PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Bert River (ranked 1449 p4p, 1346 weight class) and Gareth Keenan Jr (ranked 159 p4p, 152 weight class). River comes to the cage accompanied by Five Finger Death Punch- Bad Company. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

River
vs
Keenan Jr

170 cm
28
145
9 - 7 - 0

179 cm
28
150
10 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Conviction

FUClothing

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 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bert River!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gareth Keenan Jr!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Chris Dean and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
River ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nice shot lands for Keenan Jr.
Good leg kick by River.
An inside leg kick lands from Keenan Jr.
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.
It seemed like Keenan Jr was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
River connects with a high kick.
River checks a low kick from Keenan Jr.
Keenan Jr misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from River.
Keenan Jr checks a leg kick nicely.
Keenan Jr jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Keenan Jr tried to score with a low kick but River checks it.
River lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Keenan Jr at a distance.
River misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Keenan Jr.
Nice straight punches there by River. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of River.
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!
Keenan Jr takes a swing at River's ribcage but misses.

Keenan Jr gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Keenan Jr looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Keenan Jr controlling River's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River with a flurry of punches that miss.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Keenan Jr preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Our spies down at at Gym inform us that Keenan Jr has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Keenan Jr utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Keenan Jr pulls River in close to prevent any damage.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Keenan Jr preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

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.
River throws a big elbow that misses.
Keenan Jr is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Jab by Keenan Jr.

River fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Keenan Jr sprawls well initially but River persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Keenan Jr wants to stand back up but River manages to pass into side control.
Keenan Jr tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Keenan Jr dodges the ground and pound from River.
River has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Keenan Jr is looking to reverse the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keenan Jr taking punishment in the form of punches.
Keenan Jr defending against the ground and pound.
River working away.
River tries to score with some ground and pound. Keenan Jr controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
A lull in the action here as River stalls from top position.
Keenan Jr taking punishment in the form of punches.
Keenan Jr managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by River.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River is looking to take a break and control but Keenan Jr is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
River advances to full mount.
River throws some wild stikes that Keenan Jr manages to avoid easily.
River avoids the attempt from Keenan Jr to control.
River throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Keenan Jr because River loaded up on that one.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Keenan Jr misses the shot to the body.
Donk. River catches Keenan Jr right on the button with a cross.
River throws a quick inside leg kick.
Keenan Jr blocks a jab.
River digs a good body shot into Keenan Jr's ribs.
River fails in his attempt to clinch.
River throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
River lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Keenan Jr fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with River, pushing him back against the cage.
River is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Keenan Jr breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Keenan Jr with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling River to score with a decent uppercut.
Keenan Jr with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A combination from Keenan Jr does no damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
River throws a front kick aimed at Keenan Jr's knee but Keenan Jr avoids it well.
River checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Keenan Jr throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River scores with a push kick.
River lands with a good body shot.
Keenan Jr misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from River.
Keenan Jr throws a hook but River blocks it.

River closes the distance and clinches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by River.
Keenan Jr is leaning against River and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
River throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Keenan Jr blocks the elbow strike.
A short right from Keenan Jr on the inside.
A short body shot lands from River as the two fighters clinch.
Keenan Jr misses with a shot to the kidneys.
River is pushing Keenan Jr up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
A short body shot lands from River as the two fighters clinch.
Keenan Jr is trying to break the clinch but River has him pressed against the cage.
River misses with a punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River tries to work over Keenan Jr's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
River tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Keenan Jr's elbow.
Keenan Jr has had enough of the clinch but River keeps him there for the moment.
River digs a right hand into Keenan Jr's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Keenan Jr's gas tank.
Keenan Jr throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
This has been an exciting period of action!
River has a couple of punches blocked by Keenan Jr.
Nice body punch from River.

River has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Keenan Jr is trying to keep an underhook but River manages to get the takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
River prevents Keenan Jr from improving his position.
Keenan Jr keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Keenan Jr avoiding damage under a succession of punches from River.
River seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Keenan Jr does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keenan Jr gets back to full guard.
Keenan Jr is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Keenan Jr keeping moving, preventing River from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Keenan Jr tries to close the distance and clinch up but River swats him away and circles back towards the center.
River misses with a body kick.
River takes one on the chin but seems OK.

River gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Keenan Jr.
Keenan Jr fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Keenan Jr tried to land a shot to the body but connects with River's elbow.

