PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tyler Richards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cole River (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). River has chosen Creedence Clearwater Revival - Born On The Bayou as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Richards
vs
River

179 cm
27
188 lbs
22 - 5 - 0

188 cm
25
175 lbs
20 - 1 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hellbent
Perkele!

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear
Sex Panther Supplements!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tyler Richards!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Cole River!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Anthony Taglia and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Richards moves out of range of the leg kick from River.
River lands with a thumping leg kick.
River chopping away at his opponent's legs.
River connects with a solid leg kick.
River connects with a jab.
River misses with a few strikes there.
Richards thuds a left hand into River's body.
River lands a slapping body shot.
River fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Richards has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Nice body punch from River.
Richards misses with a hook
and River makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Richards connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed River momentarily.
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!

Richards takes the fight into the clinch.
Richards goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
River lands a shot to the body.
River tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River misses with an elbow over the top.
River lands an elbow that stopped Richards in his tracks for a moment.

Richards wants the takedown. River is fighting it off but Richards persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in River's guard against the cage.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
River looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
River keeping moving, preventing Richards from controlling successfully.
Richards looking to pass the guard.
River manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Richards tries to hold on but River postures up.
Richards slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, River seems content to control.
River is looking to advance position but Richards won't allow it.
River takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Richards is not content to let River control the position.
River content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Cole River was stalling too much, according to the referee.
River misses with a body kick.
River turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
River connects with a leg kick. Richards looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
River gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Richards counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Richards.
Richards stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. River swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Richards trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but River manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River trying to control the position from guard on top but Richards is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
River really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Richards. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Richards not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
River is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Cole River wasn't active enough on the ground.
Richards avoids the head kick by River.
Richards lands with a hook. River tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Richards fakes high and swings low for a body shot but River manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Richards fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A chopping leg kick lands by River.

River moves into range and clinches up with Richards.
River stalling in the clinch but Richards improves position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
River blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
River utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Richards avoiding damage as River throws knees to the body.
River working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
River creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Richards working aggressively here.
River unloads a knee to the mid-section.
River pushes off an throws an elbow but Richards leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cole River dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by River.
Richards swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Richards is looking to clinch but River is avoiding it.
River tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Richards misses with a hook.
River fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Richards is out of range.
Cole River seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A looping hook to the body misses from River. Richards does a little dance to reset his feet.
River throws a head kick that misses.
That kick from River tenderised Richards's leg. Richards is trying to keep his angry face on.
River throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
River connects with an inside leg kick.
Richards scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
River misses with a body kick.
Richards tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. River manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Richards is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Richards waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract River.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by River. That's going to slow Richards down.
Richards thows a left - swing and a miss!
River throws a head kick but Richards moves out of range.
River connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Richards throws a low kick, looking for River's leg but River calmly moves out of range.
Richards throws a hook but River blocks it.
Richards takes a shot to the body in his stride.
River cracks Richards with a right hand to the side of the head.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for River. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Richards misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from River.
River bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
River circles away from the clinch attempt.

River tries to keep at a distance but Richards has taken the fight into the clinch.
Richards tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River misses with a body punch.
Richards managing to block the knees to the body from River.
With the fighters up against the cage, River throws an elbow but misses.
River is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
River prevents the takedown attempt.
River crunches a lovely knee into Richards's ribcage.
Richards has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by River after a bit of a struggle.
Richards misses with a punch to the body.
A short right from Richards on the inside.
Richards is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Richards misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short right from River.
Richards makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Cole River seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards misses with a hook from the clinch.
Richards looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tyler Richards. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head punch blocked on the inside by River.
River is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
River lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
River stops a takedown attempt from Richards.
River lands an elbow inside that Richards shrugs off.
River unloads a knee to the mid-section. Richards lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
River tries a knee to the head but Richards blocks it.
A nice glancing elbow lands by River.

It looks like Tyler Richards has been cut.
River lands a good knee to the midsection. Richards won't want to take too many of those.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
River scores a nice knee to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
River trying to control the position but instead, Richards has worked for underhooks and has pushed River into the cage.
River struggles to land a body shot inside as Richards controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River leaning his opponent against the cage.
River blocks an uppercut.
Richards prevents a body shot from River.
Richards blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
River is looking to control Richards's arms but Richards gets an underhook and turns him. Now River has his back to the cage.
Richards goes for a takedown attempt but River pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Richards 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!
Richards misses with a right hand
and River makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Richards really felt that one!
River throws a push kick but Richards slaps the foot to one side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cole River showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tyler Richards's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

River throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Richards tries to score with a low kick but River moves his leg out of the way.
River scores with a hook.
River wants to slow Richards down by chopping away at his legs.
Richards lands with a cross.
Richards keeps the fight on the outside.
Richards scores with a one two! River had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
River throws a right hand that Richards ducks under and follows up with a left that Richards also avoids with ease.
Richards lands with a cross.
Richards throws an overhand right that lands on River's shoulder, as River tries to avoid the shot.
Richards misses with a hook. River ducked under it nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Richards dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
River lunges at Richards with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Richards's hand.
Richards throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richards misses with a hook
and River counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Richards swings and misses with a hook to the body.
River scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
River throws a head kick that Richards semi-blocks.
Cole River seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A nice combination there by Richards.
River drops his hands momentarily and Richards takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
River is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
River moves away from the strike by Richards.
Richards takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Richards throws a shot from downtown. River moves away and avoids it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
River throws a nice outside leg kick.
Cole River is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Richards misses with a body kick.
Richards lands with a nice body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richards dodges the punch combination from River.
River lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Richards at a distance.
Richards swings for the body but River moves out of range.
Richards blocks a low kick nicely.
River fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Richards.
Richards throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Richards shoots in for a double leg but River sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from River - that will leave a mark!
River fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Some bone on bone action there as River checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Richards moves out of range as River throws a body kick.
A bone on bone clash there as River blocks the leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by River.
River fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Richards shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
River trying to control but Richards postures up.
Richards thows a huge punch but River dodges it nicely.
Ground and pound from Richards.
River keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
River trying to control but Richards postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Richards throwing shots but River is blocking nicely.
River manages to get to full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Richards postures up.
Tyler Richards overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
River wants to sweep here but Richards controlling him for the moment.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Richards postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
River trying to keep a closed guard but Richards is proving a slippery customer.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Cole River hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
River thuds his shin into the meat of Richards's side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Tyler Richards did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Tyler Richards's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Richards lands with an overhand left.
River moves out of range as Richards throws a body kick.
River tries to close the distance and clinch up but Richards swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A telegraphed right hand from Richards misses the target.
River fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Richards.
Richards swats away the attempt to clinch by River.
Richards scores with a decent looking hook.
A good leg kick by River.
River wants to clinch up but Richards keeps it at a distance.
A decent looking body kick lands there for River.
A slapping body kick lands there for River.

River fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Richards, pushing him back against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
River is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Richards is defending well for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River lands a nice shot to the body.
Richards on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Richards wants to stall.
River landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
River lands an elbow inside.
Richards swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short right from River on the inside.
River scores with a nice hook to the head.
Richards managing to block the knees to the body from River.
Richards lands a body punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
River lands a nice elbow.
Richards lands a hook that snaps the head of River backwards.
River tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Richards's elbow.
Richards will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Richards is working for takedown but River is calmly controlling the position for now.
Richards throws an elbow but it's blocked.
River lands a good knee to the midsection. Richards won't want to take too many of those.
River prevents a takedown attempt there.
River blocks a body shot from Richards.
Richards misses with a shot to the kidneys.
River blocking some punches.
River scores with a shot to the side of Richards's head.
Richards wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tyler Richards. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Richards tries to throw a body punch but River avoids it by throwing Richards back against the cage.
River presses Richards against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
River lands a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River blocks a punch to the side of the head.
River landing knees to the head.
River tries a knee to the head but Richards blocks it.
River blocks a punch to the side of the head.
River is trying to push Richards away but Richards has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Richards as River tries to tie him up.
River stops a takedown attempt from Richards.
River misses with an elbow over the top.
River comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
River looking to throw knees to the head but Richards is blocking nicely.
River is trying to force a seperation but Richards has the dominant position.
Richards tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
River is pressed up against the cage. Richards has hold of a leg and is looking to drag River down to the mat. River avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from River, right into the meat.
River connects with a leg kick. Richards looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
River moves out of range of the strikes.

River gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Richards to score an easy takedown into full 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!
River is trying to control the position from the bottom.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as River holds on and takes a little breather.
Richards postures up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
River has his hands on Richards's head, controlling the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Cole River was stalling too much, according to the referee.
River steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Richards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cole River dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Tyler Richards's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Richards misses with a hook. River ducked under it nicely.
River connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Richards's hands.
River has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
That kick from River tenderised Richards's leg. Richards is trying to keep his angry face on.
Richards misses the body punch
and River counters with a right hand to the body.
Richards swings and misses with a hook to the body.
River tries to close the distance and clinch up but Richards swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Richards throws an ugly left hook that misses

and River counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by River.
River lands a shoulder strike.
River unloads a knee to the mid-section. Richards lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
River misses with a knee strike.
River scores a nice knee to the body.
Richards works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
River lands on the inside with an uppercut.
River utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from River - that landed with a thud.
River lands a left hand that snaps the head of Richards backwards.
Richards lands a hook that snaps the head of River backwards.
Richards is trying to work for a single leg takedown but River pulls him back up using the underhooks.
River misses with an elbow over the top.
River unloads a knee to the mid-section.
River has Richards pressed against the cage.
Richards misses with a punch on the inside.
River lands a good knee to the midsection. Richards won't want to take too many of those.
River is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Richards swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Richards blocks an elbow strike from River.
River trying to control the position but instead, Richards has worked for underhooks and has pushed River into the cage.
River blocks an uppercut.
Tyler Richards has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A right hook to the body lands for Richards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
River lands a left hand.
River lands a right hand that snaps the head of Richards backwards.
Richards avoiding damage as River throws knees to the body.
Richards digs a right hand into River's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on River's gas tank.
Richards working aggressively here.
River tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Richards misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
River tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Richards avoids it.
Richards is working River over against the cage.
Richards throws a punch but it's blocked by River.
River tries to break free but Richards pushes him back against the cage.
Richards on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
River stalls.
River misses with an elbow over the top.
River is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Richards is defending well for now.
River prevents a body shot from Richards.
Richards leaning his opponent against the cage.
Richards swings wildly with an uppercut but River uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cole River 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.
Richards struggles to land a body shot inside as River controls his hands.
River digs a right hand into Richards's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Richards's gas tank.
River misses with a punch to the body.
Richards misses with a hook to the ribs.
River tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Richards lands a nice uppercut.
Richards scores with a shot to the side of River's head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

River breaks from the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
River lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
River connects with an inside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cole River comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think River has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 46:50
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 46:50
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cole River!
Cole River really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that //buriedALIVE// Fight Gear logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.