PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Santiago Riasco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Francis Underwood (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Riasco kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is The Mexakinz ft. Xzibit - The Wake Up Show. Francis Underwood will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Riasco
vs
Underwood

162 cm
23
155 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

178 cm
22
141 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Arcticus University: London
Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40)

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 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Santiago Riasco!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Francis Underwood!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, John Roberts and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Underwood cracks Riasco with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Riasco shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Underwood pinned against the cage. Underwood gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Francis Underwood seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Underwood tried to score with a low kick but Riasco checks it.
Underwood fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Riasco.
Underwood has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Riasco dives in and grabs Underwood's left leg, looking for a takedown. Underwood pushes down on Riasco's head and hops out.
Riasco fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Santiago Riasco. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Underwood feints and then cracks Riasco's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Riasco down.
Underwood connects with a leg kick. Riasco looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Riasco.
Underwood is looking to reverse the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
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Riasco tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Underwood is trying to improve his position.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Underwood is trying to improve his position.
Underwood isn't going anywhere.
Underwood looks to move to half guard but instead Riasco has passed into mount! Damn!
Underwood is squirming around, avoiding Riasco's attempts to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Underwood tries to hold on but Riasco pushes him away.
Underwood is looking to improve his position but Riasco isn't that keen on the idea.
Riasco wants to control the pace but Underwood is squirming around nicely.

Riasco working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Riasco working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Riasco with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Underwood wants to control but Riasco is having none of it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

Riasco has control of Underwood's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Underwood regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Underwood is in all sorts of trouble here.
Underwood is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Underwood regains half guard.
Underwood is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Underwood is looking to get back to full guard here but Riasco has managed to pass to side control instead.

Riasco is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Underwood knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Underwood struggling a bit here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Riasco is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Underwood has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Underwood sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Underwood has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Riasco is working away from the top position though.
Underwood gets back to full guard.
Underwood keeping full guard, as Riasco tries to pass.
Underwood pulls Riasco in close to his closed guard and prevents Riasco from doing any damage or advancing position.
Riasco is pushing down on Underwood's leg trying to pass to half guard. Underwood is fighting to maintain full guard but Riasco has managed to sneak the leg through.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Underwood is defending against the submission attempts here by Riasco.
Underwood wants to control but Riasco is keeping busy and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Santiago Riasco dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Riasco with a poor takedown
and Underwood counters with a good, hard body kick but Riasco shrugs it off.
Underwood lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Underwood lands with a thumping leg kick.
Riasco tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Underwood fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Riasco tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Underwood swivels and escapes.
Underwood scores with a sloppy right hand. Riasco should have avoided that one.
Underwood throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Riasco on the side of the head.

Underwood lands a big head kick that sends Riasco tumbling to the mat! Underwood takes a step backwards and waves Riasco back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Riasco is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Underwood misses with a body shot.
Riasco changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Oh Riasco is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Riasco shoots for a double leg takedown but Underwood sprawls well. He's pushed Riasco's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Santiago Riasco. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Underwood feints and then cracks Riasco's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Riasco down.
Riasco seems to have got his legs back now.
Decent striking displayed by Underwood there.

Underwood lands a big head kick that sends Riasco tumbling to the mat! Underwood takes a step backwards and waves Riasco back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Riasco shoots in for a double leg but Underwood sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riasco fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Underwood feints and then cracks Riasco's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Riasco down.
Riasco takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Riasco looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Riasco takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Underwood scoring well with a low kick there.
Underwood dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Riasco. That did some damage!
Underwood tries to land a front kick but Riasco steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Underwood lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Underwood goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Underwood throws a head kick that misses.
Underwood throws a nice outside leg kick.
Underwood with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Underwood chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riasco takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Underwood throws a chopping leg kick but Riasco manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Underwood paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Underwood throws a leg kick that is checked

and Riasco counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Riasco is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Underwood has managed to free his arm - good work.
Riasco is looking to advance position but Underwood won't allow it.
Underwood controlling the position well.
Underwood trying to control here.
Underwood is refusing to be controlled, as Riasco sits in half guard.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Underwood is trying to maintain the position but Riasco is very close to passing his half guard.

Underwood is defending against the submission attempts here by Riasco.
Riasco controlling the action here.
Riasco trying to pass the guard but Underwood defending well.
Underwood controlling the position well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Underwood is looking to improve his position.
Underwood is controlling Riasco's position as best he can from this difficult position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Riasco is thwarting Underwood's attempts to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
No luck for Riasco with that takedown attempt.
Riasco shoots in looking for a takedown but Underwood manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Riasco's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Underwood shapes to counter with a head kick.
Francis Underwood seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Underwood fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Underwood connects with an inside leg kick.
Riasco fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Riasco fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Francis Underwood showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Riasco has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Underwood.
Riasco fails with a takedown attempt.
Riasco is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A nice leg kick lands there from Underwood.
Riasco takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Underwood is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Underwood defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Riasco.
Underwood tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Underwood throws the kick towards the body but Riasco avoids it.
Underwood is looking to slow Riasco down with leg kicks.
Underwood buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Underwood fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Underwood scores with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Underwood.
Riasco checks a low kick from Underwood.
Riasco appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Riasco's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.
Underwood buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Underwood scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Riasco fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Santiago Riasco. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Underwood jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Underwood lands with a kick to the ribs.
Underwood fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Riasco on the side of the head.
Underwood throws a right hand that Riasco ducks under and follows up with a left that Riasco also avoids with ease.
Riasco appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Underwood stuffs the takedown attempt from Riasco. Riasco gets slowly back to his feet.
Riasco fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Underwood connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Riasco looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Underwood is fending him off so far but Riasco persists. Nope, Underwood circles away and we're back to standing.
Underwood is looking to slow Riasco down with leg kicks.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Riasco on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Underwood. Underwood obviously looking to wear him down.
Underwood scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Underwood throws a quick inside leg kick.
Riasco misses with a takedown
and Underwood counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Underwood has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Underwood scores with the left hand. Riasco knows he should have avoided that one.
Underwood is looking to slow Riasco down with leg kicks.
An inside leg kick lands from Underwood.
Underwood scores with a sloppy right hand. Riasco should have avoided that one.
Riasco fails with a takedown attempt.
Santiago Riasco is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Underwood lands with a kick to the ribs.
Underwood scores with a crisp jab that stopped Riasco in his tracks.
Underwood connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Riasco momentarily.
Riasco dives in and grabs Underwood's left leg, looking for a takedown. Underwood pushes down on Riasco's head and hops out.
Riasco shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Underwood tries a quick counter leg kick but Riasco is wise to it.
Riasco on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Underwood. Underwood obviously looking to wear him down.
Underwood cracks Riasco with a good jab.
Underwood throws a nice outside leg kick.
Underwood with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Underwood moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Underwood, right into the meat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice body kick there by Underwood.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Underwood connects with a solid leg kick.
Riasco has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Underwood.
Riasco fails with a takedown attempt.
Underwood catches Riasco with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A solid leg kick lands there for Underwood.
Underwood thumps Riasco with a low kick.
Underwood is looking to slow Riasco down with leg kicks.
A solid body kick from Underwood.
Riasco has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Underwood.
Riasco takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Riasco has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Underwood.
Underwood fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Francis Underwood comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Underwood 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 Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:29
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 27:29
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Francis Underwood!
Francis Underwood thanked the fans post fight for their support.