PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Carlos Rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yuri Ivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rivera's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Your Hand in Mine. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Rivera
vs
Ivanov

190 cm
25
197 lbs
16 - 6 - 1

185 cm
22
198 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

[CBK] Smashwear Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Carlos Rivera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yuri Ivanov!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Hirohito Nitta and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ivanov connects with a right hand. Rivera shakes it off.
Ivanov avoids the body shot from Rivera.
Ivanov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Rivera misses with a head kick.
Rivera swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Ivanov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Rivera looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ivanov controlling the position from side mount.
Ivanov sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Rivera is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Rivera tries to buck Ivanov off but Ivanov is having none of it.
Ivanov is trying to ground and pound but Rivera uses the momentary lack of control by Ivanov to regain half guard.
Rivera trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov wants to pass the guard but Rivera is defending well.
Ivanov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rivera does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Rivera has one foot on Ivanov's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Rivera pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ivanov feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rivera's calf.
Rivera checks a low kick from Ivanov.
A cross from Rivera lands.
Ivanov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Rivera missing with a left hand there. Ivanov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ivanov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ivanov throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Rivera throws a low kick, looking for Ivanov's leg but Ivanov calmly moves out of range.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Rivera.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Rivera.
Ivanov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ivanov throws a shot to the body.
Ivanov connects with a solid leg kick.
Ivanov throws a hook but Rivera avoids it easily.
Ivanov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rivera. That did some damage!
Rivera misses with a body kick.
Rivera throws a hook but Ivanov blocks it.
Ivanov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivera pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rivera takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Rivera chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ivanov can pounce on him.
Rivera on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Rivera takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Ivanov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rivera's head backwards.
Ivanov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rivera throws the left hand but Ivanov avoids the punch easily.
Rivera thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ivanov tries to work over Rivera's front leg with a kick but Rivera checks it.
Rivera thows a body shot but no joy.
Ivanov throws an off balance right hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Rivera slips under a jab from Ivanov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov cracks Rivera with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Rivera slips under a jab.
Ivanov throws a leg kick which misses Rivera's front leg but catches the back leg as Rivera tries to avoid it.
Rivera throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rivera delivers a nice body kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ivanov has a takedown stuffed.
That kick from Ivanov tenderised Rivera's leg. Rivera is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ivanov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rivera.
Ivanov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

It looks like Yuri Ivanov has been cut.
Ivanov scores with a head kick. Rivera tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Ivanov throws a poor cross that misses
letting Rivera counter with a right hand.
Nice sprawl there from Rivera as Ivanov shoots in.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov throws a nice looking combination but Rivera bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Rivera lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Ivanov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Ivanov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Yuri Ivanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rivera throws a sloppy head kick and Ivanov moves out of range easily.
Rivera lands a nice shot to the body.
Nice shot by Rivera.
Rivera tries to work over Ivanov's front leg with a kick but Ivanov checks it.
Rivera displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ivanov.
Carlos Rivera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yuri Ivanov.
A big right from Ivanov misses.
Rivera checks a low kick from Ivanov.
Rivera feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Ivanovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
A jab from Ivanov misses.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Rivera shoots in for a takedown but Ivanov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A low kick from Ivanov misses
and Rivera counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Ivanov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Rivera is out of range.
Rivera checks a leg kick nicely.
Rivera misses with an uppercut. Ivanov saw that one coming.
A jab from Rivera does it's job there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ivanov thows a left - swing and a miss!

