PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jean Riviere (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Crown (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Riviere comes to the cage accompanied by Le Vagabond. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Riviere
vs
Crown

191 cm
21
190 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

180 cm
21
188 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jean Riviere!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Paul Crown!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Patrick Alders and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Crown checks a low kick from Riviere.

Crown gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Riviere is trying to maintain a safe position but Crown gets an underhook and turns Riviere into the cage.
Riviere definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Crown lands a nice knee to the body.
Crown tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Crown avoiding damage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Crown as Riviere tries to tie him up.
Riviere takes a knee right on the jaw!

It looks like Jean Riviere has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Crown gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A bit of stalling here from Crown.

Crown has hold of one of Riviere's legs. Riviere is fighting the takedown attempt but Crown gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Crown is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crown passes Riviere's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Riviere keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Crown working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Crown is taking a breather. Riviere says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Riviere trying to hold on to Crown's head to control him but Crown postures up.
Crown wants to control but Riviere is keeping him busy.
Riviere is looking to improve his position.
Crown seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Crown has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Crown looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Crown not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Riviere wants to improve his position but Crown is controlling well.

Crown is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Riviere doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Crown.

Crown is working for a submission of some sort.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Crown is working for a kimura but Riviere is defending it quite comfortably.
Crown is looking to advance position but Riviere won't allow it.
Crown throwing shots but Riviere is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Crown is looking to take a break and control but Riviere is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Riviere is trying to get back to full guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Crown not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Riviere knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Crown on the ground.
Riviere avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Crown.
Riviere is trying to get back to full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Riviere fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Jean Riviere is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Riviere throws a body shot but no joy.

Crown drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Crown wants to control from the top but Riviere keeps moving.
Crown 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Crown dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jean Riviere's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Riviere gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Crown decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Riviere's guard.
Crown working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Riviere trying to control the position here.
Crown is pushing down on Riviere's leg trying to pass to half guard. Riviere is fighting to maintain full guard but Crown has managed to sneak the leg through.
Crown is looking to take a break and control but Riviere is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Crown works his way into side control.
Paul Crown has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Crown working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Crown tries to move into full mount but can't pass Riviere's legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crown wants to take a breather but Riviere manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Crown.
Crown is looking to pass into half guard but Riviere pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Riviere is in guard.

Crown has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Crown seems keen to control Riviere's posture.

Crown looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Riviere stopping the sweep attempt from Crown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riviere wants to control from the top but Crown keeps moving.

Crown is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Crown tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Crown holds on and takes a little breather.
Riviere won't allow Crown to sweep him here.
Crown trying to keep a closed guard but Riviere is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Crown looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Riviere sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Crown's guard.
Crown regains full guard. Nicely done.

Riviere got a little sloppy there for a moment and Crown has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Riviere has managed to get both his arms back between Crown's legs - danger averted.
Crown seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Crown is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Riviere frees his head nicely. Oh but Crown has switched to an armbar! Riviere is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Paul Crown!