PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Joe River (ranked 2533 p4p, 291 weight class) and Chris Nilan (ranked 1949 p4p, 231 weight class). River's entrance music is Linkin Park - Papercut (Hybrid Theory). A fine choice. Nilan comes into a darkened arena with his song building. No Love kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

River
vs
Nilan

170 cm
34
160 lbs
19 - 2 - 0

168 cm
31
168 lbs
16 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Pit Bull Development
King Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joe River!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Chris Nilan!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Albert Achterberg and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Donk. River catches Nilan right on the button with a cross.
Nilan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from River.
Nilan takes a shot right to the bread basket.
River lands an overhand right.
Nilan misses with a body shot.
Nilan has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Nilan takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
River's corner calls for a 1-2. River obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Joe River seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
River throws a poor cross that misses
and Nilan counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Nilan lands a jab.
River looks to land a right hand but Nilan moved out of range.
It seemed like Nilan was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Nilan smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
River misses with a hook.
River lands a nice looking body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from River. Nilan does a little dance to reset his feet.
River misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nilan swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
River moves out of range as Nilan strikes.
River cracks Nilan with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Nilan throws a jab when River was well out of range.
It looked like River wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A slow jab from River misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nilan.
River defending well as Nilan loads up on a big left hand.
Nilan takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Nilan loads up on a big right hand but River slips the punch.
A quick step to the side and River tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nilan misses with a hook
and River counters with a one-two to the body.
River throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Nilan counters with a straight right hand.
Nilan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by River.
Nilan misses with a hook. River ducked under it nicely.
It looked like River wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
River throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Nilan misses with a straight right.
River scores with a jab.
The fighters circling - Nilan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nilan gets cracked with a nice right hand there by River.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nilan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nilan clobbers River with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
River throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big right from River misses.
River misses with a lunging right hand
and Nilan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nilan connects with a body shot.
Joe River is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
River swings for the body but Nilan moves out of range.
Nilan throws out a counter right but River avoids it with no problem.
River takes a shot to the body in his stride.
River throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
River scores with a leg kick.
Nilan tries for a takedown but River sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nilan lands with a right hand.
Nilan misses with a looping right.
Nilan throws a body punch but River moves out of range.
River misses with a right hand
and Nilan counters with a straight right hand.
River avoids the body shot from Nilan.
River misses with a wild body shot.
River darts in trying to clinch
and Nilan counters with a stiff right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nilan shoots and misses
and River counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

River has taken the fight to the clinch.
Nilan has had enough of the clinch but River keeps him there for the moment.
Nilan blocks an uppercut.
River tries to throw a body punch but Nilan avoids it by throwing River back against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Nilan lands a nice uppercut.
A hook to the body from River.
River throws a punch but it's blocked by Nilan.

Nilan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Good shot there by River.
River misses with a body shot
and Nilan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nilan lands a glancing blow to the side of River's head.
Nilan bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps River's head backwards.
Nilan lands a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
River throws a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River lands a nice shot to the body.
Nilan gets cracked there but stands up to it.
River misses with the combination.
Nilan lands a right hook to the body.
Nilan lands a jab to the head.
We've been told by River's head coaches at Rabid Dog that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
River throws out a powerful jab.
River is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
River looks to throw the jab but Nilan is out of range.
Despite the aggression on Nilan's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
River misses with a shot to the body
and Nilan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
River scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Nilan scores with a sloppy right hand. River should have avoided that one.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
River dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
River misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nilan.
Nice body punch from Nilan.
Nilan dips to his left and cracks River with an uppercut!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Joe River will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

River cracks a nice hook into Nilan's ribs.
Chris Nilan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nilan slips a jab and a cross from River.
Nilan with a jab.
Nilan missing with a left hand there. River was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
River thows a left - swing and a miss!
River misses the shot to the body.
River tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Nilan counters with a straight right hand.
River attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Nilan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nilan moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
River fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nilan manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
River is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nilan.
Nilan throws a lazy uppercut
and River counters with a lovely straight right hand!
River throws a right hand that misses
and Nilan counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Chris Nilan seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
River swings widly with a right hand
and Nilan makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Nilan staying out of range there.
Nilan throws out a counter right but River avoids it with no problem.
Nilan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from River.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nilan throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
River was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
A shot to the body from River misses
and Nilan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
River misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Nilan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
River attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Nilan uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
River stalks Nilan and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Nilan's face. Nilan staggers backwards, shaken.
River misses with a body shot.
River throws a body shot but no joy.
Nilan lands a lovely overhand right.
River steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nilan.
River throws a looping overhand right but Nilan ducks down to avoid it.
River looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
A big left from River misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nilan. River does a little dance to reset his feet.
River looks to throw the jab but Nilan is out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nilan throws a sloppy body shot
and River counters with a nice body shot.
River slips under a jab.
An attempted straight right counter from River misses the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nilan connects with the punch.
River misses with a hook. Nilan ducked under it nicely.
River throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
River throws a looping overhand right but Nilan ducks down to avoid it.
Nilan swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
River scores with a punch to the head.
Nilan is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Nilan throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
River avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
River misses with a lunging right hand
and Nilan counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps River thinking.
Nilan dives in and grabs River's left leg, looking for a takedown. River pushes down on Nilan's head and hops out.
River moves forwards but Nilan connects with a nice, crisp jab.
River throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A little jabbing left from Nilan on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Nilan throws a hook but River avoids it easily.
River with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
River comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nilan ducks under a wild hook from River.
River scores with a nice right hand.

