PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dennis Rader (ranked 1222 p4p, 1029 weight class) and William Riker (ranked 135 p4p, 117 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.

Rader
vs
Riker

225 cm
24
265
11 - 5 - 0

190 cm
23
265
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dennis Rader!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, William Riker!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Donatello Bradman and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rader gets caught flat footed, as Riker shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Rader wants to stand but Riker is controlling the position.
Riker wants to control from the top but Rader keeps moving.
Rader is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Zero Tolerance that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Rader is looking to stand up but Riker isn't so interested in that idea.
Riker throws a big right hand that misses.
Riker controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Riker's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Rader wants to stand but Riker is controlling the position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Riker in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rader pushes Riker off and scrambles back to his feet.
A lazy left from Riker finds it's target.

It looks like Dennis Rader has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rader slips a jab from Riker.
A little feinted left hand from Rader on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rader looks to throw the jab but Riker is out of range.
Rader ducks under a wild hook from Riker.
Rader throwing a counter right hand but Riker manages to avoid it.
Rader with a nice cross.

It looks like William Riker has been cut.
Jab by Rader.
Rader just misses with a punch to the body.
Rader throws a poor cross that misses

and Riker counters with a shoot takedown. Rader fights it but they end up in guard.
Rader is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Riker is controlling him.
Riker is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rader preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rader is looking to stand up but Riker isn't so interested in that idea.
My spies in The House Of Pain inform me that Riker has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Rader trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Rader pushes Riker off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
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!
Riker doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rader counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Riker misses with a takedown attempt
and Rader counters with a nice uppercut.

Oooooh!!! Rader has knocked Riker down with a huge combo! Rader steps away and waves a wobbly Riker back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!
Riker misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rader.
Rader is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Rader really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Riker swings away with a body shot that misses
letting Rader counter with a right hand.
William Riker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rader misses with a straight left.
Rader connects with a looping right hand.
Riker misses with a hook to the body

and Rader counters with a nice right hand that sends Riker toppling to the canvas! Riker scrambles and gets back to his feet - can Rader finish him?!

Riker is rocked!
Riker swings for the body but Rader moves out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Rader misses the target.
Dennis Rader is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Riker misses with a straight right.

Riker dives in and scores a takedown into Rader's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Riker throwing strikes but missing.
Rader working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Riker.
Rader is looking to stand up but Riker isn't so interested in that idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riker trying to control the position from guard on top but Rader is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Riker in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Riker slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Riker cracks Rader with a solid left hand.
Riker working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Riker looking to pass the guard.
Rader is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Riker is controlling him.
Riker scoring with some ground and pound.
Rader utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Riker looking to sit in guard and control but Rader gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dennis Rader dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rader throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rader scores with a hook to the body. Riker takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Rader throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Riker counters with a shoot takedown. Rader fights it but they end up in guard.

Rader pushes Riker off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Riker scores with a jab to the body.
Rader keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rader keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A little feinted left hand from Rader on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rader is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Rader throws a jab when Riker was well out of range.
Riker drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Rader defends it well.
Riker misses with a right hand
and Rader counters with a nice uppercut.
Rader is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riker scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Rader throws the left hand but Riker avoids the punch easily.
Nice defenses there by Rader.
It looked like Rader was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Riker misses with an uppercut
and Rader counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Riker walks into a left hand.
Rader is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Riker can do to turn this around?
Riker throws a big shot that misses.
Riker misses with a straight left.
Riker takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Riker bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rader's head backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rader swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A big left from Riker misses.
Riker's corner calls for a 1-2. Riker obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Rader lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Riker throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Rader counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rader throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rader misses with an uppercut. Riker saw that one coming.

Riker manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Rader on his heels. He'll look to pass Rader's guard now, I'm sure.
Riker stops Rader from standing up.
Riker lands a couple of digs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rader is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Riker not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Riker wants to pass the guard but Rader is keeping the position.
Riker throwing strikes but missing.
Riker lands a couple of digs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Rader manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Rader fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Riker lands a shoulder strike.

Rader jumps into guard, dragging Riker to the mat.
Riker stays in close to Rader's body and controls the position.
Riker trying to control but Rader is working from the bottom.
Riker has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rader wants to stand up but Riker is controlling him.

Rader pushes Riker off and scrambles back to his feet.
Rader throws a right and a left that both miss.
And Riker tries to counter it with a takedown but Rader pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Riker pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Riker scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Riker rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Rader counters with a straight right hand.
Riker fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rader moves into range and connects with a jab.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dennis Rader dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rader is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Riker.
Riker goes for a double leg but Rader avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Rader continues to drive forward.
Jab, jab by Riker - just one landing.
Rader lands a right hook to the body.
Rader darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Riker looks to throw the jab but Rader is out of range.
Riker fails with the takedown
and Riker takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Dennis Rader is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rader throws a jab when Riker was well out of range.
Riker changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Riker, as that shot connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rader throws a hook but Riker blocks it.
Rader avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rader went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Rader misses with an uppercut.
Riker swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Rader counters with a straight right hand.
Riker swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rader swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Rader lands a big uppercut and Riker crumbles to the floor! The ref thinks about stopping the fight but Riker looks OK. Rader waves Riker back to his feet!
Riker is still on wobbly legs! Can Rader finish him?
Rader throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Riker seems to have recovered his senses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riker misses with a straight right.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Riker throws a lazy uppercut
and Rader counters with a stiff right hand.
Riker misses with an uppercut
and Rader makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Riker throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Riker tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rader was well out of range. Poor timing from Riker.
Rader swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Rader scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Rader keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rader swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Riker has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A cross from Rader lands.
Riker just misses with a punch to the body.
Rader throws a big counter combination but Riker scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rader moves away from the strike by Riker.
Riker fails with a takedown attempt.
A little feinted left hand from Rader on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Dennis Rader has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of William Riker.
Rader misses with a lunging right hand

