PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Aurelio Rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Cash (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnny Cash has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Aurelio Rivera's chin.

Rivera
vs
Cash

172 cm
19
177 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
20
175 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Aurelio Rivera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Johnny Cash!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cash closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Rivera quickly recovers to half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Cash seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rivera does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Cash is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Rivera is doing well to control the position and prevent Cash from advancing to side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rivera's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cash throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Rivera keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Rivera might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cash is trying to control. Rivera wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Rivera looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Cash is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Rivera sees it coming and defends easily.

Cash is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Rivera is doing well to control the position and prevent Cash from advancing to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Cash trying to control the action but Rivera is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rivera flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

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

Cash is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Rivera's half guard.
Cash looks winded!
Rivera desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivera could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Further stalling from Rivera.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Cash throws a wild body kick that Rivera sees coming a mile off.

Rivera rushes Cash and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Rivera has Cash pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Rivera pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Cash tumbling to the mat - Rivera dives into Cash's guard.
Rivera cracks Cash with a solid left hand.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rivera working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Cash's head.
Cash working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rivera.
Rivera keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Cash's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cash looking to score a takedown here. Rivera is defending well but Cash drives through and ends up in Rivera's guard.
Rivera is adopting a defensive guard.
Rivera has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

Rivera working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Cash has passed into half guard!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rivera tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Cash has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Rivera manages to control the position for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cash tries to control but Rivera wriggling away.
Cash tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Rivera is looking to improve his position but Cash isn't that keen on the idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Cash has hold of Rivera's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Rivera manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Cash has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Rivera's face.
Johnny Cash has got the better of the ground game so far.
Cash with a couple of short strikes.
Cash has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cash tries to control but Rivera wriggling away.
Cash is breathing heavily.
Rivera tries to hold on but Cash pushes him away.
Rivera sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivera controlling the position for now.
Rivera wants to control but Cash passes into side.
Rivera controls the position for a moment.
You can see the frustration on Rivera's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Cash advances nicely into full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rivera is squirming around, avoiding Cash's attempts to control the action.
Cash lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Rivera keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Rivera tries to lock up and control but Cash gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Cash 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! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Rivera clinches up with Cash and pushes him back against the cage.
Rivera has Cash pressed against the cage.
Rivera lands an elbow inside.
Rivera manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Cash manages to pull guard.
Cash throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cash is trying to control the position but Rivera postures up.
Rivera works over Cash with some ground and pound from guard.
Cash trying to control the position.
Cash wants to sweep here but Rivera controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Cash takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Rivera stands up from Cash's guard - Rivera perhaps looking for a knockout.
Cash is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Rivera.

Cash shoots in and bounces Rivera off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Rivera pulls Cash in to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cash wants to stand but Rivera has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Rivera has his foot on Cash's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cash works his way back into a safe position though.
Rivera looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
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.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Rivera holds on and takes a little breather.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cash wants to control from the top but Rivera keeps moving.

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

A momentary lapse in concentration from Rivera enables Cash to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Rivera manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Rivera managing to control the position.

Rivera is looking for a triangle but Cash pushes his legs off easily.
Rivera trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cash passes into half guard.
Cash throwing shots but Rivera is blocking nicely.

Rivera looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Cash trying to control the action but Rivera is working from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rivera is holding on to half guard well.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Johnny Cash.
I've got Cash winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johnny Cash!