PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Frankie Riiser (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bazar Problema (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bazar Problema is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Riiser
vs
Problema

174 cm
25
200 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

177 cm
26
215 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Reaper Combatwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Frankie Riiser!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Bazar Problema!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Tarja Halkonen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Problema closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Riiser's guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Problema is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Riiser looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Problema puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Problema trying to control from half guard but Riiser is working away.

Problema is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Riiser defends it well.
Riiser could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Riiser has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Problema is working away from the top position though.

Problema wants to work for an arm triangle but Riiser is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Riiser trying to hold on to Problema's head to control him but Problema postures up.

Riiser looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Problema wants to work for an arm triangle but Riiser is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Problema is looking for a kimura but Riiser is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Problema to get the leverage.
Problema is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Riiser!
Riiser flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Riiser wants to control but Problema is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Riiser is looking to get to half guard.

Problema is working for a guillotine from mount but Riiser frees his head quite easily.
Riiser wants to hold on but Problema pushes him away.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Problema takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.
Riiser is breathing heavily.
Riiser looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

Problema looking for the RNC.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Riiser preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Problema.

Problema working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Problema looking for the choke from the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Problema is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Riiser knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Riiser for a finish.

Problema looking for the choke but no joy.

Problema is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Riiser defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Riiser trying to control but not successfully.

Problema looking for the choke from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Problema doesn't have the hooks in and Riiser manages to turn into his guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Problema working for submissions but it's allowed Riiser to get to half guard.

Riiser is looking for a kimura but Problema is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Riiser to get the leverage.
Problema makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Problema.

Riiser drops back looking for a leg! Problema is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Problema manages to kick Riiser off! Riiser jumps back into Problema's guard.
Riiser's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Riiser preventing the sweep.

Problema looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Riiser passes into side control.
Problema regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bazar Problema dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Riiser closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Problema looking for submissions off his back.
Problema slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Problema is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Riiser is aware though and is defending well.

Problema has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Riiser is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Problema.

Riiser goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Problema has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Riiser but great work by Problema.
Riiser is trying to buck Problema off.

Problema is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Riiser has escaped the position, nice work there.
Riiser sneaks back into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riiser is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Problema is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Riiser is just riding it out for now. Problema eventually gives up the hold.
Riiser manages to get to full guard.
Problema postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Problema wants to pass the guard but Riiser is keeping the position.

Problema drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Problema jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Problema is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Riiser is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Riiser has escaped and now he's on top!

Problema is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Riiser drops back looking for a leg! Problema is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Problema manages to kick Riiser off! Riiser jumps back into Problema's guard.

Riiser drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Riiser jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Problema is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Problema looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Problema working for a triangle but Riiser defends it easily.
Riiser passes Problema's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Riiser is working for a submission of some sort.

Problema looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riiser is keen to just control but Problema is a slippery customer.

Problema looking for submissions off his back.
Riiser is trying to control the action in half guard but Problema is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Problema looking for submissions off his back.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Problema looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Riiser is looking for a kimura here.
Problema wants to improve his position but Riiser is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bazar Problema 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 hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Problema shoots in and gets a takedown into Riiser's guard.
Riiser trying to control the position.
Riiser keeping moving, preventing Problema from controlling successfully.
Problema pushing down on Riiser's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Riiser looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Problema is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Problema prevents Riiser from standing back up.

Problema is working for a submission of some sort.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Problema in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Riiser tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Problema!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:22 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Bazar Problema!