PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zeke Rivers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Truman Goverdeen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rivers comes to the cage accompanied by Suffa by Hed Pe. Truman Goverdeen has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rivers
vs
Goverdeen

191 cm
26
255 lbs
4 - 7 - 0

195 cm
25
235 lbs
2 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Dauntless

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Zeke Rivers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Truman Goverdeen!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rivers scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Goverdeen wants to improve his position but Rivers is controlling well.
Rivers wants to stand up but Goverdeen has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Goverdeen tries to roll over but Rivers keeps him under control.
Goverdeen trying to control but Rivers postures up.
Rivers definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Goverdeen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Goverdeen trying to hold on to Rivers's head to control him but Rivers postures up.
Goverdeen is doing well to control the position and prevent Rivers from advancing to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Goverdeen actively working from the bottom here.
Rivers wants to take a breather but Goverdeen is having none of it.
Goverdeen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rivers is working away from the top position though.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Rivers thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Goverdeen's head.
Rivers seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Goverdeen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rivers moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Truman Goverdeen has been cut.
Goverdeen shoots for a takedown but Rivers saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Goverdeen as Rivers shoots in.

Rivers drives through and clinches with Goverdeen against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Goverdeen blocks an elbow strike.
Rivers taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Goverdeen wants to break free but Rivers has control.

Goverdeen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rivers has his takedown stuffed

and Goverdeen counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Rivers!

Rivers throws Goverdeen to one side and escapes!
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!

Rivers shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Goverdeen is trying to defend but Rivers finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Goverdeen looking for submissions off his back.
Goverdeen wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Goverdeen blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rivers.
Rivers seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Goverdeen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Goverdeen regains full guard. Nicely done.
Goverdeen has a closed guard, preventing Rivers from standing up.

Goverdeen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Rivers gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

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.
Goverdeen leaves Rivers with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zeke Rivers. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rivers lands with a nice combination. Goverdeen backs away looking to recover.
Sloppy strikes from Rivers. Those never looked like landing.
Rivers circles away from the clinch attempt.

Goverdeen takes the fight into the clinch.

Goverdeen drags the fight down to the ground.
Goverdeen pulls Rivers in to control the position.
Rivers wants to control from the top but Goverdeen keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zeke Rivers dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Truman Goverdeen'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.

Goverdeen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rivers.

Goverdeen throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Rivers was covering up waiting for the punch and Goverdeen finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Rivers working for a triangle but Goverdeen defends it easily.
Rivers keeping moving, preventing Goverdeen from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Goverdeen drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Rivers dives on top into guard.

Rivers has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Rivers is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Goverdeen has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Rivers is looking to defend but Goverdeen has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Rivers! Goverdeen pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Rivers taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:42 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Truman Goverdeen!