PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ronnie Riley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Athan Stamatis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Riley's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Queen - It's A Hard Life. The crowd seem to be enjoying Stamatis's choice of entrance music: Lose Yourself. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Riley
vs
Stamatis

184 cm
34
188 lbs
29 - 12 - 2

176 cm
37
184 lbs
55 - 27 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Sparta Fightware
//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

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 29 - 12 - 2, fighting out of Hilo, Ronnie Riley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 55 - 27 - 0, fighting out of New York, Athan Stamatis!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, John Kavanagh and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stamatis looks for a takedown but Riley sprawls well.
Stamatis looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Riley lands a jab.
Riley misses with a hook
and Stamatis makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Riley tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Stamatis shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Riley as he jumps to the side.
Some wild striking there from Riley.
Riley misses with a body kick.

Riley gets caught napping as Stamatis dives in and scores a takedown. Riley manages to retain guard.
Stamatis tries to free his leg and advance position but Riley is retaining full guard.
Stamatis postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Riley looking to control but Stamatis passes into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Riley is looking for a sweep. Stamatis is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stamatis is working for a kimura but Riley is defending it quite comfortably.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stamatis prevents Riley from improving his position.
Riley is trying to maintain the position but Stamatis is very close to passing his half guard.
Riley is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Still in half guard, Stamatis seems content to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Stamatis throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Riley is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Stamatis throwing shots but Riley is blocking nicely.
Riley is trying to maintain the position but Stamatis is very close to passing his half guard.
Riley is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Riley is trying to control but can't.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Stamatis!
Riley tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stamatis was well out of range. Poor timing from Riley.
Riley tries to work over Stamatis's front leg with a kick but Stamatis checks it.
Riley feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Stamatis's calf.
No joy there for Riley, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riley fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stamatis manages to avoid it.
Stamatis throws a leg kick which misses Riley's front leg but catches the back leg as Riley tries to avoid it.
Riley is looking to chop away at Stamatis's legs.
As Riley backs off Stamatis throws a huge counter combo but Riley manages to avoid it all.
Riley does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Riley scoring well with a low kick there.
Riley will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Stamatis stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Stamatis wants it to stay on the feet.
Riley motions for Stamatis to come forward. Riley throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Stamatis misses with an uppercut.
Stamatis throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Riley misses with a two punch combination.
Stamatis misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Stamatis steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Riley.
Stamatis thows a left - swing and a miss!
Stamatis throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Stamatis shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ronnie Riley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Athan Stamatis.
A nice inside leg kick there by Riley. That's going to slow Stamatis down.
No luck for Stamatis with that takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riley keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Stamatis.
Riley half committed to a counter leg kick.
Stamatis takes a shot to the body in his stride.
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!
Stamatis chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Riley can pounce on him.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Riley.
Riley connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Riley tries to score with a low kick but Stamatis moves his leg out of the way.
Riley blocks the body kick.
Stamatis changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Nice straight punches there by Stamatis. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Stamatis.
Nice uppercut lands for Riley. That snapped Stamatis's head back.
Riley throws a looping overhand right but Stamatis ducks down to avoid it.
And Stamatis tries to counter it with a takedown but Riley pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Riley tries a low kick but Stamatis avoids it.
Stamatis looks to land a combination but Riley avoids it well.
Riley scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Riley works Stamatis's body with a nice hook.
Stamatis on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ronnie Riley will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Thud! ouch! good body kick from Riley - that will leave a mark!
Nice shot by Riley.
Riley throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
And Stamatis tries to counter it with a takedown but Riley pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Both fighters circling a little - Riley finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Stamatis sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Stamatis throws a head kick that misses.
Riley throws a half hearted mid kick.
Stamatis pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Riley back to the cage. Stamatis follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Riley throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Riley lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Riley misses with a body shot.
Stamatis takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Riley tries to land a front kick but Stamatis steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Riley.
Riley is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Stamatis dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Riley scores with a jab.
Riley tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Stamatis manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Stamatis takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riley takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Riley shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Stamatis fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Riley has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Stamatis takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Stamatis misses with a body shot.
Stamatis throws a series of punches but Riley avoids them all with ease.
Riley on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Stamatis moves out of range of the leg kick from Riley.
Riley throws a solid leg kick but Stamatis takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Riley.
Riley loads up on a big right hand but Stamatis slips the punch.
Stamatis throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Stamatis tries to score a power double leg takedown but Riley sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Stamatis somewhat.
Riley slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stamatis keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Stamatis uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Riley.
Stamatis connects with a body shot that sends Riley's belly button to the back.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Riley fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Stamatis checks it well.
A clash of legs there as Stamatis blocks the low kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Stamatis. That's going to slow Riley down.
Riley throws a push kick but Stamatis slaps the foot to one side.
Stamatis defending well as Riley loads up on a big left hand.
Stamatis misses with a low kick as Riley jumps back.
Riley attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Riley gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Stamatis.
Stamatis looks to score with a jab to the body but Riley is just out of range.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Riley. Stamatis shrugs it off though.
Riley scoring well with a low kick there.
Stamatis throws a head kick but Riley moves out of range.
Stamatis has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Riley.
Stamatis slips a straight right by Riley.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riley cracks Stamatis with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Nice straight punches there by Stamatis. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Stamatis.
Riley takes a swing at Stamatis's ribcage but misses.
Stamatis misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Riley.
Riley throws a push kick but Stamatis slaps the foot to one side.
Riley throws the kick towards the body but Stamatis avoids it.
Stamatis misses with a head kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Riley. Stamatis does a little dance to reset his feet.
Riley throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Ronnie Riley seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Stamatis - that will leave a mark!
Riley misses with a low kick as Stamatis jumps back.
Stamatis drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Riley defends it well.
Riley misses with a body kick.
Stamatis misses with a jab, cross combination.
A slow jab from Stamatis misses its intended target.
Riley throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Riley misses with a body kick.
Stamatis uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Riley.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riley blocks a head kick by Stamatis.
Riley connects with a body shot.
Stamatis has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Riley.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Riley throws a head kick but Stamatis moves out of range.
Riley misses with the combination.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stamatis looks to score with a jab to the body but Riley is just out of range.
Stamatis lands a nice looking body kick.
Stamatis swings for the body but Riley moves out of range.
Riley steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stamatis.
Stamatis pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Stamatis lands with a nice body punch.
Riley misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stamatis.
Stamatis dives in for a single leg takedown but Riley sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Stamatis throws a series of punches but Riley moves out of range.
Stamatis defending well as Riley loads up on a big left hand.
Stamatis is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Riley with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ronnie Riley will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Riley tries to land a front kick but Stamatis steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Riley scoring well with a low kick there.
Riley swinging wildly here.
Stamatis misses with a body kick.
Stamatis chopping away at his opponent's legs.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Stamatis checks a leg kick.
Riley misses with a body kick.
Stamatis pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Riley misses with an uppercut.
Riley will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Riley throws a leg kick which misses Stamatis's front leg but catches the back leg as Stamatis tries to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Riley wants to slow Stamatis down by chopping away at his legs.
Riley wants to slow Stamatis down by chopping away at his legs.
Riley connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Stamatis explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Riley tries a low kick but Stamatis avoids it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stamatis tests Riley's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Stamatis shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Riley but Riley pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Riley lands with a thumping leg kick.
Riley has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Stamatis.
Riley stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Stamatis.
Riley throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Riley looks to score with a jab to the body but Stamatis is just out of range.
Stamatis lands a jab to Riley's midsection.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Stamatis, right into the meat.
Stamatis moves out of range of the strikes.
A decent looking cross lands there for Riley.
A nice inside leg kick there by Stamatis. That's going to slow Riley down.

