PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Oscar Rivas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nova Uniao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rivas's entrance music is Cypress Hill-Insane in the Membrane. A fine choice. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Rivas
vs
Uniao

185 cm
27
196 lbs
4 - 7 - 0

180 cm
40
198 lbs
22 - 19 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Determined

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 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Oscar Rivas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Nova Uniao!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Alec Ball and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rivas throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Uniao.
Uniao bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Uniao gets a clinch.

Rivas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Uniao dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rivas wants to land a leg kick but Uniao is out of range.
Uniao stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Uniao wants it to stay on the feet.
Uniao scores with a three punch combo!
Rivas is trying hard to land a takedown here. Uniao sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rivas takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Rivas fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oscar Rivas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rivas looks for a takedown but Uniao sprawls well.
Rivas rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Uniao moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Uniao appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Uniao slaps away a takedown attempt from Rivas, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivas will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Uniao looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Rivas throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Uniao counters with a right hand to the body.
Uniao scores with a punch to the head.
Rivas with a poor takedown
and Rivas takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rivas is breathing heavily.
Uniao connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

It looks like Oscar Rivas has been cut.
A combination from Rivas does no damage.
Rivas throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Uniao takes the fight into the clinch.
Rivas takes a shot to the head.
Our sources have told us that Rivas has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Rivas can't get the takedown.
A right hand to the body from Uniao.
Uniao lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
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!

Uniao has Rivas pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Uniao pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Rivas tumbling to the mat - Uniao dives into Rivas's guard.
Uniao advances to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Uniao scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Rivas is trying to get back to full guard.
Uniao wants to pass to mount but Rivas is defending the position.
Uniao stalling away here and it's allowed Rivas to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

Rivas has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Uniao can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Uniao throwing strikes but missing.
Uniao told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rivas looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Uniao passes into side control.
Rivas wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Uniao is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Rivas is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Uniao in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Uniao looks up at the clock and then as Rivas takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Uniao smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Rivas gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Uniao is keen to just control but Rivas is a slippery customer.
Uniao throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Rivas gets back to full guard.

Uniao postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Rivas is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Uniao, into his guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nova Uniao dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Oscar Rivas's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Some wild striking there from Rivas.
Rivas shoots in for a takedown but Uniao shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Uniao is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rivas shoots for a double leg takedown but Uniao sprawls well. He's pushed Rivas's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A little jabbing left from Uniao on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Rivas thows a left - swing and a miss!
Uniao throws a front kick that sends Rivas stumbling back into the cage.

Rivas moves into the clinch successfully.
Uniao pushes Rivas back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rivas jumps guard but Uniao stands there with Rivas around his waist. Rivas gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oscar Rivas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Uniao can't get the takedown.
A nice left hand lands by Uniao.
Rivas has Uniao pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Uniao manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Uniao misses with a body punch.
Rivas has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Uniao avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Uniao works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Uniao keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rivas's head.
Uniao has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Uniao landing with the ground and pound.
Rivas looking for a sweep. Not yet Rivas, not yet.
Rivas is trying to control the position but Uniao postures up.
Uniao lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Rivas keeping moving, preventing Uniao from controlling successfully.

Rivas looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Uniao passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Uniao looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Rivas is trying to get back to full guard.
Uniao has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rivas wants to get back to full guard but Uniao has mounted him!
Rivas is trying desperately to improve position.
Uniao looking to finish Rivas with some ground and pound. This is bad for Rivas!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivas working to try and regain half guard.
Uniao lands a big shot there that rocks Rivas but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Rivas is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Rivas working to try and regain half guard.
Nova Uniao has got the better of the ground game so far.
Uniao scoring with strikes but Rivas is staying in there.
Uniao controlling the position easily from mount.
BOOM! Uniao connects with a massive shot to the dome!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivas taking shots to the head.

Rivas is rocked!
Uniao postures up and throws a couple of big shots that have Rivas in real trouble here! The ref calls for Rivas to improve his position which he doesn't do, so the referee has no choice but to end the fight due to the strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:41 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Nova Uniao!
An out of breath Nova Uniao thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.