PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jose Luis Montoya Rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Julius Peppers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Montoya Rivera comes to the cage accompanied by Overkill. The crowd seem to be enjoying Peppers's choice of entrance music: Day N Nite-Kid Cudi. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Luis Montoya Rivera
vs
Peppers

170 cm
33
156 lbs
29 - 19 - 1

174 cm
33
155 lbs
23 - 16 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Firebird Designs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jose Luis Montoya Rivera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 16 - 2, fighting out of New York, Julius Peppers!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Jorge Garcia and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Peppers throws a low kick but Montoya Rivera moves out of range easily.
Peppers lands a nice hook to Montoya Rivera's body. Montoya Rivera takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Peppers lands a head shot.
Montoya Rivera scores with the left hand. Peppers knows he should have avoided that one.
Peppers misses with a wild body shot.
Peppers wants to slow Montoya Rivera down by chopping away at his legs.
Montoya Rivera slips under a jab.
Peppers throws a leg kick but Montoya Rivera sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Montoya Rivera moves away from the strike by Peppers.
Montoya Rivera misses with a looping left.
Peppers swings for the body but Montoya Rivera moves out of range.
Nice straight punches there by Peppers. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Peppers.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Peppers ducks right into an uppercut from Montoya Rivera.
Montoya Rivera takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Peppers is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Montoya Rivera.
Montoya Rivera has a takedown stuffed.
Peppers looks to score with a jab to the body but Montoya Rivera is just out of range.
Montoya Rivera with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Peppers lands with an uppercut that bounces Montoya Rivera off the cage and back into range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Peppers. Montoya Rivera does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donk. Peppers catches Montoya Rivera right on the button with a cross.
Montoya Rivera works Peppers's body with a nice hook.
Peppers looks to score with a jab to the body but Montoya Rivera is just out of range.
Peppers just misses with a punch to the body.
Peppers lands with a thumping leg kick.
Peppers throws a sloppy body shot
and Montoya Rivera counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Montoya Rivera moves into the clinch.
Montoya Rivera tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Montoya Rivera misses with a hook to the ribs.
Montoya Rivera is trying to stall.
Montoya Rivera tries to pull guard but Peppers holds him up against the cage and eventually Montoya Rivera drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jose Luis Montoya Rivera. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Montoya Rivera lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Peppers tries to pull guard but Montoya Rivera won't allow it.
Peppers is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Peppers breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Montoya Rivera bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Montoya Rivera uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Peppers.
Peppers throws a jab but it's blocked by Montoya Rivera.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Montoya Rivera.
Peppers checks a low kick from Montoya Rivera.
Montoya Rivera is looking to slow Peppers down with leg kicks.
Peppers throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Some bone on bone action there as Montoya Rivera checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Peppers takes one to the chin there.
Peppers looks to land a left hand but Montoya Rivera moved out of range nicely.
Peppers thows a body shot but no joy.
A big left from Peppers misses.
Nice uppercut there from Peppers.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Peppers.
The fighters circling - Montoya Rivera throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Peppers lands a nice shot to the body.
Peppers just misses with a punch to the body.
Julius Peppers is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Peppers throws a hook to the side of Montoya Rivera's head but Montoya Rivera sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Peppers tries a low kick but Montoya Rivera avoids it.
Montoya Rivera closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Montoya Rivera throws a head kick that Peppers semi-blocks.
Peppers throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Montoya Rivera looking to score a takedown here. Peppers is defending well but Montoya Rivera drives through and ends up in Peppers's guard.
Montoya Rivera wants to control from the top but Peppers keeps moving.
Peppers 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.
Montoya Rivera looking to pass the guard.
Montoya Rivera advances to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Peppers tries to get to full guard but Montoya Rivera has control of the leg.
Montoya Rivera seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Peppers does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Peppers makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Peppers.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Montoya Rivera trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Montoya Rivera trying to control but Peppers is working from the bottom.
Peppers looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Montoya Rivera slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Peppers is trying to get back to half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Montoya Rivera cracks Peppers with a big right hand but Peppers just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Peppers tries to buck Montoya Rivera off but Montoya Rivera is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julius Peppers dominated that round.
That's time! Montoya Rivera's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Peppers looks to land a right hand but Montoya Rivera moved out of range.
Peppers throws a low kick but Montoya Rivera avoids it.
Montoya Rivera missing with a left hand there. Peppers was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Montoya Rivera moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Peppers thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nice defenses there by Montoya Rivera.
Peppers looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Peppers lands a jab to Montoya Rivera's midsection.
Montoya Rivera looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Julius Peppers seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Montoya Rivera looks to land a body kick but Peppers moved away.
Peppers throws a lazy uppercut
and Montoya Rivera counters with a straight right hand.
Montoya Rivera moves out of range of the strikes.
Peppers throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Peppers throws a nice inside leg kick.
Good work by Peppers as he checks the leg kick.
Montoya Rivera uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Peppers.
Julius Peppers seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Peppers on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Peppers looks to land a left hand but Montoya Rivera moved out of range nicely.
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!
Montoya Rivera lands a leg kick that knocks Peppers off balance momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Montoya Rivera shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Peppers is trying to defend but Montoya Rivera finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Peppers has one foot on Montoya Rivera's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Peppers looks to land a right hand but Montoya Rivera moved out of range.
Peppers bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Peppers swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Montoya Rivera is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Peppers.
A looping hook to the body misses from Peppers. Montoya Rivera does a little dance to reset his feet.
Peppers misses with a looping right.
Montoya Rivera looks for a takedown but Peppers sprawls well.
Montoya Rivera delivers a nice body kick.
Peppers throws a hook but Montoya Rivera avoids it easily.
Peppers throws a lazy right hand but Montoya Rivera sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Montoya Rivera cracks Peppers with an open hand slap.
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!
Montoya Rivera slips under a jab from Peppers.
Peppers throws a wild body kick that Montoya Rivera sees coming a mile off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Peppers misses with a body shot.
A leg kick checked by Montoya Rivera.