River takes the fight into the clinch.

Nilan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A telegraphed right hand from Nilan misses the target.
Nilan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but River moves away.
River scores with a hook.
River throws an off balance right hand
and Nilan counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Nilan lands a head shot.
Nilan takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Nilan fails to land with a series of punches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nilan misses with an uppercut.
Nilan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by River.
River connects with a leg kick. Nilan looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
River uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nilan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nilan ducks under a wild hook from River.
River swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nilan misses with a body shot.
River ducks under a wild hook from Nilan.
River takes a shot right to the bread basket.
River fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nilan manages to avoid it.
River misses with a body shot.
Nilan looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
River slips a jab from Nilan.
River looks to score with a jab to the body but Nilan is just out of range.
River throws an overhand right that lands on Nilan's shoulder, as Nilan tries to avoid the shot.
River misses with a body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nilan jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Good standup being displayed there by River as he connects with a hook.
Nilan takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Nilan lands with an uppercut that bounces River off the cage and back into range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Chris Nilan will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! River's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

River on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nilan misses with a two punch combination.
Nilan tries to bum rush River with a series of wild strikes but River uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
River swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Nilan moves away from the strike by River.

River drives through and clinches with Nilan against the cage.
River throws a punch but it's blocked by Nilan.
River stalling against the cage.

Nilan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
River slips under a jab.
Nilan misses with a looping right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nilan throws an ugly left hook that misses
and River counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
River tries to clinch but Nilan moves away
and Nilan counters with a nice body shot.
Good standup being displayed there by River as he connects with a hook.
River lands a slapping body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
River swings for the body but Nilan moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
River lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by River.
Nilan fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Nilan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but River manages to avoid it.
River was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
River misses with a two punch combination.
River ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
River missing with a left hand there. Nilan was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nilan throws a body shot but no joy.
River slips under a jab from Nilan.

River forces Nilan back against the cage and clinches.
A left hand lands to the body for River.

Nilan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The fighters circling - River throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
River thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nilan waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract River.
River swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
This has been an exciting period of action!
River with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice jab there from River.
River looks to land a combination but Nilan avoids it well.
River takes a body punch but keeps moving.
River throws a big shot that misses.
River slips under a jab.
Nilan misses the shot to the body.
Nilan takes a shot to the body in his stride.
River with a body punch. A glancing blow.
River tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nilan swats him away and circles back towards the center.
As River backs off Nilan throws a huge counter combo but River manages to avoid it all.
River fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Nilan misses with a hook. River ducked under it nicely.
Nilan throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
River seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
A jab from River does it's job there.
River ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nilan moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River tries to bum rush Nilan with a series of wild strikes but Nilan uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
River connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Nilan closes the distance and clinches up with River, looking for a takedown. Nilan pushes River against the cage but River circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
River listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Nilan lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
River takes a swing at Nilan's ribcage but misses.
River throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from River. Nilan shrugs it off though.
River lands a nice hook to Nilan's body. Nilan takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Nilan dives in for a single leg takedown but River sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Nilan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nilan throws a hook but River avoids it easily.
Good exchange - River coming out on top.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
River connects with a looping right hand.
River ducks under a wild hook from Nilan.
River cracks Nilan with an open hand slap.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nilan lands a nice hook to River's body. River takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
River takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
River leaves Nilan with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
An attempted straight right counter from River misses the target.
Joe River has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Nilan.
River fails in his attempt to clinch.
As River backs off Nilan throws a huge counter combo but River manages to avoid it all.
A shot to the liver by River. Beautiful body shot.
River looks to land a combination but Nilan avoids it well.
Nilan throws a big shot that misses.
A left lands for River.
River scores with a jab. Nilan acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
River catches Nilan with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
River fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
River throws a jab but it's blocked by Nilan.
River's jab looks to have found its range, popping Nilan under the eye.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe River showed his dominance in that final round.
Well River has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 29:28
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe River!
Joe River thanked the fans post fight for their support.