PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ruben Rivera (ranked 3110 p4p, 283 weight class) and James Hetfield (ranked 3722 p4p, 319 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.

Rivera
vs
Hetfield

157 cm
29
145 lbs
9 - 8 - 3

170 cm
33
145 lbs
11 - 14 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 3, fighting out of London, Ruben Rivera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, James Hetfield!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Saam Ante and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hetfield blocks a leg kick.
Rivera avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Rivera thows a leg kick but Hetfield checks it
and Hetfield connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rivera throws a head kick that misses.
Rivera defending well as Hetfield loads up on a big left hand.
Rivera tries a head kick but it misses.
Rivera checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

Rivera gets caught napping as Hetfield dives in and scores a takedown. Rivera manages to retain guard.
Rivera is breathing heavily.
Hetfield seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Let's hope that Hetfield has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rivera working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hetfield.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hetfield working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rivera working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hetfield.
Rivera being controlled here, momentarily.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Hetfield wants to pass the guard but Rivera is keeping the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hetfield throws a push kick but Rivera slaps the foot to one side.
It looked like Rivera was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Rivera has been working on his boxing with his coaches at FIERCE - {{$750}} - 15 Elite Coaches in the buildup to the fight.
Rivera throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Hetfield fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Rivera throws a chopping leg kick but Hetfield manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hetfield misses with a low kick.
Rivera misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hetfield looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Hetfield looks to land a combination. Rivera sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Ruben Rivera seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A combination from Hetfield does no damage.
Rivera appears to be looking for a big counter.
Rivera tries to score with a low kick but Hetfield moves his leg out of the way.
Hetfield avoids the head kick by Rivera.
Hetfield is looking for the big counter here.

Hetfield fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Rivera to the ground. Hetfield is now in Rivera's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hetfield controls from within his opponent's guard.
Rivera on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Rivera tries to get out of the position.
Hetfield postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hetfield engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
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.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Hetfield.
It looks like Hetfield might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Hetfield cracks Rivera with a good jab.
Rivera throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Rivera tries to score with a low kick but Hetfield moves his leg out of the way.
Hetfield shoots in but no luck this time.
Hetfield has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Rivera.
Rivera tries to land a leg kick but Hetfield saw it coming and moves away.
Rivera throws a sloppy head kick and Hetfield moves out of range easily.
Rivera needs to keep his hands up - Hetfield had a free shot at his head there.
Hetfield misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hetfield rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rivera moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hetfield fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hetfield blocks a low kick nicely.
A telegraphed right hand from Hetfield misses the target.
Rivera checks the leg kick nicely there.
Rivera throws a leg kick but Hetfield moved away.
A nice leg kick lands there from Rivera.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A head kick by Rivera misses
and Hetfield counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Hetfield throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Rivera throws a head kick that misses.
And Hetfield tries to counter it with a takedown but Rivera pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Hetfield takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A bone on bone clash there as Rivera blocks the leg kick.
Hetfield tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Rivera is able to avoid easily.
A combination from Hetfield does no damage.
Hetfield fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rivera half committed to a counter leg kick.
Hetfield has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Hetfield drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hetfield controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hetfield throws a big elbow that misses.
Hetfield sitting in guard, not really doing much.
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.
Hetfield won't allow Rivera to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Hetfield sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Hetfield checks the leg kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Hetfield! But no joy.
Rivera misses with a low kick.
Hetfield tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Rivera defends well and Hetfield ends up having to push Rivera into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Rivera moves out of range of the strikes.
Hetfield throws a solid leg kick but Rivera takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Hetfield.
Hetfield throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rivera throws a sloppy head kick and Hetfield moves out of range easily.
Hetfield only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Hetfield stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rivera.
Rivera throws a sloppy head kick and Hetfield moves out of range easily.
Hetfield moves into range and connects with a jab.
A low kick from Rivera is predictable there
and Hetfield counters with a straight right hand.
Rivera takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Hetfield scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Ruben Rivera is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rivera takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Hetfield checks a leg kick.
Ruben Rivera is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rivera tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivera moves forwards but Hetfield connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Rivera is rocked!
Rivera walks straight into a right hand from Hetfield - that's dropped him! Hetfield jumps into mount and starts pounding away - can he finish?! More strikes go undefended and the referee has to dive in to save Rivera from any more punishment! Rivera complains about the stoppage but falls over as he tries to stand back up, so it was clearly a good stoppage.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:11 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). James Hetfield!
An out of breath James Hetfield thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.