Ivanov gets the takedown into side control.
Rivera is pushing Ivanov's head away, looking to escape. Ivanov manages to hold on to the position though.
Ivanov is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Ivanov trying to control the position but Rivera is working away.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Ivanov throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
An elbow from Ivanov crashes against the mat.
Rivera tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ivanov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Rivera is pushing Ivanov's head away, looking to escape. Ivanov manages to hold on to the position though.
Rivera is looking for a sweep.
Ivanov wants to control but Rivera is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rivera tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ivanov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov working the ground and pound.
Ivanov misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Ivanov prevents Rivera from escaping the position.
Ivanov working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Ivanov working the head and body with strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rivera is not content to let Ivanov control the position.
Ivanov lands an elbow.
Rivera wants to control but Ivanov postures up.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Rivera regains half guard, as Ivanov was trying to land strikes.
Ivanov prevents Rivera from standing back up.
Ivanov trying to control from half guard but Rivera is working away.
Rivera is controlling Ivanov's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Rivera wants to get back to full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ivanov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ivanov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuri Ivanov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Yuri Ivanov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Ivanov.
Ivanov moves out of range as Rivera throws a body kick.
Ivanov scores with a shot to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Rivera misses the target.
Rivera steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ivanov.
Ivanov tries to score with a low kick but Rivera moves his leg out of the way.
Rivera blocks the body kick.
Rivera is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Ivanov throws a solid leg kick but Rivera takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Ivanov.
Ivanov connects with a crisp jab.
Rivera throws a leg kick but Ivanov sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ivanov motions for Rivera to come forward. Ivanov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ivanov shoots in for a takedown but Rivera shows good takedown defense.
Ivanov dives in and grabs Rivera's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rivera pushes down on Ivanov's head and hops out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera misses with a low kick.
Ivanov slips under a jab from Rivera.
Rivera misses with a body shot.
Ivanov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ivanov checks a leg kick.
Rivera ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rivera ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ivanov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Ivanov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Rivera throws a body punch but Ivanov moves out of range.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Ivanov.
Ivanov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rivera pinned against the cage. Rivera gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Carlos Rivera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yuri Ivanov.
Ivanov shoots in for a takedown but Rivera shows good takedown defense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Rivera.
Rivera shoots in looking for a takedown. Ivanov tries to sprawl out of it but Rivera keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ivanov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Carlos Rivera is winning the standup battle so far.
An inside leg kick from Rivera misses.
Rivera throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ivanov's waist but Ivanov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rivera off to one side.
Ivanov shoots for a takedown but Rivera saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ivanov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Rivera is out of range.
Rivera sizes up Ivanov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ivanov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rivera sprawls well. Rivera wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ivanov gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivera goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Good leg kick by Ivanov there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Ivanov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ivanov misses with a low kick.
Rivera throws the kick towards the body but Ivanov avoids it.
Rivera lands a right hook to the body.
Rivera pivots, looking for a leg kick but Ivanov is out of range and Rivera settles back down.
Rivera attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Good leg kick by Ivanov there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivera checks a low kick from Ivanov.
Ivanov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ivanov lands a nice shot that snaps Rivera's head back.
Ivanov shoots in for a takedown but Rivera shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A slow jab from Rivera misses its intended target.
Ivanov throws a leg kick but Rivera sees it coming and moves out of range.
Rivera keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ivanov.
Ivanov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Ivanov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Ivanov moves away from the strike by Rivera.
Rivera blocks a jab.
Ivanov tries to work over Rivera's front leg with a kick but Rivera checks it.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Ivanov, right into the meat.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Rivera throws a nice inside leg kick.
Rivera lands a head shot.
Ivanov throws a leg kick but Rivera sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ivanov misses with a body shot
and Rivera counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rivera throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Ivanov shoots in and drives through. Rivera sprawls well.
Ivanov is breathing heavily.
Rivera scores with a push kick.
Rivera connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Rivera gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Ivanov trying to control but Rivera is working from the bottom.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov wants to pass the guard but Rivera is keeping the position.
Rivera controls Ivanov momentarily but Ivanov frees himself.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Rivera holds on and takes a little breather.
Ivanov trying to control the position from guard on top but Rivera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Ivanov scores with a spinning back kick!
Ivanov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Rivera takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Ivanov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rivera manages to avoid it.

