PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bernhard River (ranked 1863 p4p, 1504 weight class) and John McCain (ranked 110 p4p, 88 weight class). River comes into the arena with Metallica: Enter Sandman blaring out of the sound system. McCain comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Anywhere I Go kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

River
vs
McCain

170 cm
27
135
10 - 7 - 0

166 cm
31
140
13 - 7 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Fast

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

PWNAGE

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 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bernhard River!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, John McCain!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Daniel Bishop and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
River staying out of range there.
McCain fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
River looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
River slips a jab from McCain.
McCain throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
McCain lands with a right hand.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
McCain misses the jab.
A left lands for River.
River throws a chopping leg kick but McCain manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
McCain appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
A shot to the liver by River. Beautiful body shot.
A cross from McCain lands.
McCain defending well as River loads up on a big left hand.
River with a body punch. A glancing blow.
McCain avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
McCain throws an off balance right hand
and River connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
McCain looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McCain swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
River jabs McCain to the body, keeping him at a distance.
River ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
McCain checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
River throws a body punch but McCain moves out of range.
River ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A jab from McCain misses.
And River counters with a quick kick to the body but McCain blocks it.
River shoots in for a takedown but McCain shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
River throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
River cracks McCain with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
McCain looks to throw the jab but River is out of range.
McCain might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
River moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
River looks to land a right hand but McCain moved out of range.
McCain avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
River tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

River clinches up with McCain and pushes him back against the cage.

McCain breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A low kick lands for McCain.
John McCain seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
River throws a lazy right hand but McCain sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
River throws a leg kick which misses McCain's front leg but catches the back leg as McCain tries to avoid it.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as River checks a leg kick.

River shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. River showed some decent athleticism there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McCain wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCain is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

McCain manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. River keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
McCain lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
River stalls.
McCain misses with a hook to the ribs.
McCain misses with some punches.
River can't find room to land a body shot as McCain controls the action.
River misses with an elbow over the top.
McCain looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
River lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down McCain.
River softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

McCain breaks the clinch.
River staying out of range there.
River does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

River rushes McCain and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

River has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics McCain uses from the top position.
River is trying to control the position but McCain postures up.
McCain would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

River looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! McCain has picked River up and slammed him! River can't keep hold of the triangle and McCain manages to pass to side control!
River is looking to regain half guard here but McCain keeps moving and retains side control.

McCain decides to take the fight back to the feet.
River slips a jab from McCain.
McCain does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
River lands with a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCain misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McCain throws a body shot but no joy.
McCain chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A chopping leg kick lands by McCain.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Jab by River.
River sizes up McCain with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
McCain on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

River drives through and clinches with McCain against the cage.

McCain breaks from the clinch.
McCain walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
River defending well as McCain loads up on a big left hand.
McCain tests River's chin there with a solid looking shot.
River moves in looking to clinch but McCain pushes him off.
A big left from McCain misses.
John McCain is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McCain misses with a low kick as River jumps back.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McCain darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
McCain misses with a straight left.
A jab from River misses.
McCain just misses with a punch to the body.
McCain throws a series of punches but River moves out of range.
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 Bernhard River will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

River wants to land a leg kick but McCain is out of range.

River shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
River scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
River content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
River prevents McCain from standing back up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCain is refusing to be controlled, as River sits in half guard.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCain is not content to let River control the position.
River slips a nice elbow through McCain's hands, connecting with McCain's forehead.
River winds up and cracks McCain with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
River is looking to take a break and control but McCain is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
River stops McCain from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
River wants to pass the guard but McCain is defending well.
River seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but McCain does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
McCain tries to kick River off but River keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
River throws a push kick but McCain slaps the foot to one side.
McCain misses with an uppercut
and River counters with a good low kick that McCain was not able to check.
River misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
River checks a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River is looking to chop away at McCain's legs.
River blocks a low kick nicely.
McCain moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
McCain on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
McCain blocks a jab.
River throws a leg kick but McCain moved away.
McCain misses with a wild body shot.
River takes a kick to the side of the head.
River lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
River lands a nice looking kick to the body. McCain takes a step back to recover.
A leg kick checked by McCain.
McCain connects with the punch.
McCain moves into range and connects with a jab.
A clash of legs there as River blocks the low kick.
McCain changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
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!
McCain misses with an uppercut.
McCain keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
River blocks a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCain takes a shot right to the bread basket.
A nice inside leg kick there by River. That's going to slow McCain down.
McCain throws a leg kick that is checked
and McCain takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

River closes the distance and clinches.
McCain taking a breather.
River misses with a hook to the ribs.
A body shot lands from River.
River has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by McCain after a bit of a struggle.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
River tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A shot in the inside from McCain.
A short right from McCain on the inside.
McCain lands with a short shot to the head.
McCain just leaning against River, taking a breather.
A right hand to the body from River.
River is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bernhard River. That's going to take a lot out of him.

McCain breaks the clinch.
McCain 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.
McCain defends well against a solid takedown attempt from River.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Bernhard River will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

A big right from River misses.
McCain slips a jab from River.
McCain throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
McCain ducks under a wild hook from River.
McCain cracks River with a good jab.
River lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
River feints and then cracks McCain's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow McCain down.
McCain lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
River gets cracked there but stands up to it.
River looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
River moves out of range of the strikes.
River slips under a jab.
A shot to the liver by River. Beautiful body shot.
River takes a kick to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
River tries to clinch up.
McCain tries a quick counter leg kick but River is wise to it.
River throws a hook but McCain blocks it.
River doesn't manage to clinch there - McCain circles away.
River throws a looping overhand right but McCain ducks down to avoid it.
River ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
River connects with a right hand. McCain shakes it off.
River tries to land a front kick but McCain steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
River tests McCain's chin there with a solid looking shot.
River misses with a few strikes there.
A nice combination there by McCain.
McCain tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
McCain cracks River with a good jab.
McCain misses with a low kick as River jumps back.
River throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
McCain is clearly trying to counter these attacks from River with a body shot.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from McCain lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and River has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from River and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
River misses with a wild body shot.
River connects with a single shot there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
River staying out of range there.
A big right from McCain misses.
McCain avoids the body shot from River.
McCain's jab looks to have found its range, popping River under the eye.
McCain swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCain cracks River with an open hand slap.
McCain connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A looping hook to the body misses from McCain. River does a little dance to reset his feet.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from McCain lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and River has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from River and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

River fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging McCain to the ground. River is now in McCain's guard.
Bernhard River overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McCain wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and River manages to pass to side control.
McCain looks like he's trying to stand up.
McCain wants to stand back up but River manages to pass into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCain is looking to get back to his feet here but River is keeping cool and he's managed to take McCain's back.
Oooh a big shot gets through from River. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
McCain prevents River from getting a body triangle.
River has good solid back control here.
McCain trying to get back to his feet but River is in full control for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River lands an elbow to the side of the head.
The referee is taking a good look at McCain as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from River!
River connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for McCain to escape the position.
McCain trying to get back to his feet but River is in full control for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bernhard River showed his dominance in that final round.
Well River has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bernhard River!
Bernhard River thanked the fans post fight for their support.