PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Maxim Jericho (ranked 1514 p4p, 154 weight class) and Ruben Rivera (ranked 1275 p4p, 133 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.

Jericho
vs
Rivera

170 cm
28
147 lbs
14 - 5 - 1

157 cm
27
145 lbs
9 - 5 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Sin City Allstars

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Maxim Jericho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 2, fighting out of London, Ruben Rivera!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Frank Dennis and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rivera has managed to clinch.
Jericho lands an uppercut.
Jericho lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rivera backwards.
Rivera lands an elbow inside that Jericho shrugs off.
Rivera trying to land knees to the body.
Jericho throws a head punch that misses.
A right handed body shot lands from Jericho.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Jericho throws a head punch that misses.
Jericho misses with a punch to the body.
Rivera tries to land knees in the clinch but Jericho avoids the damage to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Jericho.
Rivera tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A bit of stalling here from Jericho.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Rivera.

Jericho breaks from the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rivera moves out of range of the body kick.
Rivera closes the distance looking to clinch
and Jericho counters with a right hand to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera misses with a kick to the body.
Jericho lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rivera's sensitive parts.
Jericho misses with a body kick.
Jericho backing away here, and Rivera unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Rivera throws a looping overhand right but Jericho ducks down to avoid it.

Jericho gets tackled into the cage by Rivera. Rivera maintains the clinch.
A short left from Jericho.
Jericho gets through Rivera's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Rivera unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Rivera looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Rivera lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Rivera using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Jericho has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Jericho blocking some punches.
Jericho lands with a left to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jericho avoids the elbow strike from Rivera, against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Rivera.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jericho lands with a light punch inside.
Rivera working aggressively here.
A left hand lands to the body for Jericho.
Knees to the body from Rivera.
I was talking to Jericho's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Jericho throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Riveras head.
Jericho scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rivera tries a knee to the head but Jericho blocks it.
Jericho lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Jericho blocks an elbow strike.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Rivera as Jericho tries to tie him up.
Rivera misses with a knee strike.
Rivera misses with some punches.
Rivera is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Jericho is defending well for now.
Jericho is stalling here.
Rivera tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for Rivera.
Rivera tries to land knees in the clinch but Jericho avoids the damage to the body.
Rivera lands a left hand that snaps the head of Jericho backwards.
Rivera with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Jericho lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Jericho has Rivera pressed against the cage.
Jericho is pushing Rivera up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Jericho slows down the pace here.
Rivera is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Jericho is defending well for now.
Rivera misses with an elbow strike.
Rivera misses with an elbow strike.
Rivera blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jericho slowing the pace effectively.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivera throws an elbow but it misses.
Rivera lands a right hand.

Jericho pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Jericho.
Rivera tries to move into range but Jericho moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Jericho scores with the left hand. Rivera knows he should have avoided that one.
Jericho scores with a leg kick.
Rivera shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Jericho eats them both and turns towards Rivera to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Sloppy strikes from Jericho. Those never looked like landing.
Jericho pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Jericho tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rivera was well out of range. Poor timing from Jericho.

Rivera closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Rivera tries to throw a body punch but Jericho avoids it by throwing Rivera back against the cage.
Jericho avoiding damage as Rivera throws knees to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rivera has Jericho pressed against the cage, preventing Jericho from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Rivera tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rivera throws an elbow but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ruben Rivera will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rivera on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Jericho scoring well with a low kick there.
Jericho changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Jericho dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Jericho getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Jericho looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Rivera throws a solid leg kick but Jericho takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Rivera.
Jericho delivers a nice body kick.
Jericho connects with a solid leg kick.

