PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between bj Ferguson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dallas Riley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Dallas Riley was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Ferguson
vs
Riley

164 cm
30
135 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

200 cm
20
155 lbs
11 - 10 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, bj Ferguson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Dallas Riley!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Cecil Peabody and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A left and a right from Riley both land. Nice combination.

Ferguson closes the distance and pushes Riley back into the cage.
Ferguson blocks a body shot from Riley.

Riley successfully pulls guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Ferguson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ferguson forces his way into half guard.
Ferguson is pressing down on Riley's thigh, looking to free his foot. Riley is holding on for now.
Riley has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ferguson is working away from the top position though.
Riley is looking to improve his position.
Ferguson trying to control the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Riley manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Riley working a defensive guard but Ferguson passes into half guard.
Riley is trying to maintain the position but Ferguson is very close to passing his half guard.
Ferguson controlling the action here.
Riley is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riley trying to control but Ferguson postures up.
Riley gets back to full guard.
Ferguson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Riley tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ferguson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Riley's guard.
Riley wants to control but Ferguson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Ferguson slips a nice elbow through Riley's hands, connecting with Riley's forehead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Riley defending well though.
Ferguson slows the pace down in half guard.
Ferguson stops Riley from getting back to his feet.
Ferguson is thwarting Riley's attempts to control the position.
Riley is looking to escape.
Ferguson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ferguson is pressing down on Riley's thigh, looking to free his foot. Riley is holding on for now.
Ferguson prevents Riley from improving his position.
Riley is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson tries to pass to full mount but Riley defends it.

Ferguson decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

Ferguson changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Riley looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Riley struggling a bit here.
Ferguson trying to control the action but Riley is working from the bottom.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ferguson working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that bj Ferguson will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Riley.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ferguson.
Riley tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ferguson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Riley shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ferguson misses with the combination.
Riley tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Ferguson gets a clinch.
Riley dodges an elbow strike from Ferguson.

Ferguson manages to break the clinch.
Riley throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ferguson.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Riley.
bj Ferguson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dallas Riley.

Ferguson closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ferguson decides to pull guard.
Ferguson is pulling down on Riley's head. It's preventing any offense from Riley, at least for the moment.
Riley missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Riley wants to pass the guard but Ferguson is keeping the position.
Riley has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Ferguson is proving hard to escape from.
Ferguson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Riley's guard.
Ferguson postures up in Riley's guard and throws a big left but Riley blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Riley looking for a guillotine here but Ferguson defends easily.

Ferguson stands up and waves to Riley to follow him.
Horrible takedown by Riley or perhaps it was just good defense by Ferguson which made him look bad.

Ferguson closes the distance and clinches.

Riley turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Riley manages to end up in side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Ferguson explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Ferguson here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Ferguson.
Riley manages to work his way to half guard, despite Ferguson's best efforts.
Riley moves into full guard.

Ferguson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Riley has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ferguson has managed to get both his arms back between Riley's legs - danger averted.
Ferguson wants to control from the top but Riley keeps moving.
Ferguson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Riley is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riley has momentary wrist control but Ferguson slips an elbow through the middle.
Ferguson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Riley is keeping the position for now.
Ferguson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Riley wants to stand up but Ferguson is controlling him.
Riley looking to control but Ferguson passes into half guard.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ferguson is thwarting Riley's attempts to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

bj Ferguson dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Riley fails to land the takedown.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Riley.
Riley looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Ferguson closes the distance and pushes Riley back into the cage.

Ferguson has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Riley clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Ferguson is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

Ferguson is looking for a rear naked choke here but Riley reverses the position brilliantly into Ferguson's guard!
bj Ferguson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ferguson wants to sweep here but Riley controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riley pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ferguson is keeping the position for now.
Ferguson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Ferguson tries to get out of the position.
Riley wants to control from the top but Ferguson keeps moving.
Riley is working Ferguson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Ferguson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Riley trying to stand up but can't free himself from Ferguson's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Ferguson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Riley doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Riley manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Ferguson is looking for a triangle but Riley pushes his legs off easily.
Riley wants to stand but Ferguson is controlling his posture from full guard.

Ferguson manages to escape and get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson throws a sloppy head kick and Riley moves out of range easily.
Riley tries to clinch but Ferguson is having none of it.
Ferguson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Riley scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Ferguson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Riley trying to control but Ferguson postures up.
The fighters are battling for position here. Riley manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson wants to control from the top but Riley keeps moving.
Riley not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Ferguson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Riley working for a triangle but Ferguson defends it easily.
Riley keeping moving, preventing Ferguson from controlling successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ferguson passes Riley's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Ferguson trying to control from Riley's half guard. Riley has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

bj Ferguson clearly takes that 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.

Riley throws a right and a left that Ferguson avoids nicely.
Riley tries to clinch but Ferguson is having none of it.

Ferguson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Ferguson lands in his opponent's guard.
Riley looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ferguson is one step ahead there.
Ferguson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ferguson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ferguson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson is looking to stand up but Riley won't let him.
Ferguson wants to control from the top but Riley keeps moving.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The ref stands the fighters back up because bj Ferguson just wasn't active enough.
Ferguson blocks a leg kick.
Riley shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ferguson defends it nicely.

Ferguson feints and as Riley raises his hands in defense, Ferguson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Riley throws his legs up looking for a submission but Ferguson uses it to pass to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson taking a breather here.
You can see the frustration on Riley's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Riley misses with an elbow from the bottom.

Ferguson decides to stand back up. Ferguson steps back and let's Riley get back to his feet.
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!

Riley throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Ferguson was covering up waiting for the punch and Riley finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Riley is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson wants to sweep but no luck.

Ferguson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ferguson wants to sweep but no luck.
Riley forces his way into half guard.
Riley passes to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Riley is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Ferguson is pressing down on Riley's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Riley trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Riley trying to control the position from guard on top but Ferguson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Riley wanted to stand there but Ferguson had control of the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Riley stopping the sweep attempt from Ferguson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

bj Ferguson had his way with Dallas Riley in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Riley looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Ferguson closes the distance and clinches.
Ferguson is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Ferguson has clasped his hands together around Riley's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Riley taking punishment in the form of punches.
Riley is looking to reverse the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson trying to control the position but Riley is working away.

Ferguson stands up.
Nice takedown defense from Ferguson. No joy for Riley on that attempt.
Dallas Riley seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ferguson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Riley as he avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ferguson closes the distance and clinches.

Ferguson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Riley throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Riley throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

Ferguson forces Riley back against the cage and clinches.
Ferguson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Riley pulls his leg out and moves away.

Riley looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ferguson lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Riley!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson avoids the attempt from Riley to control.
Riley regains half guard.

Riley looking for submissions off his back.
Riley avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ferguson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riley regains full guard. Nicely done.
Ferguson sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Ferguson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Ferguson seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Riley for as long as he can get away with.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Riley wants to stand but Ferguson is controlling the position.

bj Ferguson has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Riley.

And that's the end of the fight!
bj Ferguson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ferguson, 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 50:45
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 50:45
Judge George Francis scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... bj Ferguson!
bj Ferguson took some time post fight to say the following; 'This was a good fight. Can't wait for my next obstacle. (10-6)'.