PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Michael Richer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Travis Keller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Travis Keller is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Richer
vs
Keller

168 cm
27
145 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

163 cm
25
144 lbs
5 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

BlackStar Athletics
Underworld Clothing

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michael Richer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Travis Keller!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Gregory Folan and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Richer shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Keller's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Richer accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Richer trying to control but Keller is working from the bottom.
Richer landing with the ground and pound.

Richer drops back, looking for a kneebar! Keller looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Keller looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Keller!

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Richer gets back to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Richer is looking to control Keller's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Richer avoid being mounted?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richer moves into full guard.
Keller really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Richer. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Richer has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Keller can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Richer not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Richer throws his legs up looking for a submission but Keller uses it to pass to side control.
Richer is looking for a sweep.

That's two 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.
You can see the frustration on Richer's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Richer is trying to get back to his feet.
Richer tries to improve position but can't.
Richer is trying to work for a sweep but Keller has mounted him!
Richer tries to reverse the position but Keller maintains control.
Keller wants to stand but Richer is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richer working to try and regain half guard.
Richer is working hard here to advance position.
Richer bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Keller avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Richer is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Keller is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Keller has escaped and now he's on top!

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Keller is looking to stand up but Richer won't let him.

Richer working for a triangle but Keller defends it easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Richer working for a triangle but Keller defends it easily.
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 Michael Richer will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Richer throws a head kick but Keller moves out of range.
Keller is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Richer.
Richer wants to control but Keller is keeping him busy.

Richer wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Keller, who protects the arm well.

Richer tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Keller is trying to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keller is not content to let Richer control the position.

Richer working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Richer is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Keller has escaped the position, nice work there.
The strikes coming from Richer are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's two 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.
Richer wants to lay and pray for a moment but Keller keeps working.
Keller wants to get back to his feet.
Keller is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Richer is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Keller is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Keller prevents Richer from improving position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ground and pound from Richer seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Richer wants to control but Keller is keeping him busy.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Keller takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Richer looks to land a body kick but Keller moved away.
Keller wants to counter with a clinch but Richer pushes him away.
Richer throws a body kick that misses.

Richer rushes Keller and presses him up against the cage.
Keller tries for a takedown. No joy.
Keller tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keller wants a takedown but no success here.
Michael Richer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Travis Keller.

Richer has hold of one of Keller's legs. Keller is fighting the takedown attempt but Richer gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Richer trying to control the position from guard on top but Keller is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Richer with a flurry of punches that miss.
Richer wants to control from the top but Keller keeps moving.
Keller preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Richer is looking to work some ground and pound but Keller has wrist control.
Richer trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Richer trying to control but Keller is working from the bottom.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Richer dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Keller enables Richer to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Keller manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Richer scoring with punches to the head and body.
Richer trying to control the position from guard on top but Keller is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Richer has gone for a leg lock! Keller slips out almost immediately though and dives into Richer's guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Richer is trying to hold Keller in close to prevent damage but Keller has managed to pass into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keller is thwarting Richer's attempts to control the position.

Richer is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Keller pulls his head out easily.

Richer actively working from the bottom here.
Richer is trying to get back to full guard.
Richer is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Keller can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Keller wants to stand up but Richer is controlling the position.
Richer is trying to control but can't.
Richer is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Richer is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Keller bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A leg kick checked by Keller.

Richer closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Keller quickly recovers to half guard.

Richer is working for a kimura but Keller is defending it quite comfortably.

Richer is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Keller doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Richer.
Travis Keller has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Richer is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Keller is just riding it out for now. Richer eventually gives up the hold.
Richer throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Richer showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Richer has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 William Peck scores the fight 30:26
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:26
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Richer!
A victorious Michael Richer thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.