PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafal Dabrowski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dabrowski has chosen TWO STEPS FROM HELL - Protectors of the Earth as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rivera
vs
Dabrowski

188 cm
23
235 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

199 cm
27
244 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

Polskie Odżywki/ Polish Nutrition [PL]

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Antonio Rivera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rafal Dabrowski!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Konstantin Menshow and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rivera connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Dabrowski momentarily.
Rivera throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Dabrowski's waist but Dabrowski gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rivera off to one side.
A combination from Rivera does no damage.

Rivera is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Dabrowski's half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Rivera is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Rivera stops Dabrowski from getting back to his feet.
Rivera is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Dabrowski wants to get back to his feet.

Rivera is looking for a kimura here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dabrowski is trying to stand up here but Rivera is controlling him well.
Rivera missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Rivera wants to take a breather but Dabrowski is having none of it.

Rivera is working for an americana but Dabrowski has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Rivera was thinking about the submission.
Rivera pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Dabrowski is keeping the position for now.
Dabrowski working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rivera.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivera wants to control from the top but Dabrowski keeps moving.
Rivera stays in close to Dabrowski's body and controls the position.
Rivera throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rivera throwing strikes from guard but Dabrowski blocks nicely.
Rivera passes into half guard.
Rivera is trying to control. Dabrowski wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivera not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Rivera has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Rivera throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rivera throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Rivera is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Rivera trying to control from Dabrowski's half guard. Dabrowski has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Rivera throws an elbow that misses. Dabrowski uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rivera's guard. Nice move by Dabrowski!

Rivera is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Dabrowski is aware though and is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rivera throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Rivera working for submissions but it's allowed Dabrowski to get to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dabrowski wants to stand but Rivera has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Rivera keeps control of the position for the meantime.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Rivera looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Rivera dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Rivera keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rivera blocks a jab.
Dabrowski throws a jab but it's blocked by Rivera.

Rivera drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Rivera wants to control from the top but Dabrowski keeps moving.
Rivera slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Rivera slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Rivera thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Rivera creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Dabrowski sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dabrowski is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Rivera asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Dabrowski dodges the ground and pound from Rivera.

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

Rivera goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Dabrowski rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Rivera's guard! Nice work there by Dabrowski!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rivera escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Dabrowski gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Rivera is looking for a triangle but Dabrowski pushes his legs off easily.
Dabrowski has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Rivera is proving hard to escape from.

Rivera is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Dabrowski defends well.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Rivera throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rivera might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Dabrowski tries to stand but Rivera is controlling from the bottom.

Rivera looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Dabrowski is defending well. Rivera quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Dabrowski has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Rivera celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Antonio Rivera!
Antonio Rivera seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.