PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Cole River (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maester Ochu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think River might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Creedence Clearwater Revival - Born On The Bayou. Ochu has chosen Clutch - The Incomparable Mr. Flannery as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

River
vs
Ochu

188 cm
24
175 lbs
17 - 1 - 0

172 cm
24
195 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

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 17 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Cole River!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Maester Ochu!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Josh West and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
River moves out of range as Ochu strikes.
River looks to score with a jab to the body but Ochu is just out of range.
Ochu checks a leg kick nicely.
River stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ochu.
River with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
River connects with a leg kick. Ochu looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Ochu throws an ugly left hook that misses

and River holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Ochu tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Ochu breaks the clinch.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by River.
Ochu moves away from the strike by River.
River throws a leg kick
and Ochu counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Ochu throws a right hand that misses
and River counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A combination from Ochu does no damage.
River moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Ochu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ochu looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ochu misses with the body kick

and River counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by River.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River blocking some punches.
Ochu working aggressively here.
River is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ochu is keeping busy.
Ochu swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. River obliges.
Ochu avoids the elbow strike from River, against the cage.
River tries a body shot but Ochu blocks it.
A short body shot lands from Ochu as the two fighters clinch.
Ochu tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. River obliges.
Ochu throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Ochu fails to land.
River with an attempt at a knee that misses.
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!
River lands with a short head shot on the inside.
River wants to stall.
Ochu blocks a punch to the side of the head.
River holding his opponent close, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River lands a body shot in the clinch.
Ochu throws a punch but it's blocked by River.
Ochu throws a head punch that misses.
River keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ochu's efforts to push away.
Ochu slowing the pace effectively.
Knees to the body from River.
Ochu blocks the elbow strike.
River tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ochu takes a knee to the side of the body.
River digs a right hand into Ochu's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ochu's gas tank.
River lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like Maester Ochu has been cut.
Ochu is looking to break free of the clinch but River has double underhooks.

River manages to break the clinch.
River moves away from the strike by Ochu.
River misses with a lunging right hand
and Ochu cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
River tries to clinch but Ochu moves out of range.
Ochu blocks a low kick nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Ochu is out of range.
Ochu throws a lazy uppercut
and River counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Ochu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ochu slips under a jab from River.
River moves in looking to clinch but Ochu pushes him off.
River lands with a nice body kick.
Ochu scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Ochu is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by River.
River throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
River gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from River, right into the meat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ochu misses with a double jab.
River throws a sloppy head kick and Ochu moves out of range easily.

River gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ochu is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
River will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Ochu up against the cage.
River throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
River lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ochu backwards.
Ochu fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ochu doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ochu lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ochu displaying some good clinch control by pressing River up against the cage.
Ochu prevents a body shot from River.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Ochu as River tries to tie him up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
River working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ochu.
Ochu throws a punch but it's blocked by River.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Ochu as River tries to tie him up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cole River dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Maester Ochu's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ochu throws a body punch but River moves out of range.
River throws a right and a left that Ochu avoids nicely.
Ochu comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
River moves out of range as Ochu strikes.
River takes a body punch but keeps moving.
River throws a hook but Ochu blocks it.

River closes the distance and clinches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, River creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ochu takes a knee right on the jaw!
River misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ochu avoids a wild elbow strike from River.
River is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ochu is defending well for now.
River blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ochu working aggressively here.
River is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ochu is defending well for now.
Ochu prevents a body shot from River.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice elbow from River.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
River misses with a short punch on the inside.
River tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ochu's elbow.
A left hand lands to the body for River.
River blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
River throws an elbow but it misses.
River connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ochu's face.
A head punch on the inside from Ochu fails to land.
Ochu doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ochu scores with a shot to the side of River's head.
Knees in the clinch landing for River.
Ochu doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
River throws an elbow but it's blocked.
River is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Ochu lands a nice shot to the body.
Ochu misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ochu misses with some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
River connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ochu's face.
River tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ochu avoids it.
Ochu doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
River makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Ochu.
Ochu prevents a body shot from River.
River is trying to break the clinch but Ochu has him pressed against the cage.

