PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Yip Man Iii (ranked 205 p4p, 339 weight class) and Guy River (ranked 33 p4p, 53 weight class). River has chosen Gabon National Anthem as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Man Iii
vs
River

182 cm
26
165
20 - 7 - 0

182 cm
30
156
16 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

New Standard
HELLBENT

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Yip Man Iii!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Guy River!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Kenichi Hosakawa and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
River tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Man Iii was well out of range. Poor timing from River.
River lands a head shot.
Man Iii checks a leg kick nicely.
A quick step to the side and Man Iii tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Man Iii takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Man Iii slips under a jab.
Man Iii avoids the body shot from River.
River jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Man Iii swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
River cracks a nice hook into Man Iii's ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
River misses with a wild body shot.
River throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
River misses with a shot to the body
and River takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
River smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Man Iii checks a leg kick.
Man Iii checks a leg kick.
Guy River seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A punch combination from River misses.
River lands a front kick.
Jab from River.
River digs a good hook to Man Iii's body.
Man Iii tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Man Iii has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from River finds it's way round the side to connect with Man Iii's head.
River pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
River tries a low kick but Man Iii avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River lands a right hook to the body.
River looks to land a combination but Man Iii avoids it well.
A nice leg kick from River, right into the meat of the thigh.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Man Iii takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
River tries to bum rush Man Iii with a series of wild strikes but Man Iii uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
River listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
River throws the left hand but Man Iii avoids the punch easily.
A little feinted left hand from Man Iii on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

River clinches.
River prevents a body shot from Man Iii.
Man Iii lands a body punch in the clinch.
River throws a head punch that misses.
Man Iii struggles to land a body shot inside as River controls his hands.
Man Iii misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by River.
River presses Man Iii against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
River working some nice short punches in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for River.
River lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Man Iii blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Man Iii lands a left hand that snaps the head of River backwards.
A short uppercut from Man Iii.
River scores with a shoulder strike.
River lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Man Iii backwards.
River misses with a punch on the inside.
Man Iii misses with the head strike.
River scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Man Iii misses with a hook to the ribs.
The referee is keeping an eye on River - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
A shot in the inside from River.
Man Iii lands a right hand that snaps the head of River backwards.
River lands with a light punch inside.
Man Iii works on River's body with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Man Iii misses with a body punch.
Man Iii digs a right hand into River's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on River's gas tank.
River wants to stall.
River doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
River misses with a hook from the clinch.
Man Iii lands a right hand that snaps the head of River backwards.
River throws a head punch that misses.
River misses with the head strike.
Man Iii lands with a left to the head.
River has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Man Iii seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if River can turn it around.
Man Iii gets through River's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Man Iii goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right from Man Iii.
Man Iii tried to land a shot to the body but connects with River's elbow.
Man Iii misses with a hook from the clinch.
River tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Man Iii stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Man Iii gets through River's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Man Iii lands a left hand that snaps the head of River backwards.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Guy River dominated that round.
That's time! Man Iii's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

River scores with a kick to the midsection.
River punishes Man Iii's body with a nice straight punch.
River has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
River dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Man Iii. That did some damage!
River scores with a jab. Man Iii acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
River throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
River throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

River clinches with his opponent.
River lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Man Iii tried to land a shot to the body but connects with River's elbow.
River misses with a hook from the clinch.
Man Iii lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
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!
River works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A nice right hand lands inside from Man Iii.
Man Iii lands a left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Man Iii lands a left hand that snaps the head of River backwards.
Man Iii goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
River misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nice body punch from Man Iii - that landed with a thud.
Man Iii throws a punch but it's blocked by River.
Man Iii blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
River struggles to land a body shot inside as Man Iii controls his hands.
Man Iii throws a head punch that misses.
Man Iii struggles to land a body shot inside as River controls his hands.
Yip Man Iii has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Man Iii stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

