PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Chris Genovese (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Riley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Genovese comes to the cage accompanied by Kick-Ass: Music Soundtrack. Michael Riley is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Genovese
vs
Riley

173 cm
20
157 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

166 cm
27
151 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Intelligent

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Balco Boys - Hilo
Balco Boys Battle Gear

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Chris Genovese!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Michael Riley!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Riley looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Genovese is fending him off so far but Riley persists. Nope, Genovese circles away and we're back to standing.
A solid body kick from Genovese.
Genovese misses with an attempted mid kick.
Chris Genovese seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Riley shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Genovese counters by moving into the clinch.
Genovese misses with a punch on the inside.

Genovese breaks from the clinch.
A slapping body kick lands there for Genovese.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riley closes the distance and clinches up with Genovese, looking for a takedown. Riley pushes Genovese against the cage but Genovese circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Chris Genovese has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Riley.
Riley chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Genovese can pounce on him.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Riley fails with the takedown
and Genovese counters with a leg kick.

Genovese takes the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Genovese works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Riley is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Genovese pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Genovese connects with a knee to the head.
Genovese softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Riley struggles to land a body shot inside as Genovese controls his hands.

Genovese breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Genovese throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Riley on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Genovese throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Riley shoots in and drives through. Genovese sprawls well.
Genovese lands with a kick to the ribs.
Riley with a poor takedown
and Genovese counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Riley is lucky that one didn't land flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riley blocks the body kick.
Riley doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Genovese counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Genovese throws a knee to the head but misses.
Riley has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Genovese is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Riley dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Genovese blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Genovese dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Riley has his takedown stuffed
and Genovese counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Riley doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Genovese counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Riley has his takedown stuffed
and Genovese counters with a low kick, right behind Riley 's knee.
Chris Genovese has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Riley.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riley tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Genovese manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Genovese wants to clinch up but Riley keeps it at a distance.
Genovese lands an overhand right.
Riley moves out of range of the body kick from Genovese.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Genovese as Riley shoots in.
Genovese avoids a punch combination nicely.
Riley gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Genovese connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Genovese lands a front kick.
Chris Genovese is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Genovese bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Riley's head backwards.
Genovese is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Riley shoots and misses
and Genovese counters with a two punch combo.
Genovese displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Riley.
Riley shoots in but no luck this time.
Chris Genovese is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riley fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Genovese tries a head kick but it misses.

Genovese rushes Riley and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Genovese dominated that second round.
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.

Genovese misses with a double jab.
Genovese tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Riley has his takedown stuffed
and Genovese counters with a stiff right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Genovese scores with a kick to the midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Genovese uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Riley is trying desperately to land a takedown but Genovese is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Riley.
Riley shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Genovese pinned against the cage. Genovese gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Riley steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Genovese.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Genovese pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Genovese dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Riley. That did some damage!
Riley takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Riley has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Genovese.
Crunch! Genovese slams his shin into Riley's torso.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Riley is defended easily by Genovese.
Chris Genovese has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Riley.
Riley takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Genovese keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Riley shoots in and gets a takedown into Genovese's guard.
Riley controlling from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Genovese working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Riley.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Genovese clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Genovese lands a big head kick that sends Riley tumbling to the mat! Genovese takes a step backwards and waves Riley back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Riley is rocked!
Genovese defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Riley.
Riley is still on wobbly legs! Can Genovese finish him?
Genovese explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Riley has his takedown stuffed
enabling Genovese to counter with a crisp jab.
Riley shoots in and drives through. Genovese sprawls well.
Riley seems to have recovered his senses.
Chris Genovese has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Riley.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Genovese scores with a push kick.
Riley misses with a takedown

and Genovese holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Riley takes a shot to the head.

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

Riley tries to keep at a distance but Genovese has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Genovese landing knees to the body.
Riley is trying to drag Genovese to the mat but Genovese just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Genovese breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Riley takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Genovese looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Genovese throws a push kick but Riley slaps the foot to one side.
Nice body kick there by Genovese.
Riley is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Genovese throws a half hearted mid kick.
Genovese stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riley avoids a kick to the body.

Genovese clinches with his opponent.
Genovese tries a knee to the head but Riley blocks it.

Genovese breaks the clinch.
A cross from Genovese lands.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Genovese leaves Riley with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Genovese had his way with Michael Riley in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Riley doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Genovese counters with a body kick.
Riley tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Genovese paws at him with a jab and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck for Riley with that takedown attempt.
Riley has his takedown stuffed
enabling Genovese to counter with a crisp jab.
Chris Genovese has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Riley.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Genovese closes the distance and clinches.
Nice body punch from Genovese.
Riley stalling in the clinch but Genovese improves position.
Genovese using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Riley has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Genovese's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Riley has his takedown stuffed
and Genovese counters with a nice body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Genovese pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Riley gets a double leg takedown into Genovese's guard.
Genovese controlling the position.
Riley loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riley looking to sit in guard and control but Genovese gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Genovese engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Riley is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Riley is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

Genovese stands and steps away. Riley gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Genovese throws a head kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riley has his takedown stuffed
and Genovese counters with a low kick, right behind Riley 's knee.
Genovese is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Riley can do to turn this around?
A swing and a miss from Genovese.
Michael Riley has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Genovese connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chris Genovese showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Genovese, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 50:45
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 50:45
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 50:45

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