PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Malcolm West (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Francisco Rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Malcolm West has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

West
vs
Rivera

202 cm
18
177 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

181 cm
19
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Can Moonwalk

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Malcolm West!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Francisco Rivera!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Paul Gruel and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
West moves in looking to clinch but Rivera pushes him off.
Rivera throws a fast counter high kick but West manages to duck under it in time.

Rivera clinches up against the cage.
Rivera is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
West is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rivera is defending well for now.
Rivera changes levels and goes for a takedown here. West fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Rivera moves into the clinch.
West avoiding damage as Rivera throws knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rivera lands with a light punch inside.

Rivera pulls guard effortlessly.
West is standing up over Rivera. Rivera looks to escape but West dives into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rivera is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera regains half guard.
Rivera keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rivera is pressing down on West's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Rivera manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

West's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rivera stuffs the takedown attempt from West. West gets slowly back to his feet.
Rivera has a takedown stuffed.
It appears West was looking to counter with a kick there.
Nice sprawl there from West as Rivera shoots in.
Malcolm West has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Francisco Rivera.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rivera clinches up against the cage.
West wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rivera has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by West after a bit of a struggle.

Rivera pulls guard.
West throws a strike but Rivera rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Rivera 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.
Rivera won't allow West to sweep him here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rivera sitting in guard here, content to control.
Rivera working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
West trying to strike off his back.
West being controlled here, momentarily.
West looking to control.
Rivera throws an elbow that misses. West uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rivera's guard. Nice move by West!

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.
Rivera looking for a sweep. Not yet Rivera, not yet.
Rivera utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
West throwing strikes from guard but Rivera blocks nicely.
Rivera wants to sweep here but West controlling him for the moment.

Rivera has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but West can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rivera keeps the fight on the outside.
West tries for a takedown but Rivera circles away easily
and Rivera counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Francisco Rivera dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

West fails with an attempt to clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rivera.
Rivera shoots in but no luck this time.
Rivera dives in and grabs West's left leg, looking for a takedown. West pushes down on Rivera's head and hops out.
West seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Malcolm West has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Francisco Rivera.
West goes for a double leg but Rivera avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Rivera continues to drive forward.
Rivera fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
West tries to clinch there but Rivera circles away.
Rivera shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says West as he avoids it easily.
Rivera fails with the takedown
and West counters with a head kick. That will keep Rivera thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Rivera is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
West tries to clinch there but Rivera circles away.

West rushes Rivera and presses him up against the cage.

West breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rivera misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

West instigates a clinch.
Rivera tries to pull guard but West won't allow it.
West has Rivera pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rivera manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
West has had enough of the clinch but Rivera keeps him there for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
West has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rivera is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Rivera pulls guard.
Rivera is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Rivera is trying to keep West in close.
Rivera is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
West missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
West trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
West throws a big elbow that misses.
West won't allow Rivera to sweep him here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
West tries to close the distance and clinch but Rivera swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Rivera forces West back against the cage and clinches.
Rivera tries to break the clinch but West is controlling the position.
West tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rivera is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Rivera gets control of West's arms and successfully pulls guard. Rivera will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
West really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Rivera preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
West is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rivera working for a triangle but West defends it easily.
West working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rivera is striking off his back. West thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Rivera is positioning himself well to prevent West advancing to mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rivera is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malcolm West dominated that second 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

West doesn't manage to clinch there - Rivera circles away.
West tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rivera swats him away and circles back towards the center.
West shoots in for a takedown but Rivera shows good takedown defense.
Rivera shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says West as he avoids it easily.
West is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Rivera moves into the clinch successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rivera is trying to force a seperation but West has the dominant position.
Rivera is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. West is defending well for now.
West wants a takedown but no success here.

West pulls Rivera into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
West being controlled here, momentarily.

Rivera decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on West, up you get!

West has closed the distance and engaged Rivera in a clinch.
Rivera tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. West just stands there and leans against the cage.
West is looking to break free of the clinch but Rivera has double underhooks.

That's two 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.

Rivera decides to pull guard.
West stopping the sweep attempt from Rivera.

Rivera throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! West escapes and throws Rivera's legs to the side, diving into side control!
West cracks Rivera with a big elbow.
Rivera manages to get back to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Rivera manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Rivera takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
West postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivera utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Rivera has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. West has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Rivera has West pressed against the cage, preventing West from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

West has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Rivera is trying to keep an underhook but West manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Rivera tries to roll over but West keeps him under control.
Rivera is doing well to control the position and prevent West from advancing to side control.
Rivera gets back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rivera pushes West off and scrambles back to his feet.
Rivera fails with a takedown attempt.
Malcolm West has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Francisco Rivera.

Rivera clinches with his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rivera goes for a takedown in the clinch but West prevents it.
Rivera is trying to maintain a safe position but West gets an underhook and turns Rivera into the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Francisco Rivera comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rivera 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 Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Francisco Rivera!