some visible discomfort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivero scoring with punches from side control.
Rivero wants to lay and pray for a moment but Junttila keeps working.
Junttila manages to work his way to half guard, despite Rivero's best efforts.

Rivero is working for a submission of some sort.
Junttila is trying to control but can't.
Rivero with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Let's hope that Rivero has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Rivero prevents Junttila from standing back up.

Rivero stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Junttila to get to his feet.
Junttila gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Rivero counters with a three punch combo that has Junttila backing up. Junttila nods at Rivero to acknowledge the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Junttila shoots in for a takedown but Rivero shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erkki Junttila. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rivero stuffs the takedown.

Rivero has managed to clinch.
Junttila tries to pull guard but Rivero won't allow it.

Rivero escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rivero takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Rivero bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Erkki Junttila has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Junttila bucks up and tries to throw Rivero off but instead Rivero has got his back!
Rivero throwing damaging strikes from the back! Junttila could be in trouble here!
Rivero loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Junttila hold on?
Rivero trying to control momentarily.
Rivero has the hooks in. Junttila is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Rivero is riding his opponent, not letting Junttila buck him off.
Junttila is taking damage to the body and head.
Rivero not allowing Junttila to control his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivero scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Junttila rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

Junttila makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

Rivero closes the distance and clinches.
Knees in the clinch landing for Junttila.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!

Junttila jumps into guard, dragging Rivero to the mat.

Junttila working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rivero doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rivero manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Junttila keeping moving, preventing Rivero from controlling successfully.

Junttila isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Rivero stacks Junttila on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Rivero!
Rivero wants to control but Junttila is keeping him busy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Junttila is being controlled here.
Junttila striking from the bottom but nothing landed.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Rivero comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rivero has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Rivero!
John Rivero is the new light heavyweight champion!