PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hector Rivera (ranked 4802 p4p, 0 weight class) and Donovan Burch (ranked 4575 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Rivera
vs
Burch

188 cm
21
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
22
134 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hector Rivera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Donovan Burch!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Daniel Franklin and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Burch closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Rivera's guard.
Burch is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Rivera will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Burch is working Rivera over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Burch trying to control but Rivera is working from the bottom.
Burch tries to free his leg and advance position but Rivera is retaining full guard.
Burch passes Rivera's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Burch has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rivera on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Burch is trying to control. Rivera wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Burch throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Rivera to regain full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rivera not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Burch engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Burch with a nice head shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rivera escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Burch gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Burch drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Rivera manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Burch has Rivera in his guard.

Burch seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Burch is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Rivera really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Burch utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rivera throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Burch works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Burch pulls Rivera in to control the position.
Rivera throwing strikes from guard but Burch blocks nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Burch wants to sweep here but Rivera controlling him for the moment.
Rivera trying to control the position from guard on top but Burch is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Burch looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Burch manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rivera manages to get himself to full guard.

Rivera looking to hit a scissor sweep but Burch is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burch is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Burch works over Rivera with some ground and pound from guard.
Burch connects with a couple of short punches.
Burch with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Rivera is rocked!
Burch passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Burch working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Burch is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Rivera is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Burch is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Rivera is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
The ground and pound from Burch seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Donovan Burch dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rivera is defended easily by Burch.

Burch shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Burch showed some decent athleticism there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rivera is looking for a sweep. Burch is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burch scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Burch looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Burch has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Burch stops Rivera from getting back to his feet.
Burch working the head and body with strikes.

Burch is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rivera is just riding it out for now. Burch eventually gives up the hold.
Rivera is in trouble now - Burch has advanced to mount!
Burch is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Rivera can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Oh Rivera is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burch lands a big shot there that rocks Rivera but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

Rivera defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Burch.
Burch unloads with some vicious shots from mount and Rivera wants out - he looks towards the referee who steps in to save him! Burch celebrates on the cage and the crowd goes wild!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:26 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Donovan Burch!