PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Matsuo Azuma (ranked 8823 p4p, 381 weight class) and Myles Rider (ranked 3203 p4p, 156 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Azuma
vs
Rider

176 cm
22
142 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

170 cm
25
145 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Matsuo Azuma!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Myles Rider !
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, David Hoff and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rider has Azuma up against the cage in a clinch.

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

Rider gets a clinch.
Rider wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rider is trying to push Azuma away but Azuma has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Rider lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Azuma backwards.
Rider is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Azuma pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Rider closes the distance and pushes Azuma back into the cage.
We've been hearing reports that Azuma has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Azuma trying to control the position but instead, Rider has worked for underhooks and has pushed Azuma into the cage.
Rider lands a shoulder strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rider throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Azumas head.
Rider taking a breather.
Rider wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rider lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Rider breaks the clinch.
Azuma fails with the takedown.

Rider clinches with his opponent.
Rider prevents a takedown attempt there.
Azuma tries to pull guard but Rider forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matsuo Azuma. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A short left from Rider .
Azuma is trying to maintain a safe position but Rider gets an underhook and turns Azuma into the cage.

Rider escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Rider clinches up against the cage.
Rider lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Azuma backwards.
Rider wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Azuma has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rider lands with a right to the head.
Rider has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rider scores with a shot to the side of Azuma's head.
Azuma jumps guard but Rider stands there with Azuma around his waist. Azuma gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rider scores with a nice hook to the head.
Azuma tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rider smiles and moves away.

Rider moves into the clinch.
Azuma will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Rider up against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Rider .
Rider lands a left hand that snaps the head of Azuma backwards.

Rider manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rider rushes Azuma and presses him up against the cage.
A short right from Rider on the inside.
Azuma fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Rider content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Rider lands with a left to the head.

Azuma manages to break the clinch.
Rider has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Azuma tries to bum rush Rider with a series of wild strikes but Rider uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A little jabbing left from Rider on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A combination from Azuma does no damage.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Rider , as that shot connected.
Rider scores with a nice head shot.

Azuma is rocked!

Rider takes the fight into the clinch.
Oh Azuma is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Azuma jumps guard but Rider stands there with Azuma around his waist. Azuma gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Azuma seems to have got his legs back now.
Rider lands a right hand that snaps the head of Azuma backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rider has had enough of the clinch but Azuma keeps him there for the moment.
Rider looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Azuma has Rider pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Azuma pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Rider tumbling to the mat - Azuma dives into Rider 's 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.
Rider has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Azuma has passed into side control.
Rider tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Azuma stands up and beckons Rider to his feet.

Rider gets in close and instigates a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Myles Rider dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rider circles away from the clinch attempt
and Rider counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Rider closes the distance and clinches.
Rider lands with a light punch inside.
Azuma fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Azuma can't get the takedown.
Rider stalling.
Azuma goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rider prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matsuo Azuma. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rider throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Azumas head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice left hand lands by Rider .

Azuma jumps guard.
Rider looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Azuma tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rider showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Rider is continuing to stall.
Rider with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rider stays in close to Azuma's body and controls the position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Rider stopping the sweep attempt from Azuma.

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

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.
Azuma has his takedown stuffed

and Rider counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Rider stalls.

Rider pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Myles Rider is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rider throws a series of punches but Azuma moves out of range.
Matsuo Azuma seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Rider clinches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Rider creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Rider lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rider scores with a nice hook to the head.
Azuma tries to pull guard but Rider forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Azuma has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rider avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Myles Rider seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Rider .
A nice left hand lands by Rider .
Rider tries to break the clinch but Azuma is controlling the position.
Rider is trying to break free.
Rider pushes Azuma back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rider controlling the action here for a moment.
Rider lands a big right hand that drops Azuma! The killer instinct kicks in and Rider finishes his opponent with a series of strikes from mount. A dominating finish by Rider !

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:32 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Myles Rider !