PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wilmer Rivers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michaelson Fernandes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Michaelson Fernandes will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Rivers
vs
Fernandes

185 cm
18
214 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

199 cm
18
212 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Wilmer Rivers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Michaelson Fernandes!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Leandro Rodrigues and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rivers fails with a takedown attempt.
Fernandes lands a jab to the head.
Rivers wants to clinch
and Fernandes counters with a stiff right hand.

It looks like Wilmer Rivers has been cut.

Fernandes closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Fernandes lands in his opponent's guard.
Rivers is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Rivers is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Fernandes defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivers is nestled in close to Fernandes, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Rivers is trying to work for a kimura but Fernandes is defending well.

Rivers is looking for a kimura but Fernandes is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rivers to get the leverage.
Fernandes wants to get back to full guard.
Rivers is nestled in close to Fernandes, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Fernandes has hold of Rivers's hands but Rivers slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Fernandes regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Rivers.

Fernandes looking for a guillotine here but Rivers defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivers missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Fernandes is trying to keep Rivers in close.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Fernandes holds on and takes a little breather.
Rivers has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Rivers landing with the ground and pound.

Rivers stands and steps away. Fernandes gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernandes misses with a head kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Fernandes.
Fernandes circles away from the clinch attempt.
Fernandes is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

Rivers clinches.
Rivers gets underhooks to prevent Fernandes's takedown attempt.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rivers.

Rivers's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Fernandes forces Rivers back against the cage and clinches.
Rivers throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Fernandes blocks it with crossed arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fernandes wants to break free but Rivers has control.
Rivers prevents a takedown attempt there.
Wilmer Rivers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michaelson Fernandes.
Fernandes can't get the takedown.
Fernandes throws a punch but it's blocked by Rivers.
Fernandes is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Rivers to keep the fight standing.
Fernandes looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Rivers breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Rivers shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Fernandes manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Rivers wants to stand but Fernandes has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wilmer Rivers dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Wilmer Rivers's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Rivers gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Fernandes is trying to break free.

Rivers breaks from the clinch.
Rivers wants to clinch up but Fernandes keeps it at a distance.
Fernandes shoots in for a takedown but Rivers shows good takedown defense.
Fernandes shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rivers pinned against the cage. Rivers gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rivers tries to clinch but Fernandes is having none of it.
Fernandes throws a head kick that misses.
Fernandes throws a sloppy head kick and Rivers moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fernandes moves into the clinch.
Fernandes taking a breather.
Fernandes is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Fernandes is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Come on Rivers - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Fernandes is trying to pull guard but Rivers turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Wilmer Rivers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michaelson Fernandes.

Rivers breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Rivers rushes Fernandes and presses him up against the cage.
Fernandes is trying to force a seperation but Rivers has the dominant position.
Fernandes tries to break free but Rivers pushes him back against the cage.

Rivers breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Fernandes clinches with his opponent.
Rivers is pressed up against the cage. Fernandes has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rivers down to the mat. Rivers avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Fernandes fails with a takedown attempt.
Rivers is looking to counter the offense by Fernandes and move into the clinch.
Fernandes is breathing heavily.

Fernandes has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernandes is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rivers pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rivers connects with a knee to the head.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Rivers is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Fernandes can do to turn this around?
Fernandes has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rivers avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Fernandes tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rivers smiles and moves away.
Rivers is looking to clinch but Fernandes is avoiding it.

Rivers pushes Fernandes up against the cage in a clinch.
Rivers stalls.
Fernandes fails to pull guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivers keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Fernandes's efforts to push away.
Rivers tries to land knees in the clinch but Fernandes avoids the damage to the body.
Fernandes is struggling to control the position.
Fernandes wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fernandes is trying to stall.
Fernandes jumps guard but Rivers turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wilmer Rivers dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Wilmer Rivers's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Rivers fails with the takedown.
Rivers wants to clinch up but Fernandes keeps it at a distance.
Fernandes looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rivers is fending him off so far but Fernandes persists. Nope, Rivers circles away and we're back to standing.

Fernandes has managed to clinch.
Fernandes jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Rivers walks away with a smile on his face. Fernandes gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Fernandes misses with a straight left.

Fernandes takes the fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rivers breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rivers looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Michaelson Fernandes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivers fails with an attempt to clinch.
Fernandes shoots in but no luck this time.
Wilmer Rivers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michaelson Fernandes.
Fernandes misses with a takedown attempt - Rivers sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Michaelson Fernandes seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fernandes takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rivers tries to clinch up but Fernandes circles away and keeps his distance.
Fernandes fails with the takedown.

Fernandes moves into range and clinches up with Rivers.

Rivers manages to break the clinch.

Rivers shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Rivers showed some decent athleticism there.
Rivers missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivers throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Rivers is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Fernandes sees it coming and defends easily.
Rivers thows a huge punch but Fernandes dodges it nicely.
Rivers thows a huge punch but Fernandes dodges it nicely.
Fernandes blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rivers.

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

Rivers decides to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivers gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Fernandes counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Fernandes.
Fernandes is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rivers gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A frustrated look appears on Rivers's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Fernandes tries to pull guard but Rivers won't allow it.

Rivers's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fernandes misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Fernandes moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fernandes has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Rivers after a bit of a struggle.
Rivers is trying to drag Fernandes to the mat but Fernandes just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Rivers prevents Fernandes from breaking the clinch.
Fernandes jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Rivers walks away with a smile on his face. Fernandes gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Rivers bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sloppy strikes there by Rivers.

Rivers stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Michaelson Fernandes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wilmer Rivers is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fernandes missing with a left hand there. Rivers was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wilmer Rivers showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rivers, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wilmer Rivers!