PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kiril Demidov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Rio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kiril Demidov has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Demidov
vs
Rio

180 cm
18
270 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

189 cm
22
235 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes ground

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kiril Demidov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Matt Rio!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Bruno Lombardi and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rio clinches up with Demidov and pushes him back against the cage.
Rio is trying to maintain a safe position but Demidov gets an underhook and turns Rio into the cage.

Rio successfully pulls guard.
Demidov stopping the sweep attempt from Rio.

Rio escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Demidov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Demidov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Demidov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Demidov wants to control from the top but Rio keeps moving.
Demidov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rio on the ground.

Rio had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Demidov is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Rio Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Demidov's back instead.
Rio is trying to control but Demidov is trying to escape here - he's now mounted.
Demidov working to try and regain half guard.
Rio is trying to take his opponent's back.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Demidov defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Rio.

Rio has control of Demidov's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Demidov regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Demidov is looking to improve his position but Rio isn't that keen on the idea.
Rio unloads with some shots from mount but Demidov bucks and avoids them well.
Demidov is trying to escape the mount.
Demidov has given up his back here.

Rio looking for the choke from the back.

Rio has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Rio looks gassed!
Demidov controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Demidov's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Demidov trying to control the action but Rio just sinks the hooks in.

Rio patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Demidov looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Demidov looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

Rio is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Demidov controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad spot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rio looking for the choke from the back.
Demidov wants to escape the position.

Demidov preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Rio.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
You can see the frustration on Demidov's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Demidov defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Rio's arms.
Will Rio go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Demidov wants to escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rio avoiding Demidov 's attempts to control his hands.
Demidov is trying to break free.

Rio is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Demidov defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Demidov preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Rio.
Demidov tries to roll but Rio sticks to his back.

Rio patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rio tries to get the hooks in deep but Demidov pushed the leg off.

Rio is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Demidov is defending well though. Rio let's go of the attempt for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rio shoots in but Demidov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rio shoots in for a double leg but Demidov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Rio. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Rio tries for a takedown but Demidov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kiril Demidov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matt Rio.

Demidov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Demidov showed some decent athleticism there.
Demidov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Demidov working Rio over with strikes.
Rio is pressing down on Demidov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Matt Rio has got the better of the ground game so far.

Rio working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Demidov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Demidov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Demidov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rio is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rio striking off his back but it's not causing Demidov any problems.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Demidov preventing the sweep.
Rio lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Demidov!
Demidov avoids a series of strikes thrown by Rio.
Poor strikes thrown by Rio there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Demidov is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Rio is looking to stand but Rio has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Demidov is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Rio looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rio is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Demidov is surviving well by controlling Rio's body position as best he can.
Demidov is desperately trying to improve his position but Rio has a good base and remains in mount.

Rio stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Rio with a poor takedown

and Demidov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Demidov trying to stand up but can't free himself from Rio's guard.
Rio is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Rio is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Rio is thwarting Demidov's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rio looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Rio wants to free his trapped foot but Demidov is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Demidov keeping hold of Rio's head, controlling as best he can.

That's four 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.

Rio is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Rio is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Demidov defends it well.

Rio is working for a kimura but Demidov is defending it quite comfortably.
Demidov tries to get to full guard but Rio has control of the leg.
Rio passes to side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Matt Rio will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Rio tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Demidov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rio tries to clinch up but Demidov circles away and keeps his distance.
Rio doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Demidov counters with a stiff right hand.

Demidov shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Rio's guard.

Rio has his feet on Demidov's thighs here. He's pushed Demidov off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Demidov screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:42 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Matt Rio!