PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alistair Overeem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eirik Rivfader (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Overeem
vs
Rivfader

205 cm
37
270 lbs
27 - 17 - 2

150 cm
31
249 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 17 - 2, fighting out of London, Alistair Overeem!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Eirik Rivfader!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Robert Twigg and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Overeem throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A lazy left from Overeem finds it's target.
Overeem throws a sloppy head kick and Rivfader moves out of range easily.
Rivfader lands with a straight right. Overeem didn't see that one coming.
Overeem throws a head kick but Rivfader moves out of range.
Overeem takes a swing at Rivfader's ribcage but misses.
Rivfader shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Overeem pinned against the cage. Overeem gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rivfader throws a head kick but Overeem moves out of range.
Overeem throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rivfader avoids the head kick by Overeem.
Rivfader misses with a hook. Overeem ducked under it nicely.
Overeem is looking to land body kicks.
Overeem scores with a nice body kick.
Overeem throws a hook to the side of Rivfader's head but Rivfader sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A head kick misses from Overeem.

Rivfader closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Overeem's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Rivfader throws a big elbow that misses.
Overeem trying to control the position.
Overeem will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Rivfader is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Overeem wants to improve his position but instead Rivfader has moved into half guard.

Rivfader is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rivfader seems to be looking for submissions.

Rivfader is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Overeem sees it coming and defends easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rivfader thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Overeem's head.

Rivfader is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Overeem defends it well.
Rivfader trying to control the action but Overeem is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rivfader is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Overeem has managed to free his arm - good work.

Rivfader is working for a submission of some sort.

Rivfader is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Overeem defends it well.
Overeem on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Overeem tries to get out of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Rivfader seems to be looking for submissions.

Rivfader wants to work for an arm triangle but Overeem is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Rivfader throwing shots but Overeem is blocking nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rivfader frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Overeem wants to hold on but Rivfader pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Overeem keeps Rivfader at a distance using the push kick.
Rivfader takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Horrible takedown by Rivfader or perhaps it was just good defense by Overeem which made him look bad.
Rivfader fails with a takedown attempt.
Overeem throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A head kick misses from Overeem.
Overeem tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Overeem connects with a high kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rivfader misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rivfader throws a shot from downtown. Overeem moves away and avoids it.
Rivfader shoots in looking for a takedown. Overeem tries to sprawl out of it but Rivfader keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Overeem manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Alistair Overeem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eirik Rivfader.
Overeem throws a nice head kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivfader takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Overeem throws a head kick but Rivfader moves out of range.
Overeem throws a head kick that misses.
Rivfader lands a jab to the nose.
Rivfader fails with the takedown.
A jab from Rivfader misses.
Rivfader dives in for a single leg takedown but Overeem sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Rivfader manages to pull guard.
Rivfader has control of Overeem's left arm, preventing Overeem from doing any damage.
Overeem stops Rivfader from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Alistair Overeem.
Overeem misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rivfader.
Overeem smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Overeem plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Alistair Overeem seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Overeem throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Overeem lands a head kick. Rivfader smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Rivfader throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Overeem tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Rivfader is in Overeem's guard.
Rivfader makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Rivfader stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Overeem swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rivfader stops Overeem from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivfader pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Overeem is keeping the position for now.
Rivfader trying to move into half guard but instead Overeem has managed to sweep!
Rivfader looking to hit a scissor sweep but Overeem is one step ahead there.
Overeem wants to control from the top but Rivfader keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Alistair Overeem wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Rivfader fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Overeem to the ground. Rivfader is now in Overeem's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Rivfader stands and throws Overeem's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Overeem is looking for a sweep.
Rivfader throws a strike aimed at the side of Overeem's head but Overeem avoids it well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Overeem is not content to let Rivfader control the position.

Rivfader thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alistair Overeem dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Rivfader shoots in for a double leg but Overeem sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Rivfader throws a jab but it's blocked by Overeem.
Overeem lands a head kick. Rivfader smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rivfader is defended easily by Overeem.
Rivfader closes the distance and clinches up with Overeem, looking for a takedown. Rivfader pushes Overeem against the cage but Overeem circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Alistair Overeem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eirik Rivfader.
Rivfader tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Overeem throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Rivfader throws an overhand right that lands on Overeem's shoulder, as Overeem tries to avoid the shot.
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!
Overeem throws a head kick but Rivfader moves out of range.
Overeem throws a sloppy head kick and Rivfader moves out of range easily.
Rivfader avoids the head kick by Overeem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Overeem gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Overeem jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rivfader shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Overeem as he jumps to the side.
Rivfader avoids the head kick by Overeem.
Alistair Overeem is winning the standup battle so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
An inside leg kick lands from Rivfader.
Rivfader is trying hard to land a takedown here. Overeem sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Overeem lands a high kick!
Rivfader blocks a head kick by Overeem.
Rivfader throws a lazy right hand but Overeem sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Overeem looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Alistair Overeem is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rivfader throws a hook but Overeem avoids it easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rivfader shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Overeem pinned against the cage. Overeem gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Rivfader fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Overeem misses with a head kick.
Rivfader throws a head kick but Overeem moves out of range.
Overeem lands with a nice body punch.
Overeem throws a head kick that misses.

Rivfader shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Rivfader is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Overeem defends it well.
Overeem regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Rivfader.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rivfader is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Rivfader has gone for a leg lock! Overeem slips out almost immediately though and dives into Rivfader's guard.
Overeem stopping the sweep attempt from Rivfader.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivfader wants to stand but Overeem is controlling the position.
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!
I would just about give that final round to Eirik Rivfader.
I think Rivfader 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eirik Rivfader!
Eirik Rivfader bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.