PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Carlos Cerqueira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jorge Rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cerqueira kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genuis that is CPM 22 - Dias Atrás. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Cerqueira
vs
Rivera

187 cm
20
187 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
20
185 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

MMA's Best Nutrition
Team S.W.A.T.

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Carlos Cerqueira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jorge Rivera!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Felipe Paraventi and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cerqueira has a takedown stuffed.
Horrible takedown by Cerqueira or perhaps it was just good defense by Rivera which made him look bad.
Cerqueira fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carlos Cerqueira. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Cerqueira shoots in and bounces Rivera off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rivera wants to stand up but Cerqueira is controlling him.
Cerqueirais looking to pass into half guard but Rivera pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Rivera is in guard.

Rivera avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rivera tries to stand but Cerqueira is controlling from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Cerqueira has an active guard here but Rivera has managed to pass into half guard.
Rivera seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rivera gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Cerqueira avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cerqueira blocks a head kick by Rivera.
Cerqueira shoots in for a double leg but Rivera sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cerqueira has a takedown stuffed.

Rivera has managed to clinch.
Rivera stops a takedown attempt from Cerqueira.
Rivera tries to land a knee to the head but Cerqueira blocks with his arms.
Cerqueira drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rivera gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Cerqueira is breathing heavily.

Rivera escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cerqueira tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rivera swivels and escapes.
Nice takedown defense from Rivera. No joy for Cerqueira on that attempt.
Cerqueira shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Carlos Cerqueira seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rivera tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rivera throws a nice outside leg kick.

Rivera drives through and clinches with Cerqueira against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivera prevents the takedown attempt.

Cerqueira has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Rivera uses from the top position.

Cerqueira is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Cerqueira working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Rivera has passed into half guard!
Cerqueira tries to roll over but Rivera keeps him under control.
Cerqueira is pressing down on Rivera's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Rivera decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Cerqueira, up you get!

Cerqueira fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Rivera sprawls well initially but Cerqueira persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Cerqueira seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Rivera has recovered full guard.

Rivera is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Cerqueira goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rivera prevents it.
Rivera stalling the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cerqueira can't get the takedown.
Cerqueira wants a takedown but no success here.
Rivera tries to throw a body punch but Cerqueira avoids it by throwing Rivera back against the cage.
Rivera is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Cerqueira is keeping busy.
Cerqueira drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rivera gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Cerqueira on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Cerqueira on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Cerqueira jumps guard but Rivera stands there with Cerqueira around his waist. Cerqueira gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Rivera breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Cerqueira scores a takedown into full mount!
Rivera is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Rivera is controlling an arm, preventing Cerqueira from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Rivera is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cerqueira goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Rivera is on top in guard.

Rivera stands up and waves to Cerqueira to follow him.
Rivera keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cerqueira shoots for a takedown but Rivera saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Cerqueira throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rivera's waist but Rivera gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cerqueira off to one side.
Cerqueira tries for a takedown but Rivera sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nice sprawl there from Rivera as Cerqueira shoots in.
Cerqueira avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cerqueira shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rivera as he avoids it easily.
Rivera throws a wild body kick that Cerqueira sees coming a mile off.
Cerqueira tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rivera swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carlos Cerqueira. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cerqueira changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rivera tries to avoid it but Cerqueira manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rivera to the ground. Rivera escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Jorge Rivera is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No luck for Cerqueira with that takedown attempt.

Cerqueira gets the takedown into side control.

Cerqueira working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Rivera is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Rivera throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

Cerqueira drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Cerqueira is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Rivera knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Cerqueira tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Cerqueira has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Cerqueira is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Rivera knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Cerqueira is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Rivera knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Cerqueira tries to advance to mount but Rivera denies him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

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

Cerqueira wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rivera, who protects the arm well.
Rivera is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rivera throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Rivera tries a head kick but it misses.

Cerqueira changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Rivera looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Cerqueira tries to advance to mount but Rivera denies him.

Cerqueira swings around for an armbar but Rivera sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Cerqueira's guard.

Cerqueira looking for a guillotine here but Rivera defends easily.
Rivera won't allow Cerqueira to sweep him here.