and Riker counters with a single leg into guard. Rader didn't expect that.

Rader is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Riker misses with some punches.

Rader has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Riker uses from the top position.
Rader working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Riker.

Rader has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Riker is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rader is trying to pull guard but Riker has him pressed against the cage.
Rader blocks an uppercut.
Rader tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Riker smiles and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riker uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rader.

Riker closes the distance and pushes Rader back into the cage.
Riker throws a head punch that misses.
Rader tries to pull guard but Riker holds him up against the cage and eventually Rader drops back down to his feet.
Rader fails to pull guard.
Riker misses with the head strike.

Rader manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Riker trying to control but Rader is working from the bottom.
Riker in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Riker won't allow Rader to get back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dennis Rader clearly takes that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action!

Riker throws an off balance right hand
and Rader counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Rader connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Riker's hands.
Riker misses with a looping right.
Rader appears to be looking for a big counter.
A telegraphed right hand from Riker misses the target.
It looked like Rader was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Riker.
Riker has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Rader finds it's way round the side to connect with Riker's head.
Rader misses with a straight left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters circling - Riker throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Riker throws a good cross that connects.
Rader misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riker throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Riker tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rader was well out of range. Poor timing from Riker.
Riker misses with a left hand
and Riker takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rader throws the left hand but Riker avoids the punch easily.
Riker moves away from the strike by Rader.
Rader is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Rader moves out of range as Riker strikes.
Riker dives in and grabs Rader's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rader pushes down on Riker's head and hops out.

Riker moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riker throws a punch but it's blocked by Rader.
Rader is trying to pull guard but Riker has him pressed against the cage.
Riker working aggressively here.
Rader is trying to pull guard but Riker has him pressed against the cage.
Riker misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rader tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Riker just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dennis Rader. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Riker tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Riker misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rader tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Riker working aggressively here.
Riker swings wildly with an uppercut but Rader uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rader tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Rader tries to pull guard but Riker holds him up against the cage and eventually Rader drops back down to his feet.

Rader jumps guard.
Riker 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 three minutes gone in the round.
Rader wants to stand up but Riker is controlling him.
Riker cracks Rader with a solid left hand.
Riker working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Riker distracts Rader with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Riker content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Riker trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Riker working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Riker won't allow Rader to get back to his feet.
Riker sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Riker throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riker is looking to work some ground and pound but Rader has wrist control.
Riker is looking to work some ground and pound but Rader has wrist control.
Rader wants to stand up but Riker is controlling him.
Riker missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rader will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Rader is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Riker is controlling him.
Rader being controlled here, momentarily.
Riker is working Rader over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Rader has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Riker has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Riker tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rader smiles and moves away.
Rader misses with a straight right.
Riker changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but William Riker will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Riker swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Riker throws a body shot but no joy.
Riker has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Rader finds it's way round the side to connect with Riker's head.
Riker misses with a lunging right hand
and Riker takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Riker takes a jab right on the kisser.
Rader throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Riker.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rader displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Riker throws out the jab.
Rader is looking to counter punch.
Riker keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Riker.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rader lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Riker avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rader moves out of range of the strikes.
Riker throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
As Riker looks to move away, Rader throws a big counter combo but Riker just gets out of the way.
Rader misses with an uppercut

and Riker counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
William Riker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riker perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Riker seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Riker thows a huge punch but Rader dodges it nicely.
Riker is looking to take a break and control but Rader is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rader tries to kick Riker off but Riker keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Riker lands with a punch from half guard.
Riker lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Riker prevents Rader from standing back up.
Rader keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Riker scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Rader looks like he's trying to stand up.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rader avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Riker.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riker winds up and cracks Rader with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Rader looks like he's trying to stand up.
William Riker has got the better of the ground game so far.
Riker slows the pace down in half guard.
Rader is trying to stand up here but Riker is controlling him well.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rader throws a nice looking combination but Riker bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Riker misses with an uppercut
and Rader counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rader scores with a jab to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rader moves out of range of the strikes.
Riker slips a jab from Rader.
Riker is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Riker misses with an uppercut.
Riker throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rader on the side of the head.
Riker swings widly with a right hand
and Rader cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A jab from Riker does it's job there.
Rader scores with a nice right hand.
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!
Rader uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Riker.
A quick step to the side and Rader tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Dennis Rader.
I think Rader has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 49:46
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 49:46
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dennis Rader!
In his post fight interview, Dennis Rader started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.