Jericho pushes Rivera up against the cage in a clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rivera.
Jericho avoids a wild elbow strike from Rivera.
Rivera throws an elbow but it's blocked.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Jericho misses with a punch on the inside.
Rivera swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rivera lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera tries to land knees in the clinch but Jericho avoids the damage to the body.
Jericho blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jericho avoids a wild elbow strike from Rivera.
Jericho blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Jericho tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rivera with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Jericho managing to block the knees to the body from Rivera.
Rivera throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Rivera working aggressively here.
The referee is keeping an eye on Jericho - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Jericho struggles to land a body shot inside as Rivera controls his hands.
Jericho on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rivera pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Jericho gets through Rivera's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Rivera missing with knees to the body.
Rivera tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rivera lands an elbow inside.
Jericho stalling the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivera lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Jericho backwards.
Rivera with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Jericho is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Rivera is keeping busy.
Jericho makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rivera misses with an elbow over the top.
Rivera lands with a short shot to the head.
Jericho blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rivera misses with a knee strike.
Rivera looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Rivera being controlled against the cage.
Rivera tries a knee to the head but Jericho blocks it.
Still in the clinch, Rivera scores with a nice short uppercut.
Jericho lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Rivera tries a knee to the head but Jericho blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for Rivera.
A short left from Jericho.
Jericho managing to block the knees to the body from Rivera.
Rivera throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Rivera tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Jericho avoids it.
Rivera looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Jericho avoids the elbow strike from Rivera, against the cage.
Rivera tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Jericho avoids it.
The referee is keeping an eye on Jericho - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Jericho misses with some punches.
Rivera throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Rivera looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Rivera throws an elbow that misses.
Rivera misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Jericho.
Rivera misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Jericho.
Jericho is trying to break free.
Rivera blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jericho avoiding damage.
Rivera working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rivera lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Rivera creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jericho is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Jericho has a couple of punches blocked by Rivera.
Jericho misses with a punch on the inside.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Jericho dodges an elbow strike from Rivera.
Rivera makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Rivera misses with an elbow strike.
Jericho content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Jericho works on Rivera's body with a couple of short punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ruben Rivera showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rivera on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Rivera wants to clinch up but Jericho keeps it at a distance.
Jericho throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Jericho lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Jericho throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Maxim Jericho is winning the standup battle so far.
Jericho throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rivera walks into a left hand.
Jericho walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Rivera checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Jericho throws a body shot but no joy.
Jericho cracks Rivera with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Jericho pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Jericho looks to score with a jab to the body but Rivera is just out of range.
Rivera tries to clinch there but Jericho circles away.
Rivera moves to clinch but Jericho breaks away
and Jericho counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jericho connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Jericho scores with a nice body kick.
Rivera rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Jericho counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Jericho takes the fight into the clinch.
Rivera looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Jericho lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rivera backwards.
Jericho blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Rivera tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Jericho avoids it.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Jericho.
Jericho is working Rivera over against the cage.
Rivera utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
A shot in the inside from Jericho.
Rivera trying to land knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jericho lands with a short head shot on the inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rivera is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Jericho is defending well for now.
Jericho can't find room to land a body shot as Rivera controls the action.
Rivera is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Jericho is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Jericho tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rivera misses with an elbow strike.
Jericho is working Rivera over against the cage.
Jericho is pushing Rivera up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Jericho manages to break the clinch.
Jericho lands a leg kick that knocks Rivera off balance momentarily.
Rivera takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Jericho scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Jericho fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Jericho is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rivera gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rivera lands a shoulder strike.
Jericho lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Rivera misses with a knee to the head.
Jericho misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rivera blocking some punches.
Rivera misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Jericho.
Ruben Rivera seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Rivera trying to land knees to the body.
Jericho avoiding damage as Rivera throws knees to the body.
Rivera throws a head punch that misses.
Rivera misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rivera tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Jericho has Rivera pressed against the cage.
Rivera tries to land knees in the clinch but Jericho avoids the damage to the body.
Jericho scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Jericho is working Rivera over against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivera is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
The referee calls for Jericho to work.
Rivera landing knees to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A head punch on the inside from Rivera fails to land.
Rivera scores a nice knee to the body.
Rivera's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Rivera misses with an elbow strike.
Jericho managing to block the knees to the body from Rivera.