Ochu breaks the clinch.
River throws a quick inside leg kick.
Ochu is looking to land body kicks.
Ochu takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Ochu throws a combination but it was largely blocked by River.
Ochu swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by River.
River feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ochu's calf.
River lands a right hook to the body.
River misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River avoids the head kick by Ochu.
Ochu throws a head kick but River moves out of range.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting River here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
River connects with a single shot there.
River throws an overhand right that lands on Ochu's shoulder, as Ochu tries to avoid the shot.
Ochu stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from River.
A low kick from River is predictable there
and Ochu counters with a series of strikes. River will be more careful next time no doubt.
Ochu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
River throws a quick inside leg kick.
Ochu misses with a two punch combination.
Ochu is breathing heavily.
Ochu misses with a two punch combination.
River takes a swing at Ochu's ribcage but misses.
Ochu tries to land a body kick
and River counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ochu thinking.
River wants to clinch.
Ochu circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
River blocks the body kick.
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!
River misses with a hook. Ochu ducked under it nicely.
River tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ochu swats him away and circles back towards the center.
River doesn't manage to clinch there - Ochu circles away.
River cracks Ochu with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
River uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ochu.
River misses with an uppercut.
No joy there for River, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ochu throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ochu throws a lazy uppercut
and River counters with a nice uppercut.
River throws a hook but Ochu avoids it easily.
River tries a head kick but it misses.
River misses with a series of wild punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cole River dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Maester Ochu's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Ochu checks a leg kick.
Ochu scores with a head kick. River tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
River waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ochu.
River ducks under a wild hook from Ochu.
River buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ochu takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Ochu steps to the side to avoid the strikes from River.
Cole River is winning the standup battle so far.
River misses with a body kick.
Ochu steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from River. That one must have hurt.
River lands a head kick!
River throws a quick inside leg kick.
River tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ochu manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
River looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Ochu blocks the leg kick.
Ochu throws a head kick but River moves out of range.
River blocks a head kick by Ochu.
River blocks the body kick.
River ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
River connects with the punch.
A thudding body kick lands there by River!
Ochu takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
River misses with a body kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ochu. River does a little dance to reset his feet.
River tries to land a front kick but Ochu steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Ochu tries to land a front kick but River steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
River takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ochu has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from River.
A telegraphed right hand from Ochu misses the target.
River scores with a jab to the body.
Ochu fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Maester Ochu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ochu swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
River closes the distance and lands a one-two.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
River moves out of range of the strikes.
River cracks Ochu with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
River tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ochu lands with a thumping leg kick.
River tries to clinch up
and River takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
River lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ochu's sensitive parts.
River scores with a nice head shot.
River throws the kick towards the body but Ochu avoids it.
Ochu swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ochu waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract River.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

River gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ochu lands on the inside with an uppercut.
River using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ochu has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
River lands with a light punch inside.

River breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
River looking to land some kicks to the body here.
River has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Ochu.
Ochu misses with an uppercut
and River counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
River is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Ochu avoids a punch combination nicely.
River lands a nice shot to the body.
River takes a swing at Ochu's ribcage but misses.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from River lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Ochu has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Ochu and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
River moves forwards but Ochu connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Ochu takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Cole River is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ochu throws a right hand that misses
and River makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Ochu throws a big shot that misses.
Ochu keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
River moves out of range as Ochu strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ochu doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

River pushes Ochu up against the cage in a clinch.
Ochu's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Ochu's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ochu throws a body kick that misses.
River lands a nice shot to the body.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from River.
Ochu swings for the body but River moves out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
River scores with a hook to the body. Ochu takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

River closes the distance and clinches.
River misses with an elbow over the top.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cole River showed his dominance in that final round.
Well River has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 30:27
Judge Josh West scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cole River!
Cole River very nearly forgot to thank Conviction amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.