PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Keilis Rivera (ranked 24878 p4p, 6695 weight class) and Ivan Pavlov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Rivera
vs
Pavlov

170 cm
19
155
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
18
150
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Keilis Rivera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Pavlov!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Ivan Kurochkin and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Pavlov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Rivera did well to prevent Pavlov getting side control.
Pavlov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Rivera might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Pavlov trying to pass the guard but Rivera defending well.

Rivera looking for submissions off his back.
Rivera tries to roll over but Pavlov keeps him under control.
Rivera is working hard here to advance position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ground and pound from Pavlov.
Rivera is trying to stand up here but Pavlov is controlling him well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Pavlov seems content to control.

Pavlov seems to be working for a kimura but Rivera defends the submission attempt.
Rivera is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Pavlov scores with a couple of nice shots.

Pavlov wants to work for an arm triangle but Rivera is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pavlov moves nicely into side control.
Pavlov wants to stand but Rivera has his arm trapped.

Pavlov decides to stand back up. Pavlov steps back and let's Rivera get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pavlov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rivera throws a front kick that sends Pavlov stumbling back into the cage.
Rivera moves in looking to clinch but Pavlov pushes him off.
Rivera lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Pavlov keeps the fight on the outside.

Pavlov drives through with a takedown into Rivera's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Rivera trying to keep a closed guard but Pavlov is proving a slippery customer.
Pavlov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pavlov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rivera throws his legs up looking for a submission but Pavlov uses it to pass to side control.
Pavlov landing strikes.
The referee asks Pavlov politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Pavlov prefers to stall for the moment though.
Rivera can't do much from the bottom here.
Pavlov taking a breather here.

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.
Rivera gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Pavlov controlling the pace for now.
Rivera taking shots to the head.
Pavlov punishing his opponent with strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rivera in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Pavlov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Pavlov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Pavlov has hold of Rivera's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Rivera manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Pavlov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rivera fails with a takedown attempt.
Rivera tries to clinch there but Pavlov circles away.
Rivera lands a head kick. Pavlov smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

It looks like Ivan Pavlov has been cut.

Pavlov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Pavlov is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Rivera is trying to escape and Pavlov transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Rivera is forced to tap! Nice work there by Pavlov! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:42 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ivan Pavlov!