Jericho escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A combination from Rivera does no damage.
Jericho defending well as Rivera loads up on a big left hand.
Rivera avoids a kick to the body.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A short right from Rivera on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maxim Jericho clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Rivera scores with a shoulder strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Rivera throws an elbow but misses.
Rivera blocks an uppercut.
Jericho blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Jericho blocks an elbow strike from Rivera.
Jericho avoids the elbow strike from Rivera, against the cage.
Rivera blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rivera working aggressively here.
Rivera misses with the head strike.
Jericho swings away with an uppercut that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jericho misses with a hook to the ribs.
Jericho slowing the pace effectively.
Rivera misses with an elbow over the top.
Jericho is pushing Rivera up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Jericho as Rivera tries to tie him up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rivera lands a damaging elbow.
Jericho goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nice body punch from Jericho.
Jericho scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Jericho blocks an elbow strike.
Rivera blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Jericho manages to break the clinch.
Jericho just misses with a punch to the body.
Jericho throws out a powerful jab.
Jericho tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rivera was well out of range. Poor timing from Jericho.
The fighters circling - Rivera throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Jericho lands a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jericho throws a body shot but no joy.
Jericho cracks a nice hook into Rivera's ribs.
Rivera tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Jericho manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nice body kick from Jericho.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Rivera takes one on the button.
Jericho scores with a jab to the head.
Rivera throws a leg kick
and Jericho cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Jericho scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Jericho thows a body kick. Rivera tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Jericho tries a head kick but it misses.
Jericho clobbers Rivera with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Rivera tries to clinch there but Jericho circles away.
Rivera on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Jericho tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rivera was well out of range. Poor timing from Jericho.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jericho lands with a nice body punch.
Rivera avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rivera throws a fast counter high kick but Jericho manages to duck under it in time.
Rivera throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Rivera tries to clinch up but Jericho circles away and keeps his distance.
Jericho throws a combination. Rivera tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Jericho attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Jericho dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Rivera clinches up against the cage.
Rivera is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Rivera misses with a punch to the body.
Rivera comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Jericho blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jericho takes an elbow to the forehead.
Rivera swings wildly with an uppercut but Jericho uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rivera tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nice body punch from Jericho.
Rivera landing knees to the body.
Jericho lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Jericho displaying some good clinch control by pressing Rivera up against the cage.
Rivera tries a body shot but Jericho blocks it.
Rivera misses with a body punch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Jericho.
Rivera misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Jericho lands with a short shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maxim Jericho had his way with Ruben Rivera in that round.
That's time! Jericho's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Rivera takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Jericho sets himself, and Rivera steps forward looking for the clinch! Jericho avoids it this time.
Jericho lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Rivera with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Jericho to score with a decent uppercut.
An inside leg kick from Rivera misses.
Jericho avoids the head kick by Rivera.
Jericho scores with a jab.
Rivera fails in his attempt to clinch.
Jericho appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Jericho looks to score with a jab to the body but Rivera is just out of range.
Jericho jabs Rivera right on the nose. Rivera blinks but takes it well.
Rivera has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jericho with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Jericho. Rivera shrugs it off though.
Jericho jabs at Rivera's body.
Jericho scores with a jab to the head.
Rivera has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Jericho.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jericho scores with a nice strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rivera closes the distance and clinches.
Rivera lands a good knee to the midsection. Jericho won't want to take too many of those.
Jericho takes an elbow to the forehead.
Rivera's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Jericho is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Rivera is keeping busy.
Rivera tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Jericho's elbow.
Rivera lands an elbow inside.
Rivera lands a nice elbow.
Jericho avoids a wild elbow strike from Rivera.
Rivera comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Rivera blocks an uppercut.
Jericho avoiding damage as Rivera throws knees to the body.
Jericho looking to slow down the pace here.
Rivera misses with a punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Jericho.
Rivera looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Jericho lands with a light punch inside.

Jericho breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rivera walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jericho connects with a nice looking jab.
Rivera takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Jericho pivots, looking for a leg kick but Rivera is out of range and Jericho settles back down.
Rivera uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jericho.

Rivera gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rivera throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Rivera tries to land a knee to the head but Jericho blocks with his arms.
Jericho swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Rivera tries to land knees in the clinch but Jericho avoids the damage to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivera tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rivera lands a knee to the head.
Rivera throws a knee to the head but misses.
Jericho taking a breather.
Rivera with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Nice elbow from Rivera.
Rivera lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Jericho lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A short right from Jericho.
Rivera lands a nice knee to the body.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Jericho takes an elbow to the temple.
Rivera tries to land knees in the clinch but Jericho avoids the damage to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rivera.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rivera misses with an elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jericho avoids a wild elbow strike from Rivera.
Jericho effectively controlling the action here.
Rivera throws a knee to the head but misses.
Rivera looking to slow down the pace here.
Jericho avoiding damage as Rivera throws knees to the body.
Jericho is stalling here.

Jericho breaks from the clinch.
Jericho swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Rivera.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Jericho. Rivera shrugs it off though.
Jericho pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Jericho blocks the body kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Maxim Jericho.
I think Jericho has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 49:47
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 48:48
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Maxim Jericho!
After winning the bout, Maxim Jericho thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.