PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Riverson (ranked 3240 p4p, 125 weight class) and Takashi Harada (ranked 21145 p4p, 245 weight class). Riverson comes to the cage accompanied by J.Ralph - Kansas City Shuffle. Harada is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by M83 'Midnight City'. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Riverson
vs
Harada

225 cm
32
300 lbs
10 - 15 - 0

188 cm
23
322 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
IniTech Nutrition

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 10 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John Riverson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Takashi Harada!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Roosa Järviläinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Riverson closes the distance and clinches up with Harada, looking for a takedown. Riverson pushes Harada against the cage but Harada circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Harada misses with the combination.
Riverson throws a counter high kick but Harada was just alert enough to avoid it.

Riverson scores with a takedown into Harada's guard.

Riverson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Riverson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Riverson is pushing down on Harada's leg trying to pass to half guard. Harada is fighting to maintain full guard but Riverson has managed to sneak the leg through.

Riverson seems to be looking for submissions.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Harada can do anything to dispel that myth.

Riverson looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harada wants to get back to his feet.
Riverson prevents Harada from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Riverson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Harada is just riding it out for now. Riverson eventually gives up the hold.
Harada is trying to stand.
Riverson prevents Harada from improving his position.

Riverson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Harada is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riverson prevents Harada from improving his position.

Riverson seems to be working for a kimura but Harada defends the submission attempt.

Riverson seems to be working for a kimura but Harada defends the submission attempt.
Harada is looking to escape.

Riverson in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Harada tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Riverson!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). John Riverson!
A relieved looking John Riverson thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.