PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hector Rivera (ranked 24791 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeremy Stephens (ranked 4837 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Rivera
vs
Stephens

188 cm
22
140 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

175 cm
24
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Likes musicals

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 1 - 4 - 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, Jeremy Stephens!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Daniel Franklin and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Rivera tries for a takedown. No joy.
Rivera drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Stephens gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Stephens is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Rivera can't fight it off and eventually Stephens manages to take the fight to the floor. Rivera looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Stephens engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Stephens is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Stephens 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephens stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rivera swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rivera wants to stand but Stephens is controlling the position.
Rivera trying to keep a closed guard but Stephens is proving a slippery customer.

Stephens stands and steps away. Rivera gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

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.

Stephens takes the fight into the clinch.
Rivera pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Stephens has Rivera pushed against the cage.
Rivera wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hector Rivera. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stephens gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rivera.

Stephens breaks from the clinch.

Stephens shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Rivera pushes Stephens off and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stephens closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Rivera to the mat! Rivera manages to get full guard.

Rivera pushes Stephens off and gets back to his feet.

Stephens drives through with a takedown into guard.
Stephens 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.
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!
Stephens's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stephens stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Stephens just misses with a punch to the body.
Rivera throws a quick counter kick to the body but Stephens avoids it.

Stephens gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Stephens pulls guard.
Stephens looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rivera trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Stephens controlling Rivera's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeremy Stephens dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rivera tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Stephens defends well and Rivera ends up having to push Stephens into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Nice cross by Stephens.
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.

Stephens drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Stephens trying to control but Rivera is working from the bottom.
Stephens has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Stephens stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rivera swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Stephens controlling from the top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rivera keeping full guard, as Stephens tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephens wants to control from the top but Rivera keeps moving.
Stephens controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Rivera not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Stephens shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Rivera's guard.
Stephens postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Stephens is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stephens trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rivera wants to sweep but no luck.
Stephens throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rivera works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rivera looking to control but Stephens passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rivera is defending against the submission attempts here by Stephens.
Stephens sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Stephens thows a huge punch but Rivera dodges it nicely.
Stephens content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

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.
Stephens goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Stephens throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Rivera was covering up waiting for the punch and Stephens finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Rivera manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Stephens feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Rivera is looking for a triangle but Stephens pushes his legs off easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stephens forces his way into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeremy Stephens showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Rivera shoots for a takedown but Stephens saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Rivera blocks a leg kick.
Rivera throws a counter high kick but Stephens was just alert enough to avoid it.

Stephens closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Rivera blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stephens.
Rivera tries to roll over but Stephens keeps him under control.
Rivera avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Stephens.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rivera is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Stephens's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Stephens's back!
I really don't envy Stephens right now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera gets his hands free as Stephens looks to control.
Rivera throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Stephens trying to control the hands but Rivera breaks the grip.
Rivera will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Rivera is looking to control Stephens but Stephens is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Stephens tries to break free.

Stephens defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Stephens preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Rivera.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivera missing with strikes from the back.
Stephens holding on to Rivera's left wrist, preventing the choke.
Stephens is continuing to stall.
Stephens looking very determined here, making life difficult for Rivera.
Stephens tries to break free.
Stephens wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivera lands a shot to the body.
Stephens can't escape the position.
Rivera misses with punches from the back.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Rivera controlling the positon.
Stephens just looking to survive in the bad position.
Rivera doesn't have the hooks in and Stephens manages to turn into his guard.
Stephens showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stephens throwing strikes from guard but Rivera blocks nicely.
Stephens is looking to work some ground and pound but Rivera has wrist control.
Stephens pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rivera is keeping the position for now.
Stephens wants to control from the top but Rivera keeps moving.
Hector Rivera has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jeremy Stephens is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Stephens gets to his feet - Rivera follows without any prompting.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hector Rivera showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Stephens has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jeremy Stephens!