River manages to break the clinch.
Man Iii chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before River can pounce on him.
River tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
River lands a nice shot to the body.
River tries to clinch but Man Iii moves away
and River takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
River ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Man Iii moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River missing with a left hand there. Man Iii was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
An attempted straight right counter from Man Iii misses the target.
Man Iii moves out of range as River throws a body kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Man Iii misses the target.
River throws out a leg kick but Man Iii moves out of range and River only half commits.
Man Iii checks a low kick from River.
Man Iii was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
River moves into range and connects with a jab.
Guy River seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
River throws a leg kick
and Man Iii counters with a straight right hand.
Man Iii checks a low kick from River.
River 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.
A cross from River lands.
River throws a leg kick but Man Iii sees it coming and checks it nicely.
An attempted straight right counter from Man Iii misses the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River scores with a leg kick.
River tests Man Iii's chin there with a solid looking shot.
River pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Man Iii swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Nice shot lands for River.
Man Iii slips under a jab.
River throws a body punch but Man Iii moves out of range.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
River throws a lazy right hand but Man Iii sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Man Iii feinted there with a counter leg kick.
River tries a low kick but Man Iii avoids it.
Man Iii swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
River thuds his right hand into Man Iii's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A punch lands to the side of Man Iii 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Man Iii keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A little feinted left hand from Man Iii on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River motions for Man Iii to come forward. River throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
River keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
River connects with a solid leg kick.
Man Iii chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before River can pounce on him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Man Iii checks a leg kick nicely.
River lands the left hand.
River tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Man Iii manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
River is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Man Iii.
Man Iii throwing a counter right hand but River manages to avoid it.
River takes a swing at Man Iii's ribcage but misses.

River clinches with his opponent.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Guy River showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

River throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Man Iii swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
River misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Man Iii.
A little feinted left hand from Man Iii on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Man Iii is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
River ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Man Iii moves away.
River wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
River thumps Man Iii with a low kick.
Man Iii is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
River goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
River works the jab nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
River misses with a low kick as Man Iii jumps back.
An attempted straight right counter from Man Iii misses the target.
River scores with a spinning back kick!
River scores with a hook.
River with the inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Man Iii was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
River scores with a nice strike.

River takes the fight into the clinch.
River stalling in the clinch.
River working aggressively here.
Man Iii throws a head punch that misses.
River lands a left hand that snaps the head of Man Iii backwards.
A nice left hand lands by River.
River working aggressively here.
Man Iii throws a punch but it's blocked by River.
A right handed body shot lands from Man Iii.
Man Iii lands a right hand.
Man Iii fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
River misses with some punches.
Man Iii prevents a body shot from River.
Yip Man Iii has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Man Iii tries a body shot but River blocks it.
Man Iii blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Man Iii prevents River from breaking the clinch.
River tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
River misses with a punch to the body.
Man Iii misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Man Iii lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
River gets through Man Iii's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
River lands a body punch in the clinch.
Man Iii misses with some punches.
Man Iii has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Man Iii tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A short right from Man Iii on the inside.
Man Iii tried to land a shot to the body but connects with River's elbow.
River misses with a body punch.
Man Iii stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Nice body punch from River.
Man Iii tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Man Iii softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Man Iii misses with a body punch.
Man Iii lands a body shot.
River takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Man Iii.
River throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Man Iiis head.
Man Iii tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
River is leaning against Man Iii and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Man Iii swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Man Iii scores with a shot to the side of River's head.
Man Iii misses with a hook to the ribs.
Man Iii swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Man Iii lands a hook to the side of the head.
River tries to stall but Man Iii uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Man Iii can't find room to land a body shot as River controls the action.
Man Iii misses with a punch on the inside.
Man Iii lands a body punch in the clinch.
River blocks an uppercut.
River goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
River misses with the head strike.
A short body shot lands from River as the two fighters clinch.
River has had enough of the clinch but Man Iii keeps him there for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Man Iii pushes River back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
River misses with a hook to the ribs.
River lands a left hand that snaps the head of Man Iii backwards.
River misses with a hook to the ribs.
River lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Man Iii backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
River blocks a body shot from Man Iii.
Man Iii goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Man Iii throws a head punch that misses.
River prevents a body shot from Man Iii.
Man Iii misses with a punch to the body.
Man Iii blocks a body shot from River.
Man Iii working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
River misses with some punches.
A hook to the body from Man Iii.
River prevents a body shot from Man Iii.
Man Iii tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Man Iii lands with a light punch inside.

River breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Guy River is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
River tries to land a front kick but Man Iii steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

And that's the end of the fight!
Guy River comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got River winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Guy River!
A very excited looking Guy River made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.