PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kaz McStafferson (ranked 1223 p4p, 809 weight class) and Patrick River (ranked 177 p4p, 121 weight class). River has chosen Pantera - Walk as his entrance music. Patrick River acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

McStafferson
vs
River

150 cm
38
190
22 - 24 - 0

188 cm
26
186
8 - 4 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Vegan Gains
Voodoo Nutrition

Conviction
Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 24 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kaz McStafferson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Patrick River!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Andrew Berry and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McStafferson shoots in and bounces River off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
McStafferson trying to control the position from guard on top but River is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

River is looking for a triangle but McStafferson pushes his legs off easily.
McStafferson pushing down on River's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

McStafferson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

McStafferson wants to work for an arm triangle but River is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

River actively working from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

McStafferson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but River sees it coming and defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

McStafferson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. River doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time McStafferson.

McStafferson is looking for a kimura but River is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for McStafferson to get the leverage.
McStafferson trying to mount his opponent but River defends it.

McStafferson seems to be looking for submissions.

McStafferson is looking for a kimura but River is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for McStafferson to get the leverage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

River is defending against the submission attempts here by McStafferson.
River wants to improve his position but McStafferson is controlling well.

River actively working from the bottom here.

McStafferson trying to work for an americana but River has managed to regain full guard.

River has his foot on McStafferson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. McStafferson works his way back into a safe position though.
McStafferson slips nicely into half guard.

McStafferson wants to work for an arm triangle but River is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McStafferson is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but River still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, River has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
River creates some space and throws a big elbow, but McStafferson sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
River throws an elbow but McStafferson slips to the side and avoids it well.
McStafferson tries to control the position but he's not in luck - River easily slips into full mount!

River is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But McStafferson has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from McStafferson!

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River scoring with punches to the head and body.

McStafferson has his foot on River's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. River works his way back into a safe position though.
River keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of McStafferson's head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
River trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
McStafferson trying to control the position.
River looking to pass the guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kaz McStafferson will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

River uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McStafferson.
River connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed McStafferson momentarily.
McStafferson fails to land the takedown.
Nice sprawl there from River as McStafferson shoots in.
River throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
McStafferson misses with a takedown
and River counters with a stiff right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kaz McStafferson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
River just misses with a punch to the body.
A good leg kick by River.
McStafferson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before River can pounce on him.
McStafferson fails with the takedown
and River connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
McStafferson checks a low kick from River.
River with a hook.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

McStafferson shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
River makes his way to full guard. A much better position for River.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McStafferson stands and throws River's legs to the side, diving into side control.
McStafferson wants to lay and pray for a moment but River keeps working.
River is looking to reverse the position.

McStafferson is trying to get an arm triangle but River is defending well.

McStafferson tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no McStafferson has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
River is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on McStafferson's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McStafferson works his foot free and advances to mount.
River is in all sorts of trouble here.
McStafferson fails to advance to River's back.

McStafferson with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

McStafferson has control of River's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and River regains control of the situation pretty easily.
McStafferson fails to move to back control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McStafferson scores with a couple of good head shots there.

It looks like Patrick River has been cut.

McStafferson looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
River tries to get back to half guard but can't.

McStafferson working for a guillotine from mount but River is in no mood to give up.
McStafferson looking to finish with strikes here!
River is looking to improve his position but McStafferson isn't that keen on the idea.
River keeps trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McStafferson goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now River is on top in guard.
River slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
McStafferson sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

McStafferson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

River is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, McStafferson has managed to free his arm - good work.
River seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Patrick River will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Patrick River's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

McStafferson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from River. McStafferson shrugs it off though.
McStafferson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
River is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
McStafferson shoots in but no luck this time.
McStafferson has his takedown stuffed
and River counters with a right hand to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kaz McStafferson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McStafferson darts in looking for a takedown but River gets double underhooks and turns McStafferson into the cage.

River's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
McStafferson misses with a double jab
enabling River to counter with a crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McStafferson fails with a takedown attempt.
River looks like he wants to counter punch here.
McStafferson shoots in but no luck this time.
River was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.

McStafferson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - McStafferson lands in his opponent's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
River looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McStafferson drops back, looking for a kneebar! River looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. River looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from River!

River landing a few strikes.
McStafferson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
River wants to lay and pray for a moment but McStafferson keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McStafferson taking a bit of punishment here - River scoring with strikes.
McStafferson is trying to get back to half guard.
McStafferson manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
River moves into full guard.
River preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
McStafferson passes River's left leg - he's now in half guard.
River makes his way to full guard. A much better position for River.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McStafferson is looking to reverse the position.
River scores with punches from side control.
McStafferson is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

River is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

River is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

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.

River seems to be looking for submissions.
River throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
McStafferson wants to improve his position but River is controlling well.
River trying to control from half guard but McStafferson is working away.
Kaz McStafferson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McStafferson slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Patrick River comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think River has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Patrick River!
A victorious Patrick River thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.