PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Justin Orr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James River (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James River is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Orr
vs
River

202 cm
18
278 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

225 cm
25
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Justin Orr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, James River!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Chad Campbell and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

River shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Orr manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
River is stalling in the full guard.
Orr working a defensive guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
River pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Orr is keeping the position for now.
Orr keeping moving, preventing River from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Orr controlling River's posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

River closes the distance and pushes Orr back into the cage.

Orr breaks from the clinch.
River throws a sloppy head kick

and Orr counters with a nice double leg into guard.

River scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Orr blocks a head kick by River.
Orr appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

Orr gets caught napping as River dives in and scores a takedown. Orr manages to retain guard.

Orr is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. River presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Orr tried to land a shot to the body but connects with River's elbow.
River misses with a knee strike.
Orr is looking for a takedown up against the cage. River gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Orr tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. River smiles and moves away.

River closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Orr's shoulder. That is not cool.

River stands up and we're back to a striking position.

River drives through with a takedown into Orr's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
River throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Orr works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
River is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
River trying to control the position from guard on top but Orr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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.
Orr not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Orr wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Orr might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Orr being controlled here, momentarily.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

River closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James River dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

River dives in and scores a takedown into Orr's guard.
Orr is wriggling around but River manages to pass to half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with River in particular looking to stall.
River missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
River tries to stand and escape but Orr is controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
River sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Orr wants to improve his position but River is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River trying to control the pace.
Orr avoiding damage under a succession of punches from River.
Orr wants to get back to full guard but River has passed into side control.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for River. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
River wants to control but Orr is keeping him busy.

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

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.

River is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Orr knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

River shoots in and gets a takedown into Orr's guard.
River has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
River trying to stand up but can't free himself from Orr's guard.
River not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
River showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Orr pulls River in close to his closed guard and prevents River from doing any damage or advancing position.
River missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four 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.
River slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
River trying to control but Orr is working from the bottom.

River decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

River closes the distance and clinches.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

River pulls Orr into guard.
Orr throws a strike but River rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as River accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James River showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Orr gets caught napping as River dives in and scores a takedown. Orr manages to retain guard.
River is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
River trying to control the position from guard on top but Orr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Orr can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as River controls the pace.
Orr keeping moving, preventing River from controlling successfully.
River throwing strikes but missing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
River showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
James River has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River stands and throws Orr's legs to the side, diving into side control.
River working the ground and pound but Orr is defending the strikes.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

River drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

River is trying to get an arm triangle but Orr is defending well.
Orr wants to control but River postures up.

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.
River content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Orr is not content to let River control the position.
River working away.
Orr manages to get back to half guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with River in particular looking to stall.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
River finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
James River seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

River closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Orr is trying to get back to half guard.
River wants to control but Orr is keeping him busy.
What's Orr going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
River in side control, just content to control the action 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.
River has control of an arm but Orr manages to advance to River's back!
Justin Orr has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
James River is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Orr keeps control of the position as River tries to break free.

And that's the end of the fight!
James River comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well River has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 25:30
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 25:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James River!