PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ben Wallace (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Midnight Rider (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Wallace
vs
Rider

188 cm
24
212 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
214 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Tends to cut

Vikai Gear

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ben Wallace!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Midnight Rider!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Colin Fray and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rider tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Wallace manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Wallace was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Wallace uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Rider has time to react.

It looks like Midnight Rider has been cut.
Wallace swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rider wants to counter the offense by Wallace and move into the clinch position.
Rider tries to close the distance and clinch up but Wallace swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rider ducks under a wild hook from Wallace.
Rider tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Wallace manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Wallace has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Rider ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Rider no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Our spies down at at 10th Planet Tycoon inform us that Rider has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Wallace has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Rider looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Wallace is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rider looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Rider looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Wallace sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wallace got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rider has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Wallace has managed to get both his arms back between Rider's legs - danger averted.

Rider looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Rider working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Wallace doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Wallace manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Rider looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Wallace has picked Rider up and slammed him! Rider can't keep hold of the triangle and Wallace manages to pass to side control!
Rider is trying to improve his position.
Rider looks winded!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wallace staying calm.

Wallace decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Rider displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Wallace throws out the jab.
Rider keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Wallace throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Rider counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rider.
Rider is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Wallace to keep the fight standing.
Rider tries to pull guard but Wallace won't allow it.
A frustrated look appears on Wallace's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Rider pulls Wallace into guard.

Rider looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Wallace passes into half guard.
Wallace wants to free his trapped foot but Rider is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Wallace knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rider on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rider is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Wallace pulls his head out easily.
Wallace controlling the action here.

Rider looking for submissions off his back.
Wallace wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wallace sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Rider looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Rider has hold of a guillotine but he's not going to be able to crank on it really with only half guard, so it's no trouble for Wallace. Oh but Rider has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! Wallace goes limp - he's gone! Rider jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:42 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Midnight Rider!