PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jose Luis Montoya Rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Equinox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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 John Equinox was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Luis Montoya Rivera
vs
Equinox

170 cm
25
156 lbs
18 - 8 - 1

172 cm
30
153 lbs
24 - 16 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jose Luis Montoya Rivera!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Equinox!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Thiago Cunha and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Montoya Rivera circles away from the clinch attempt

and Montoya Rivera counters with a takedown into side control.
Montoya Rivera taking a breather here.
Montoya Rivera working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Montoya Rivera working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Montoya Rivera creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Equinox sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Equinox wants to control but Montoya Rivera postures up.
Montoya Rivera controls the position.

Montoya Rivera goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Equinox has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Montoya Rivera but great work by Equinox.

Equinox decides to stand up, so the ref orders Montoya Rivera to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Equinox throws a right and a left that both miss.
Equinox tries to clinch there but Montoya Rivera circles away.
Montoya Rivera just misses with a punch to the body.
Montoya Rivera slips a jab and a cross from Equinox.
Equinox wants to clinch
and Montoya Rivera counters with a left to the body.
Montoya Rivera throws a poor cross that misses
and Montoya Rivera takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Equinox checks a low kick from Montoya Rivera.
Equinox tries to clinch
and Montoya Rivera counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Equinox swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Montoya Rivera.
Equinox tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Montoya Rivera counters with a nice low kick that buckles Equinox's knee momentarily.
Montoya Rivera connects with the punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Montoya Rivera scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Montoya Rivera throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Equinox works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Montoya Rivera throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Equinox is defending against the submission attempts here by Montoya Rivera.
Equinox controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Luis Montoya Rivera dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Montoya Rivera finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Equinox swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Montoya Rivera counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Equinox throws a poor cross that misses
and Montoya Rivera counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Equinox connects with a crisp jab.
Montoya Rivera throws a series of punches but Equinox moves out of range.
Montoya Rivera throws a hook to the side of Equinox's head but Equinox sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Equinox tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Montoya Rivera manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Equinox throws the left hand but Montoya Rivera avoids the punch easily.
John Equinox is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Equinox takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Montoya Rivera avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Equinox swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Montoya Rivera.
Montoya Rivera misses with a lunging right hand

and Equinox counters by clinching up.
Montoya Rivera blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Montoya Rivera jumps guard but Equinox stands there with Montoya Rivera around his waist. Montoya Rivera gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Equinox misses with the head strike.
Equinox throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Montoya Rivera is looking to control Equinox's arms but Equinox gets an underhook and turns him. Now Montoya Rivera has his back to the cage.
Montoya Rivera blocks an uppercut.
Nice body punch from Equinox.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Montoya Rivera.
Montoya Rivera is looking to break free of the clinch but Equinox has double underhooks.
Equinox lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Montoya Rivera.
Equinox has Montoya Rivera pushed against the cage.
Good body shot from Equinox.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Equinox creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Equinox misses with a short punch on the inside.
Montoya Rivera has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Montoya Rivera blocking some punches.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Equinox.
Equinox is trying to maintain a safe position but Montoya Rivera gets an underhook and turns Equinox into the cage.
Equinox misses with a short punch on the inside.
Montoya Rivera lands a nice uppercut.
Montoya Rivera blocking some punches.
Montoya Rivera takes a shot to the head.
Montoya Rivera has had enough of the clinch but Equinox keeps him there for the moment.
Equinox lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Equinox doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Equinox lands a right hand that snaps the head of Montoya Rivera backwards.
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!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Equinox.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Montoya Rivera tries to break the clinch but Equinox is controlling the position.
A nice left hand lands by Montoya Rivera.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Equinox.
Equinox misses with a hook from the clinch.
Equinox throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Montoya Riveras head.
A right hook to the body lands for Equinox.
Equinox tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Equinox pushes Montoya Rivera back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Equinox throws a punch but it's blocked by Montoya Rivera.
Montoya Rivera blocks an uppercut.
Equinox pushes Montoya Rivera back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Equinox lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Equinox just leaning against Montoya Rivera, taking a breather.
A hook to the body from Equinox.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Equinox.
Equinox is trying to force a seperation but Montoya Rivera has the dominant position.
Equinox swings wildly with an uppercut but Montoya Rivera uses good head movement to avoid it.
Montoya Rivera blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Equinox throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Montoya Riveras head.
Equinox working aggressively here.
Montoya Rivera blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Equinox working aggressively here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Equinox lands a nice shot to the body.
Equinox misses with a punch on the inside.
Equinox lands a body shot in the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Montoya Rivera.
Montoya Rivera tries to break the clinch but Equinox is controlling the position.
A frustrated look appears on Equinox's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Equinox breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Equinox jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Montoya Rivera shoots in but no luck this time.
Montoya Rivera shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Equinox defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jose Luis Montoya Rivera. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Equinox lands a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Equinox showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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.

Equinox misses with a wild body shot.
Equinox is looking to clinch but Montoya Rivera is avoiding it.
Montoya Rivera scores with a decent looking hook.
Montoya Rivera avoids the body shot from Equinox.
Equinox misses with a body shot
and Montoya Rivera cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Equinox throws a lazy uppercut

and Montoya Rivera counters with a single leg into guard. Equinox didn't expect that.
Equinox manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Equinox tries to control but Montoya Rivera wriggling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Montoya Rivera is in all sorts of trouble here.

