PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dru Rivers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Ass (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.

Rivers
vs
Ass

188 cm
31
195 lbs
18 - 5 - 0

180 cm
28
196 lbs
16 - 7 - 1

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 18 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dru Rivers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Jack Ass!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ass throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ass takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Ass closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Ass creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Rivers sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Ass tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Ass tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Ass has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ass wants to take a breather but Rivers manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Ass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ass trying to control but Rivers is working from the bottom.
Ass is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Ass trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rivers preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ass throws an elbow that misses. Rivers uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ass's guard. Nice move by Rivers!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ass is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ass is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Rivers tries to free his leg and advance position but Ass is retaining full guard.
Ass looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rivers is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivers wants to stand but Ass has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jack Ass was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Ass fails to land the takedown.
Ass just misses with a punch to the body.
Rivers keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rivers goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Ass instigates a clinch.
Ass lands with a left to the head.
Ass lands with a light punch inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ass tries to work over Rivers's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rivers tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ass's elbow.
Rivers tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ass's elbow.

Ass breaks the clinch.
Rivers throws a wild body kick that Ass sees coming a mile off.

Ass looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Rivers!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ass sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Rivers holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Ass tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Rivers avoids a series of strikes thrown by Ass.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ass lands a heavy elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Ass dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rivers throws an off balance right hand

and Ass counters with a takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The ground and pound from Ass seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Ass wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rivers keeps working.
The ground and pound from Ass seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Rivers is not content to let Ass control the position.

Ass is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rivers has escaped the position, nice work there.

Ass tries for a kimura but Rivers is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivers gets back to half guard.
Ass not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rivers is staying active underneath Ass, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Ass thows a huge punch but Rivers dodges it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rivers is defending against the submission attempts here by Ass.
Rivers is refusing to be controlled, as Ass sits in half guard.
Ass thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ass thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ass trying to control the action but Rivers is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ass stalling away here and it's allowed Rivers to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Ass throws an elbow that misses. Rivers uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ass's guard. Nice move by Rivers!
Ass is adopting a defensive guard.
Rivers is looking to stand up but Ass won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ass is pulling down on Rivers's head. It's preventing any offense from Rivers, at least for the moment.
Rivers preventing the sweep.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Jack Ass.
Ass throws a hook but Rivers avoids it easily.
Ass on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Ass throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rivers on the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A jab from Ass finds it's way through Rivers's defenses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Ass showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Ass moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Ass thuds a left hand into Rivers's body.
Ass scores with a jab. Rivers acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Ass feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Ass trying to control but Rivers is working from the bottom.
Ass looking to sit in guard and control but Rivers gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Rivers stopping the sweep attempt from Ass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ass is trying to keep Rivers in close.
Ass looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rivers is one step ahead there.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Ass is pulling down on Rivers's head. It's preventing any offense from Rivers, at least for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Jack Ass hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Ass works the jab nicely.
Nice sprawl there from Rivers as Ass shoots in.
Ass fails to land the takedown.
Rivers slips a jab from Ass.
Rivers has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Rivers there as he acknowledges the shot.
Ass checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

Ass moves into the clinch successfully.
Ass blocking some punches.
Rivers goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rivers struggles to land a body shot inside as Ass controls his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ass tries to work over Rivers's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ass scores with a shoulder strike.
Rivers fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rivers tries to work over Ass's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ass holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Rivers lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ass backwards.
Ass prevents a body shot from Rivers.
Rivers misses with the head strike.
Ass blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ass changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rivers fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Dru Rivers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Ass.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Ass.
Ass shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rivers but Rivers pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ass lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rivers circles away quickly and effectively.
Jack Ass is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Jack Ass is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivers defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ass.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ass.
Jack Ass seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rivers wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Ass drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Ass takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rivers isn't going anywhere.
Ass working the ground and pound but Rivers is defending the strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rivers struggling a bit here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Ass comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ass winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Ass!