Montoya Rivera shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Peppers napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Peppers tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Montoya Rivera swings around for an armbar but Peppers sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Montoya Rivera's guard.
Peppers wants to control from the top but Montoya Rivera keeps moving.

Montoya Rivera looking for a guillotine here but Peppers defends easily.
Peppers looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Montoya Rivera looking to hit a scissor sweep but Peppers is one step ahead there.

Montoya Rivera looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Peppers missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Montoya Rivera trying to control the position.
Peppers has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Montoya Rivera is proving hard to escape from.
Peppers pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Montoya Rivera is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Montoya Rivera trying to keep a closed guard but Peppers is proving a slippery customer.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Montoya Rivera is on top in guard.
Montoya Rivera wants to control from the top but Peppers keeps moving.
Jose Luis Montoya Rivera overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Montoya Rivera preventing the sweep.

Montoya Rivera got a little sloppy there for a moment and Peppers has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Montoya Rivera has managed to get both his arms back between Peppers's legs - danger averted.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Peppers 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.
Montoya Rivera stands and throws Peppers's legs to the side, diving into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Julius Peppers will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Montoya Rivera throws a jab when Peppers was well out of range.
Montoya Rivera blocks a jab.
Montoya Rivera takes one to the side of the head.

Montoya Rivera closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Peppers's guard.
Montoya Rivera wants to control from the top but Peppers keeps moving.
Montoya Rivera content to stall in guard here.
Montoya Rivera stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Peppers swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Peppers manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Montoya Rivera manages to get himself to full guard.
Montoya Rivera preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Peppers trying to control but Montoya Rivera is working from the bottom.

Montoya Rivera looking for a guillotine here but Peppers defends easily.
Peppers is looking to stand up but Montoya Rivera won't let him.
Peppers passes into half guard.
Peppers wants to control but Montoya Rivera is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Peppers is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Montoya Rivera trying to control but Peppers postures up.
Peppers perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Peppers wants to control but Montoya Rivera is keeping him busy.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Julius Peppers hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
An inside leg kick from Peppers misses.
Peppers scores with a leg kick.
Montoya Rivera bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Montoya Rivera moves out of range as Peppers throws a body kick.
Peppers jabs Montoya Rivera to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Montoya Rivera staying out of range there.
Montoya Rivera takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Peppers connects with a body shot.
Peppers tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jose Luis Montoya Rivera has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Peppers takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Montoya Rivera looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Peppers lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Montoya Rivera lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Montoya Rivera chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Peppers swings for the body but Montoya Rivera moves out of range.
Montoya Rivera finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Peppers darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Peppers misses the shot to the body.
Peppers scores with a jab.
Montoya Rivera shoots for a takedown but Peppers saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Peppers misses with a kick to the body.
Montoya Rivera throws a good cross that connects.
Peppers lands a nice hook to Montoya Rivera's body. Montoya Rivera takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Peppers takes one to the side of the head.
Peppers moves out of range of the body kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Montoya Rivera, right into the meat.
Julius Peppers is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Montoya Rivera takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Peppers ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Montoya Rivera moves away.
Peppers with a jab.
Peppers misses with an uppercut.
Peppers blocks a jab.
Montoya Rivera motions for Peppers to come forward. Montoya Rivera throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Peppers throws a leg kick that misses.
Peppers connects with a leg kick. Montoya Rivera looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Peppers lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Montoya Rivera swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Montoya Rivera lands with a straight right. Peppers didn't see that one coming.

Montoya Rivera gets a clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Montoya Rivera doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Montoya Rivera misses with a body punch.
Montoya Rivera throws a punch but it's blocked by Peppers.
Peppers blocks a punch to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Julius Peppers.
I've got Peppers 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Julius Peppers!
After the big win, Julius Peppers made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Firebird Designs and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.