Equinox is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Montoya Rivera takes a swing at Equinox's ribcage but misses.

Montoya Rivera feints and as Equinox raises his hands in defense, Montoya Rivera changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Montoya Rivera throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Montoya Rivera trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Montoya Rivera wants to pass the guard but Equinox is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Montoya Rivera won't allow Equinox to sweep him here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Equinox keeping moving, preventing Montoya Rivera from controlling successfully.
Montoya Rivera looking to sit in guard and control but Equinox gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Montoya Rivera is trying to control the position but Equinox postures up.

Equinox stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Montoya Rivera throws a leg kick that is checked
and Equinox connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Montoya Rivera misses with a body punch
and Equinox counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Equinox leaves Montoya Rivera with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Equinox swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Montoya Rivera counters with a nice body kick.
Equinox is looking to clinch.
Montoya Rivera works the jab nicely.
Montoya Rivera lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Montoya Rivera scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Equinox tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Montoya Rivera manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Montoya Rivera fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Equinox to the ground. Montoya Rivera is now in Equinox's guard.
Montoya Rivera pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Equinox is keeping the position for now.
Equinox wants to sweep here but Montoya Rivera controlling him for the moment.
Equinox trying to control the position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Luis Montoya Rivera clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Equinox scores with a three punch combo!

It looks like Jose Luis Montoya Rivera has been cut.
Equinox cracks Montoya Rivera with a right hand to the side of the head.
Montoya Rivera throws a right hand that misses

and Equinox counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Equinox fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Equinox lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Montoya Rivera backwards.
Equinox stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Montoya Rivera takes a shot to the head.
Equinox doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Equinox doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Montoya Rivera's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Montoya Rivera motions for Equinox to come forward. Montoya Rivera throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Montoya Rivera tries to keep at a distance but Equinox has taken the fight into the clinch.
Equinox misses with a hook from the clinch.
Equinox misses with a hook to the ribs.
A body shot lands from Equinox.
Equinox gets through Montoya Rivera's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Montoya Rivera goes for a takedown attempt but Equinox pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Good leg kick by Montoya Rivera there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Montoya Rivera misses with a jab to the body
and Equinox counters with a straight right hand.
Montoya Rivera closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Montoya Rivera throws a big shot that misses.
Equinox tries to clinch
and Montoya Rivera counters with a stiff right hand.
Equinox tries to close the distance and clinch but Montoya Rivera swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Montoya Rivera tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Equinox swivels and escapes.
Montoya Rivera looks to score with a jab to the body but Equinox is just out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Montoya Rivera throws out a loose jab but Equinox uses good head movement to avoid it.
Montoya Rivera swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Equinox misses with a body shot.
Donk. Montoya Rivera catches Equinox right on the button with a cross.
Montoya Rivera closes the distance and clinches up with Equinox, looking for a takedown. Montoya Rivera pushes Equinox against the cage but Equinox circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jose Luis Montoya Rivera. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Equinox tries to close the distance and clinch but Montoya Rivera swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Montoya Rivera takes a shot right to the bread basket.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Equinox throws a shot from downtown. Montoya Rivera moves away and avoids it.
Jose Luis Montoya Rivera seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Equinox is looking to clinch.
A big right from Montoya Rivera misses.
Equinox misses with a straight right.
Montoya Rivera shoots in looking for a takedown but Equinox manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Montoya Rivera's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A jab from Montoya Rivera finds it's way through Equinox's defenses.
Montoya Rivera steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Equinox.
Montoya Rivera thows a body shot but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Equinox dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Jose Luis Montoya Rivera's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Equinox is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
John Equinox is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Equinox tries to clinch but Montoya Rivera moves out of range.
Equinox throws a predictable looking body shot

and Montoya Rivera counters with a single leg into guard. Equinox didn't expect that.
Montoya Rivera is stalling in the full guard.
Montoya Rivera trying to control but Equinox is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Equinox is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Equinox is trying to control the action in half guard but Montoya Rivera is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Equinox wants to stand but Montoya Rivera has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Montoya Rivera wants to improve his position but Equinox is controlling well.
Equinox throws a strike but Montoya Rivera avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's two 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.

Equinox gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Montoya Rivera is defended easily by Equinox.
Horrible takedown by Montoya Rivera or perhaps it was just good defense by Equinox which made him look bad.
Montoya Rivera misses with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Equinox tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Montoya Rivera slips a straight right by Equinox.
Equinox waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Montoya Rivera.
Equinox tests Montoya Rivera's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Montoya Rivera fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jose Luis Montoya Rivera. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sloppy strikes from Equinox. Those never looked like landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Equinox takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Montoya Rivera throws a leg kick but Equinox sees it coming and moves out of range.
Equinox looks to clinch
and Montoya Rivera counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
John Equinox seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Montoya Rivera just misses with a punch to the body.
Montoya Rivera jabbing away but nothing is landing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Montoya Rivera throws a lazy uppercut
and Equinox counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Montoya Rivera doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Equinox counters with a lovely straight right hand!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to John Equinox.
I think Equinox has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 47:48
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 47:48
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Equinox!
John Equinox is the new featherweight champion!