Keenan Jr breaks the clinch.
River is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
River is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Keenan Jr can do to turn this around?
Keenan Jr fails in his attempt to clinch.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as River checks a leg kick.
Keenan Jr jabs at River's body.
River lands a jab to the nose.
A jab from Keenan Jr misses.

Keenan Jr clinches up against the cage.
Keenan Jr blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Keenan Jr wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
River misses with a short punch on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
River tries to work over Keenan Jr's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Keenan Jr is trying to break the clinch but River has him pressed against the cage.
Bert River has scored more points in the clinch so far.
River goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bert River dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Keenan Jr is looking to clinch but River is avoiding it.
River shoots in looking for a takedown but Keenan Jr manages to keep the fight standing, pushing River's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A swing and a miss from Keenan Jr.
Keenan Jr stuffs the takedown attempt from River. River gets slowly back to his feet.
River is looking to clinch.
Keenan Jr fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Keenan Jr walks into a straight right hand from River.
Keenan Jr keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Keenan Jr fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and River has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
River works over Keenan Jr's head and body with a nice combination.
River throws a lazy right hand but Keenan Jr sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
River tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Keenan Jr misses with a hook
letting River counter with a right hand.
Keenan Jr misses with a low kick as River jumps back.
Keenan Jr misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from River.
River shoots in and drives through. Keenan Jr sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bert River. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
River tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Keenan Jr defends well and River ends up having to push Keenan Jr into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Keenan Jr breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
River fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Keenan Jr.
River has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Keenan Jr.
Sloppy strikes from Keenan Jr. Those never looked like landing.
River swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
River swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Keenan Jr wants to counter the offense by River and move into the clinch position.
Keenan Jr checks the leg kick nicely there.
A low kick from Keenan Jr misses
and River counters with a straight right hand.
River defending well as Keenan Jr loads up on a big left hand.
The fighters circling - River throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
River takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Keenan Jr waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract River.
River seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Keenan Jr tries to close the distance and clinch but River swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
River takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Keenan Jr misses with a wild body shot.
River clobbers Keenan Jr with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
River shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Keenan Jr eats them both and turns towards River to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Keenan Jr works over River's head and body with a nice combination.
Gareth Keenan Jr has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River shoots in looking for a takedown. Keenan Jr tries to sprawl out of it but River keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Keenan Jr manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Jab from River.
Keenan Jr throws a lazy right hand but River sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A low kick lands for River.
Keenan Jr works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
River swats away the attempt to clinch by Keenan Jr.
River works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
River connects with a leg kick.
Gareth Keenan Jr is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

River gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Keenan Jr avoiding damage as River throws knees to the body.

Keenan Jr's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bert River is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keenan Jr feints and then cracks River's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow River down.
River scores with a nice strike.
River slips a straight right by Keenan Jr.
A nice leg kick lands there from Keenan Jr.
Keenan Jr just misses with a punch to the body.
Keenan Jr listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Keenan Jr throws a leg kick
and River counters with a nice low kick that buckles Keenan Jr's knee momentarily.
Keenan Jr avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Keenan Jr takes a swing at River's ribcage but misses.
River tries to clinch up but Keenan Jr circles away and keeps his distance.
River lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
River feints and then cracks Keenan Jr's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Keenan Jr down.
Keenan Jr circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nice body kick from River.
Keenan Jr throws a shot from downtown. River moves away and avoids it.
Keenan Jr tries to move into range but River moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
River throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Keenan Jr.
A nice leg kick from River, right into the meat of the thigh.
Keenan Jr connects with a good right hand that stumbles River. River circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
River connects with a solid leg kick.
Keenan Jr throws a looping overhand right but River ducks down to avoid it.
Keenan Jr keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from River.
Keenan Jr misses with a kick to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Keenan Jr. River does a little dance to reset his feet.
Keenan Jr's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
River tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Keenan Jr defends well and River ends up having to push Keenan Jr into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A short uppercut from Keenan Jr.
River is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Keenan Jr is defending well.
River can't find room to land a body shot as Keenan Jr controls the action.
Keenan Jr misses with a body punch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
River lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Keenan Jr working aggressively here.
Keenan Jr misses with some punches.
Keenan Jr tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
River lands a left hand.

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 Bert River.
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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bert River!
Bert River decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.