PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Angel Rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Markus Justice (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Rivera
vs
Justice

188 cm
23
179 lbs
8 - 10 - 0

182 cm
18
170 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Angel Rivera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Markus Justice!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, David Schapiro and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Justice throws a left and a right that both miss
and Rivera counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Justice thinking.
Justice has his takedown stuffed
and Rivera counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Justice misses with a double jab
and Rivera counters with a series of strikes. Justice will be more careful next time no doubt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Justice scores with a hook to the body. Rivera takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Rivera misses with a two punch combination.
Justice looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rivera is fending him off so far but Justice persists. Nope, Rivera circles away and we're back to standing.
Justice misses with the combination.
Justice looks gassed!

Justice shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Rivera wants to get back to his feet.
Rivera knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Justice on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Justice wants to pass the guard but Rivera is defending well.
Justice works his foot free and advances to mount.
Rivera is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Justice sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Poor strikes thrown by Justice there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Rivera is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

Justice is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Rivera is surviving well by controlling Justice's body position as best he can.
Rivera is really trying hard to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Justice has control of Rivera's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Rivera regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Rivera is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Poor strikes thrown by Justice there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

Rivera defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Justice.

Justice is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Rivera has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Rivera!
Rivera is looking to work some ground and pound but Justice has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Justice lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Rivera!

Justice wants to finish this one by submission but Rivera is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Justice.
Justice throws some wild stikes that Rivera manages to avoid easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Justice looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Justice unloads with some shots from mount but Rivera bucks and avoids them well.

Justice jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Rivera manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Justice is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Rivera is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Justice creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Rivera sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Justice throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Justice throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Justice works to advance to full mount. Rivera defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
The referee warns Rivera that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Rivera is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

Justice is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Rivera has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Justice looking to finish with strikes here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Justice lands a nice shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Markus Justice will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rivera moves out of range of the body kick.
Nice shot lands for Justice.
Rivera scores with a body shot.
Rivera will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Justice connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Rivera's hands.
Rivera dodges the punch combination from Justice.
Rivera blocks a head kick by Justice.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Justice.
Justice throws a right hand that Rivera ducks under and follows up with a left that Rivera also avoids with ease.
Justice is breathing heavily.
Rivera misses with a two punch combination.
Justice feints a jab promting Rivera to slip. Justice then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Rivera slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Justice misses with a double jab
letting Rivera counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rivera gets a clinch.

Rivera breaks from the clinch.
Rivera avoids the head kick by Justice.
Rivera falls off balance throwing a combination
and Justice counters with a nice body shot.
Justice shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rivera but Rivera pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Justice will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Justice misses with a takedown attempt - Rivera sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Angel Rivera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Markus Justice.
Rivera gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Angel Rivera is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivera tries to clinch but Justice moves out of range.
Justice swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Rivera counters with a two punch combo.
Rivera wants to clinch.
Justice tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rivera sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Justice somewhat.
Justice looks for a takedown but Rivera sprawls well.
Justice fails with the takedown
and Rivera counters with a left to the body.
Rivera is looking to clinch.
Justice tries for a takedown but Rivera circles away easily
and Rivera counters with a left and a right that stings Justice.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rivera gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Justice is pressed up against the cage. Rivera has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Justice down to the mat. Justice avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rivera's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Rivera duly obliges.
Left hook, right uppercut from Justice.
A head kick misses from Justice.
No luck for Justice with that takedown attempt.
Rivera with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Rivera tries to close the distance and clinch up but Justice swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Justice throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Rivera counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
No joy there for Rivera, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Justice swats away the attempt to clinch by Rivera.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Justice throws the left hand but Rivera avoids the punch easily.
Justice scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Rivera wants to clinch up but Justice keeps it at a distance.
A head kick misses from Justice.
Justice shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rivera cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Justice circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rivera tries to clinch but Justice moves out of range.
Justice works Rivera's body with a nice hook.
Justice pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A left lands for Justice.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rivera tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Angel Rivera dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

A shot to the body from Justice misses

and Rivera counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Rivera is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Justice pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Justice goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rivera prevents it.
Justice is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Justice has Rivera pressed against the cage, preventing Rivera from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Rivera changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Justice fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Justice clobbers Rivera with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Justice chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Justice lands a high kick!
Markus Justice seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Justice.
Justice misses with a takedown attempt - Rivera sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Angel Rivera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Markus Justice.
Justice lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Rivera drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Justice misses with a two punch combination.
Angel Rivera is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Justice lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Justice swats away the attempt to clinch by Rivera.
Rivera is looking to clinch.
Justice circles away from the clinch attempt
enabling Justice to counter with a crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Rivera has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Rivera is looking to clinch.
Justice fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rivera lands with a good body shot.
Justice avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Justice keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Justice tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rivera swivels and escapes.

Rivera has managed to clinch.
Justice is trying to break the clinch but Rivera is controlling him.
Justice is trying to force a seperation but Rivera has the dominant position.
Rivera goes for a takedown attempt but Justice pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Justice with a poor takedown
and Rivera counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Rivera moves in looking to clinch but Justice pushes him off.
Justice tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rivera sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Justice somewhat.
A lazy left from Rivera finds it's target.
Justice tries for a takedown but Rivera circles away easily
and Rivera counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Justice thinking.
Justice scores with a one two! Rivera had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
A combination from Rivera does no damage.
Angel Rivera is winning the standup battle so far.
Justice tries to work over Rivera's front leg with a kick but Rivera checks it.
Justice lands a lovely overhand right.
Justice swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Rivera counters with a left and a right that stings Justice.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Justice chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Justice shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rivera counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Rivera tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Justice scores with a one two! Rivera had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Donk. Justice catches Rivera right on the button with a cross.
Justice fails with a takedown attempt.
Rivera looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Justice misses with a double jab
and Rivera counters with a left and a right that stings Justice.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Angel Rivera.
I think Rivera has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 29:29
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 29:29
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!