Ivanov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Rivera can't do much from the bottom here.
Ivanov trying to control the action but Rivera is working from the bottom.
Rivera gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Ivanov lands with a punch from half guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Rivera gets back to full guard.
Ivanov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ivanov looking to pass the guard.
Rivera keeping moving, preventing Ivanov from controlling successfully.
Ivanov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rivera keeping full guard, as Ivanov tries to pass.
Ivanov wants to control from the top but Rivera keeps moving.
Yuri Ivanov has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov throwing strikes from guard but Rivera blocks nicely.
Rivera wants to improve his position but instead Ivanov has moved into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rivera is refusing to be controlled, as Ivanov sits in half guard.
Rivera works his way to full guard. Good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Yuri Ivanov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Yuri Ivanov's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Rivera cracks Ivanov with a good jab.
Rivera throws a hook but Ivanov avoids it easily.
Rivera looks to land a left hand but Ivanov moved out of range nicely.
Ivanov avoids the head kick by Rivera.
Rivera connects with a right hand. Ivanov shakes it off.
Rivera misses with a wild body shot.
Ivanov tries for a takedown but Rivera sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ivanov tries a low kick but Rivera avoids it.
Rivera fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Ivanov is out of range.
Rivera misses with a hook. Ivanov ducked under it nicely.
Ivanov throws a leg kick but Rivera sees it coming and moves out of range.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Rivera.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov wants to land a leg kick but Rivera is out of range.
Ivanov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rivera slaps away a takedown attempt from Ivanov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ivanov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ivanov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A leg kick checked by Rivera.
Ivanov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A punch lands to the side of Rivera 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Rivera is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Ivanov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rivera sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ivanov somewhat.
Carlos Rivera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yuri Ivanov.
Rivera throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Rivera throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rivera avoids the body shot from Ivanov.
Jab, jab by Rivera - just one landing.
Rivera slips a jab from Ivanov.
Ivanov shoots in for a takedown but Rivera shows good takedown defense.
Rivera slips under a jab.
Ivanov throws a head kick that misses.
Rivera lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Ivanov misses with a straight left.
Good work by Rivera as he checks the leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ivanov shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

Ivanov shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Ivanov was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Ivanov controlling the position easily from mount.
Rivera tries to hold on but Ivanov postures up.
Ivanov throws a wild left hand from mount and Rivera manages to wriggle his way back to half guard.
Rivera is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivera wants to get back to his feet.
Rivera is not content to let Ivanov control the position.
Ivanov passes to side control.
Ivanov trying to control the action but Rivera is working from the bottom.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Rivera is looking for a sweep.
Rivera is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Ivanov off and has taken his back!
Ivanov wants to control his opponent's hands but Rivera gets his hands free.
Ivanov tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Rivera sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Rivera wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Ivanov is looking to get to half guard.
Rivera punching from mount but Ivanov doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Ivanov tries to hold on but Rivera pushes him away.

Rivera wants to finish this one by submission but Ivanov is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Rivera.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Rivera controlling the pace for now.
Rivera wants to control the pace but Ivanov is squirming around nicely.
Rivera takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov tries to hold on but Rivera pushes him away.
Ivanov regains half guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Rivera content to control rather than advance.

We're going to have a standup here because Carlos Rivera wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Rivera scores with a hook to the body. Ivanov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rivera.
Ivanov moves away from the strike by Rivera.
Rivera connects with a body shot that sends Ivanov's belly button to the back.
Ivanov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Rivera thows a body shot but no joy.
Ivanov lands a leg kick that knocks Rivera off balance momentarily.
Ivanov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Rivera pivots, looking for a leg kick but Ivanov is out of range and Rivera settles back down.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rivera moves out of range of the leg kick from Ivanov.
Ivanov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Rivera thows a body shot but no joy.

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 Carlos Rivera.
I think Ivanov 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight for Yuri Ivanov!
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Yuri Ivanov!
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight for Yuri Ivanov!

Yuri Ivanov wins by unanimous decision!