PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Paul Irvin (ranked 1616 p4p, 193 weight class) and Joseph Rio (ranked 2588 p4p, 280 weight class). Joseph Rio looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Irvin
vs
Rio

184 cm
28
177 lbs
13 - 9 - 0

180 cm
25
175 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Sin City Allstars

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Paul Irvin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joseph Rio!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Andrew Berry and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rio looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Irvin is fending him off so far but Rio persists. Nope, Irvin circles away and we're back to standing.

Irvin shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Irvin showed some decent athleticism there.
Rio trying to control from the bottom.
Well, if Irvin is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Irvin passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Rio!
Irvin wants to control the pace but Rio is squirming around nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Irvin jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Rio is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Rio and Irvin has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rio prevents Irvin from improving position.
Rio looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Irvin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rio keeps working.
Rio prevents Irvin from moving into mount.
Rio is trying to get back to half guard.
Rio is not content to let Irvin control the position.

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.

Irvin tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Rio is not content to let Irvin control the position.
Rio is looking to reverse the position.
Irvin is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Irvin tries to advance to mount but Rio denies him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Irvin taking a breather here.
Irvin advances to full mount.
Irvin works his way to his opponent's back.

Rio is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Rio trying to control the hands but Irvin breaks the grip.
Irvin misses with punches from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rio defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Irvin tightening his grip on Rio, looking for the choke.
Rio is trying to break free.
Irvin seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Rio rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Irvin is pressing down on Rio's thigh, looking to free his foot. Rio is holding on for now.
Rio wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Irvin shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Rio wants to control but Irvin is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Irvin trying to pass the guard but Rio defending well.
Irvin has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Irvin with shots to the head and body - Rio looks very uncomfortable down there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Irvin lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Rio is desperately trying to improve his position but Irvin has a good base and remains in mount.
Irvin trying to control but Rio is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Irvin with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Rio taking shots to the head.

It looks like Joseph Rio has been cut.
Rio is breathing heavily.
Irvin looking to control but Rio is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Rio has given up his back. Will we see Irvin going for some submissions?

Irvin has got his arm under Rio's chin working for the choke… has he got it? It looks pretty tight! Oh! Rio has spun round into Irvin's guard beautifully! Well done that man!
Irvin keeping full guard, as Rio tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Irvin looking for a guillotine here but Rio defends easily.

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

Irvin is looking for a triangle but Rio pushes his legs off easily.
Irvin keeping full guard, as Rio tries to pass.

Irvin is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rio is aware though and is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Irvin is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rio defends well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Irvin looking for a guillotine here but Rio defends easily.

Irvin had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rio defends it easily.
Irvin keeping moving, preventing Rio from controlling successfully.

Irvin has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rio can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Rio wants to control from the top but Irvin keeps moving.

Irvin has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Rio is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Irvin.
Irvin gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Rio is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Irvin defends it well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Irvin looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Irvin dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Joseph Rio's cut.
That's time! Irvin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Irvin shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Irvin with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Irvin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rio can do to turn this around?
Irvin tries to pass to full mount but Rio defends it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Irvin is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Irvin uses his free foot to push down on Rio's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Rio.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Irvin working the ground and pound effectively.

Irvin stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.

Irvin shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Rio manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Irvin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Irvin postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Irvin sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Rio's guard.
Rio moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Irvin lands a couple of elbows.
Irvin passes Rio's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Irvin wants to pass to mount but Rio is defending the position.
Irvin passes the guard and advances to mount!

Irvin swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Rio is now in Irvin's guard. A big mistake from Irvin there, giving up the dominant position!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rio looking to pass the guard.

Irvin looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Rio passes into side control.
Irvin tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rio working away.
Irvin is not content to let Rio control the position.
Irvin is trying to get back to half guard.

That's four 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.
Rio wants to lay and pray for a moment but Irvin keeps working.
Irvin is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Rio's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Irvin looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Irvin looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Irvin manages to get to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Irvin clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Joseph Rio's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Irvin fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Rio sprawls well initially but Irvin persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Rio is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Irvin's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Irvin's back!

Irvin has hold of Rio's leg, trying to break free but it's let Rio lock up a rear naked choke! This could be big trouble! Irvin is turning an unusual color here… he's out! Rio throws him to one side and jumps onto the cage to celebrate with his fans.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:40 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Joseph Rio!