Cerqueira has his foot on Rivera's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rivera works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rivera stands up and waves to Cerqueira to follow him.
Nice sprawl there from Rivera as Cerqueira shoots in.
Cerqueira tries for a takedown but Rivera sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rivera lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

It looks like Carlos Cerqueira has been cut.
Rivera pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cerqueira shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rivera as he avoids it easily.
Cerqueira checks the leg kick nicely there.
Cerqueira blocks a head kick by Rivera.
Rivera tries to clinch up but Cerqueira circles away and keeps his distance.
Cerqueira looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rivera is fending him off so far but Cerqueira persists. Nope, Rivera circles away and we're back to standing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cerqueira shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rivera but Rivera pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rivera looks to land a combination but Cerqueira avoids it well.
Cerqueira looks for a takedown but Rivera sprawls well.
Cerqueira looks for a takedown but Rivera sprawls well.

Cerqueira scores a takedown into full mount!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rivera trying desperately to get to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Carlos Cerqueira will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Carlos Cerqueira's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Cerqueira looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rivera is fending him off so far but Cerqueira persists. Nope, Rivera circles away and we're back to standing.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Rivera in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Rivera misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rivera stuffs the takedown attempt from Cerqueira. Cerqueira gets slowly back to his feet.
Cerqueira has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carlos Cerqueira. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cerqueira checks the leg kick nicely there.

Cerqueira shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Cerqueira was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Cerqueira 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!

Cerqueira throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Rivera decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Rivera thows a body shot but no joy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cerqueira fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Cerqueira shoots in for a takedown but Rivera shows good takedown defense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cerqueira moves away.

Rivera clinches.
Cerqueira tries for a takedown but Rivera manages to get underhooks.

Rivera breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Horrible takedown by Cerqueira or perhaps it was just good defense by Rivera which made him look bad.
Cerqueira shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rivera pinned against the cage. Rivera gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Cerqueira misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
No luck for Cerqueira with that takedown attempt.
Cerqueira will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Cerqueira fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Horrible takedown by Cerqueira or perhaps it was just good defense by Rivera which made him look bad.
Jorge Rivera is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cerqueira shoots in and drives through. Rivera sprawls well.
Cerqueira looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Cerqueira shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rivera as he jumps to the side.
Cerqueira fails with the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rivera moves into the clinch.
Cerqueira blocks a body shot from Rivera.
Rivera is trying to break the clinch but Cerqueira has him pressed against the cage.
Rivera is stalling here.
Rivera has had enough of the clinch but Cerqueira keeps him there for the moment.
Cerqueira fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Rivera is pressed up against the cage. Cerqueira has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rivera down to the mat. Rivera avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rivera thows a body shot but no joy.
Cerqueira closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rivera circles away.

Cerqueira shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

Cerqueira jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Rivera is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Rivera and Cerqueira has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Rivera pushes Cerqueira away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Cerqueira gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Cerqueira working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Rivera is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Cerqueira has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cerqueira is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rivera has escaped the position, nice work there.
Carlos Cerqueira overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Cerqueira advances nicely into full mount.
Rivera is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Cerqueira is trying to take his opponent's back.

Rivera stands and steps away. Cerqueira gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Rivera swinging wilding here.
Cerqueira shoots in looking for a takedown. Rivera tries to sprawl out of it but Cerqueira keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rivera manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Cerqueira shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rivera but Rivera pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cerqueira shoots in for a double leg but Rivera sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cerqueira fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Cerqueira fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cerqueira fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Cerqueira changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rivera tries to avoid it but Cerqueira manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rivera to the ground. Rivera escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Cerqueira shoots for a double leg takedown but Rivera sprawls well. He's pushed Cerqueira's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Cerqueira fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rivera fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cerqueira tries for a takedown but Rivera sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Rivera darts in and clinches Cerqueira up against the cage.
Cerqueira drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rivera stalling the fight.
Cerqueira is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rivera gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Cerqueira tries to score a body lock takedown but Rivera shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Cerqueira has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rivera avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cerqueira tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rivera smiles and moves away.
Rivera throws a leg kick but Cerqueira sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Cerqueira looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rivera is fending him off so far but Cerqueira persists. Nope, Rivera circles away and we're back to standing.
Rivera misses the shot to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jorge Rivera comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rivera 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:29
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jorge Rivera!