PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ian Langley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Franco Rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Langley might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to inner ninja - Classified ft David Myles. Ian Langley has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Langley
vs
Rivera

175 cm
25
155 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

185 cm
23
159 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ian Langley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Franco Rivera!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rivera closes the distance and clinches.
Langley tries for a takedown but Rivera manages to get underhooks.
Langley is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rivera pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rivera is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ian Langley. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Langley is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rivera gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Rivera displaying some good clinch control by pressing Langley up against the cage.
Langley is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Rivera breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Langley fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rivera avoids it really well and circles away.

Langley shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Rivera is trying to defend but Langley finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Langley with the ground and pound but Rivera uses the opportunity to regain guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Langley postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Langley wants to control from the top but Rivera keeps moving.
Langley controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Langley throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rivera works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rivera is trying to control the position but Langley postures up.
Rivera is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Franco Rivera hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Langley closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Rivera did well to prevent Langley getting side control.
Langley sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rivera defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivera keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Langley thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Langley seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rivera does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Rivera is trying to control but can't.
Langley trying to mount his opponent but Rivera defends it.
Langley perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Langley throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Langley has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Langley lands a nice short elbow.
Rivera is trying to stand up here but Langley is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Langley thows a huge punch but Rivera dodges it nicely.
Langley trying to control the action but Rivera is working from the bottom.
Rivera really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Langley. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rivera makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rivera.
Langley scoring with some ground and pound.
Rivera trying to control the position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Langley seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Langley passes into half guard.
Langley is pressing down on Rivera's thigh, looking to free his foot. Rivera is holding on for now.
Langley trying to control from half guard but Rivera is working away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Langley wants to free his trapped foot but Rivera is holding on for dear life with his legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ian Langley dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Langley has his takedown stuffed

and Rivera moves into the clinch.
Rivera stops a takedown attempt from Langley.
Rivera leaning his opponent against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Rivera obliges.
Langley is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rivera pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ian Langley. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Langley wants a takedown but no success here.
Rivera prevents the takedown attempt.

Rivera breaks from the clinch.

Rivera clinches.
Langley drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rivera pulls his leg out and moves away.
Langley has a takedown stuffed.
Ian Langley seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Rivera gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Langley has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rivera is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Rivera escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rivera's coach down at CW's Elite Kung-Fu Academy was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Rivera's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

Rivera darts in and clinches Langley up against the cage.
Rivera gets underhooks to prevent Langley's takedown attempt.
Langley looking for a takedown.
Rivera digs a right hand into Langley's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Langley's gas tank.

Rivera breaks the clinch.

Rivera rushes Langley and presses him up against the cage.

Rivera breaks the clinch.

Rivera clinches up with Langley and pushes him back against the cage.

Rivera breaks from the clinch.
Langley dives in for a single leg takedown but Rivera sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Langley changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rivera fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Rivera drives through and clinches with Langley against the cage.
Rivera prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Langley is looking to take this one to the mat.

Rivera manages to break the clinch.
Langley throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rivera's waist but Rivera gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Langley off to one side.
Langley shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rivera counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Rivera gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Rivera manages to break the clinch.

Rivera moves into the clinch successfully.
Langley is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rivera pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Langley being controlled against the cage.
Langley is working for takedown but Rivera is calmly controlling the position for now.
Rivera effectively controlling the action here.
Rivera gets underhooks to prevent Langley's takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivera connects with a nasty looking knee right to Langley's face.
Rivera prevents a takedown attempt there.
Rivera prevents the takedown attempt.
Franco Rivera seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Rivera escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Rivera has Langley up against the cage in a clinch.
Langley tries for a takedown. No joy.
Rivera prevents a takedown attempt there.

Rivera escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Rivera gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Rivera.
Langley drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Langley is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rivera is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Langley has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rivera avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Rivera crunches a lovely knee into Langley's ribcage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Langley is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rivera gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Langley goes for a takedown attempt but Rivera pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Langley fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Franco Rivera showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Rivera has managed to clinch.
Rivera is pressed up against the cage. Langley has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rivera down to the mat. Rivera avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Rivera gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Rivera gets underhooks to prevent Langley's takedown attempt.
Langley tries to score a body lock takedown but Rivera shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ian Langley. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Langley has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rivera avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Langley drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rivera pulls his leg out and moves away.
Langley throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rivera's waist but Rivera gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Langley off to one side.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Langley shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Rivera fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Langley, pushing him back against the cage.
Rivera stalling against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Langley tries for a takedown but Rivera manages to get underhooks.
Rivera stops a takedown attempt from Langley.
Langley can't get the takedown.
Langley has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rivera avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Rivera - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Langley drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rivera gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Langley tries for a takedown. No joy.
Rivera displaying some good clinch control by pressing Langley up against the cage.
Langley is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rivera pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivera stalls.

Rivera pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Franco Rivera is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Rivera closes the distance and pushes Langley back into the cage.
Rivera working Langley over with knees to the body.
Langley is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rivera is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Langley looking for a takedown.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Langley has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rivera avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rivera manages to break the clinch.

Rivera has closed the distance and engaged Langley in a clinch.
Rivera gets underhooks to prevent Langley's takedown attempt.
Langley goes for a takedown attempt but Rivera pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Rivera clinches.
Rivera taking a breather.
Langley has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rivera is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Rivera lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Langley wants to take the fight to the mat but Rivera manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

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

Rivera clinches up against the cage.
Langley is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rivera pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rivera just leaning against Langley, taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Langley is looking to take this one to the mat.
Langley wants a takedown.
Rivera holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Rivera breaks the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Rivera gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Rivera gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Langley.
Rivera dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Franco Rivera comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rivera 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Franco Rivera!