PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Karevul Ikarus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bryden Rivers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ikarus comes to the cage accompanied by Flight of Icarus by Iron Maiden. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ikarus
vs
Rivers

193 cm
21
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
20
193 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Decent boxing
Determined

Pitt Nutrition (3x158 2x159 products)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Karevul Ikarus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bryden Rivers!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Daniel Cesar and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rivers tries to clinch but Ikarus moves out of range.

Rivers dives in and scores a takedown into Ikarus's guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Rivers is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Ikarus is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rivers wants to pass the guard but Ikarus is keeping the position.

Ikarus looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rivers preventing the sweep.
Rivers trying to control but Ikarus is working from the bottom.
Rivers wants to pass the guard but Ikarus is keeping the position.
Rivers is pushing down on Ikarus's leg trying to pass to half guard. Ikarus is fighting to maintain full guard but Rivers has managed to sneak the leg through.
Rivers looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Ikarus is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rivers pulls his head out easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rivers is looking to take a break and control but Ikarus is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rivers wants to free his trapped foot but Ikarus is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ikarus looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Rivers is looking for a kimura here.
Rivers trying to mount his opponent but Ikarus defends it.

Rivers is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Rivers prevents Ikarus from improving his position.
Rivers wants to control but Ikarus is keeping him busy.
Ikarus wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ikarus looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rivers is pressing down on Ikarus's thigh, looking to free his foot. Ikarus is holding on for now.
Ikarus is not content to let Rivers control the position.
Ikarus gets back to full guard.
Ikarus looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rivers is one step ahead there.

Rivers avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Ikarus had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rivers defends it easily.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ikarus working for submissions but it's allowed Rivers to get to half guard.
Rivers passes to full mount!

Rivers has hold of Ikarus's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Ikarus manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Ikarus is wriggling around trying to escape.
Ikarus sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Ikarus is refusing to be controlled, as Rivers sits in half guard.
Ikarus wants to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rivers content to control rather than advance.
Ikarus is trying to maintain the position but Rivers is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivers looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Rivers moves into full mount! Ikarus won't be happy about that!
Rivers takes Ikarus's back.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Rivers tightening his grip on Ikarus, looking for the choke.
Ikarus controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Rivers trying to control momentarily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rivers doesn't have the hooks in and Ikarus manages to turn into his guard.
Ikarus wants to stand and escape but instead Rivers has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Ikarus has his foot on Rivers's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rivers works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rivers throws a front kick aimed at Ikarus's knee but Ikarus avoids it well.
Ikarus lands a nice looking body shot.
Rivers takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Ikarus swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Ikarus gets tackled into the cage by Rivers. Rivers maintains the clinch.
Rivers keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ikarus's efforts to push away.
Ikarus wants to break free but Rivers has control.
Ikarus lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rivers has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ikarus is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Rivers decides to pull guard.
Rivers manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Rivers looking to control but Ikarus is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Ikarus is looking to get to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivers wants to take his opponent's back but Ikarus doesn't allow it.
Ikarus tries to lock up and control but Rivers gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Rivers trying to control but Ikarus is having none of it.
Ikarus wants to hold on but Rivers pushes him away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rivers content just to control the position here.
Ikarus sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Ikarus is staying active underneath Rivers, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivers trying to pass the guard but Ikarus defending well.
Ikarus is looking to control Rivers's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ikarus avoid being mounted?

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rivers walks into a straight right hand from Ikarus.
Rivers fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ikarus avoids it really well and circles away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ikarus dips to his left and cracks Rivers with an uppercut!
Rivers walks into a stiff left hand from Ikarus.
Rivers doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Ikarus counters with a stiff right hand.
Karevul Ikarus has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bryden Rivers.

Ikarus cracks Rivers with a big right hand and Rivers goes down!

Rivers is rocked!
Rivers looking for a sweep. Not yet Rivers, not yet.
Rivers is still in real trouble! Can Ikarus finish him?
Rivers has Ikarus pulled in close to control his posture.
Rivers seems to have recovered his senses.
Ikarus tries to free his leg and advance position but Rivers is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivers keeping moving, preventing Ikarus from controlling successfully.
Rivers looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ikarus is one step ahead there.
Bryden Rivers has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rivers pulls Ikarus in close to his closed guard and prevents Ikarus from doing any damage or advancing position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Rivers takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Rivers shoots in and bounces Ikarus off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Ikarus looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rivers is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Ikarus has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rivers can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Ikarus looking for a guillotine here but Rivers defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rivers looking to pass the guard.
Rivers wants to control from the top but Ikarus keeps moving.
Rivers advances to half guard.
Ikarus is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rivers trying to pass the guard but Ikarus defending well.
Ikarus is looking to escape.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Ikarus looking for submissions off his back.
Ikarus pushes Rivers off looking to stand but Rivers dives back in and keeps control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karevul Ikarus dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Rivers dives in and grabs Ikarus's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ikarus pushes down on Rivers's head and hops out.
Rivers shoots in looking for a takedown. Ikarus tries to sprawl out of it but Rivers keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ikarus manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A punch combination from Ikarus misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rivers looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bryden Rivers seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rivers shoots in for a takedown but Ikarus shows good takedown defense.
Karevul Ikarus has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bryden Rivers.
A jab from Ikarus finds it's way through Rivers's defenses.
Rivers doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Ikarus counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ikarus lands with a hook. Rivers tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Ikarus throws a shot from downtown. Rivers moves away and avoids it.
Ikarus is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Rivers avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ikarus lunges at Rivers with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Rivers's hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Rivers moves into the clinch successfully.
Ikarus has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ikarus manages to pull guard.
Ikarus keeping full guard, as Rivers tries to pass.

Ikarus is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rivers is stalling in the full guard.

Ikarus is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rivers is aware though and is defending well.

Ikarus has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Rivers 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 Ikarus.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ikarus sneaks back into half guard.
Rivers not doing much here.
Rivers wants to take a breather but Ikarus is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ikarus tries to roll over but Rivers keeps him under control.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Rivers in particular looking to stall.
Rivers seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ikarus does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Rivers prevents Ikarus from improving his position.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Bryden Rivers wasn't active enough on the ground.
Rivers uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ikarus.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ikarus avoids the head kick by Rivers.
Karevul Ikarus is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ikarus works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Ikarus is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Rivers looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ikarus is fending him off so far but Rivers persists. Nope, Ikarus circles away and we're back to standing.
Karevul Ikarus is winning the standup battle so far.
Ikarus lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Rivers tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ikarus sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rivers somewhat.
Ikarus connects with a single shot there.
Ikarus lands a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivers looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ikarus is fending him off so far but Rivers persists. Nope, Ikarus circles away and we're back to standing.
Ikarus stuffs the takedown attempt from Rivers. Rivers gets slowly back to his feet.

Rivers closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Ikarus's guard.
Rivers tries to free his leg and advance position but Ikarus is retaining full guard.
Ikarus manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rivers manages to get himself to full guard.
Ikarus trying to stand up but can't free himself from Rivers's guard.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ikarus is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Rivers is looking to control Ikarus's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Rivers avoid being mounted?
Rivers moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rivers keeping full guard, as Ikarus tries to pass.

Ikarus thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Ikarus won't allow Rivers to sweep him here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rivers keeping moving, preventing Ikarus from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Karevul Ikarus showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ikarus has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Karevul Ikarus!
Our winner, Karevul Ikarus, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.