Stamatis shoots in and bounces Riley off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stamatis is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stamatis with a nice head shot there.

Riley working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Stamatis doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Stamatis manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Stamatis advances position into side control!
Riley tries to buck Stamatis off but Stamatis is having none of it.
Riley sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riley tries to get to full guard but Stamatis has control of the leg.
Stamatis thows a huge punch but Riley dodges it nicely.
Riley blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stamatis.
Riley is trying to maintain the position but Stamatis is very close to passing his half guard.
Stamatis lands with a punch from half guard.
Athan Stamatis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Stamatis lands a nice short elbow.
Stamatis has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Riley trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Riley is desperately trying to improve his position but Stamatis has a good base and remains in mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stamatis avoids the attempt from Riley to control.
The referee warns Riley that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Stamatis landing strikes, looking to finish!

Riley is rocked!
Stamatis working Riley over with strikes here.
Oh Riley is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Stamatis dominating with strikes here.
Stamatis cracks Riley with a big head shot that has him covering up instantly! He's rolled onto his side and the referee has seen enough - this one is aaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:53 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Athan Stamatis!
Athan Stamatis decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.
Ronnie Riley spoke after the fight, saying 'Personally I blame my manager for sending me in there with such a ridiculous gameplan, it's about time I got someone else to manage me.'.