PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mate Orsic (ranked 635 p4p, 225 weight class) and Guy River (ranked 92 p4p, 36 weight class). Orsic comes into the arena with KRS One - Rappaz R. N. Dainja blaring out of the sound system. River has chosen Gabon National Anthem as his entrance music. Mate Orsic could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Guy River's chin.

Orsic
vs
River

185 cm
35
168
17 - 6 - 1

182 cm
30
156
17 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Fantasy Threads

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

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 17 - 6 - 1, fighting out of New York, Mate Orsic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Guy River!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
River misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Orsic swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Orsic swinging wildly here.
Orsic 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.
Orsic has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Tran MMA Gym in the buildup to the fight.
River doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
We've been informed that River has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Orsic shoots in and drives through. River sprawls well.
River only half commits to the counter leg kick.
River wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
River misses with a wild body shot.
River throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
River throws a low kick, looking for Orsic's leg but Orsic calmly moves out of range.
Nice defenses there by Orsic.
Orsic misses with a body punch
and River counters with a big head kick but Orsic shrugs it off.
River throws out a loose jab but Orsic uses good head movement to avoid it.
Orsic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from River.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River pulls out of a head kick attempt.
River looks for the body kick but Orsic saw that one coming.
River misses with an attempted mid kick.
River throws a leg kick but Orsic moved away.
River missing with a left hand there. Orsic was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
River swings for the body but Orsic moves out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by River.
Orsic misses with a right hand
and River counters with a lovely straight right hand!
River takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
River tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Orsic bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
River throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Orsic sees it coming and avoids it easily.
River misses with a low kick.
Mate Orsic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A jab from River misses.
Orsic swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River just misses with a punch to the body.
Orsic lands a really nice looking cross but River seems unphased.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Orsic just misses with a punch to the body.
River dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Orsic. That did some damage!
A jab from River does it's job there.
Orsic wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
River slips a jab from Orsic.
River moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
River misses with a jab, cross combination.

Orsic closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. River quickly recovers to half guard.
River has hold of Orsic's hands but Orsic slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Orsic is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Orsic controlling the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Orsic is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Orsic is looking for a kimura but River is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Orsic to get the leverage.

Orsic seems to be working for a kimura but River defends the submission attempt.
Orsic 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.
River is staying active underneath Orsic, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
River tries to kick Orsic off but Orsic keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Orsic thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed River's head.
Orsic missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
River looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Orsic is looking for a kimura but River is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Orsic to get the leverage.

Orsic seems to be looking for submissions.
Orsic prevents River from standing back up.
River is refusing to be controlled, as Orsic sits in half guard.
River pushes Orsic off looking to stand but Orsic dives back in and keeps control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Orsic shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has River pinned against the cage. River gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A punch lands to the side of River 's head but he takes it in his stride.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Guy River will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

River stuffs the takedown attempt from Orsic. Orsic gets slowly back to his feet.
Orsic throws a looping overhand right but River ducks down to avoid it.
River throws a nice outside leg kick.
Orsic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Orsic on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
River fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Orsic manages to avoid it.
A quick step to the side and Orsic tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Orsic lands a jab to River's midsection.
River lands with a nice body punch.
A head kick misses from River.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Orsic fails to land with a series of punches.
River with a body punch. A glancing blow.
River is looking to slow Orsic down with leg kicks.
River has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Orsic keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from River.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Orsic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from River.
River flicks out a counter leg kick but Orsic steps away.
River ducks under a wild hook from Orsic.
River misses with an uppercut. Orsic saw that one coming.
River connects with a crisp jab.
Guy River seems to be getting the better of the standup.
River misses with a body shot.
River stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and River wants it to stay on the feet.
River looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
The fighters circle momentarily. Orsic darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
River lands with a straight right. Orsic didn't see that one coming.
Orsic shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A countering left hand to the body from River misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mate Orsic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Orsic throws a nice looking combination but River bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
An inside leg kick lands from River.
River lands a nice leg kick that just misses Orsic's sensitive parts.
River throws a nice head kick!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
River lands a nice hook to Orsic's body. Orsic takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Orsic closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Orsic.
River is leaning against Orsic and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Orsic changes levels and goes for a takedown here. River fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Orsic looks to land a left hand but River moved out of range nicely.
River slips a jab and a cross from Orsic.
River lands an overhand right.
Orsic fails with a takedown attempt.
River is looking for the big counter here.
A nice leg kick lands there from River.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River feints and then cracks Orsic's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Orsic down.
River swings for the body but Orsic moves out of range.
Orsic tries to counter with a takedown but River is quick to defend against it.
River lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Orsic takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
River swings for the body but Orsic moves out of range.
Orsic doesn't manage to clinch there - River circles away.
River keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Orsic jabs at River's body.
River throws a low kick but Orsic moves out of range easily.
Orsic half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
River slaps away a takedown attempt from Orsic, before circling back to the center of the mat.
River doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Orsic takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Orsic takes one on the button.
River stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and River wants it to stay on the feet.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from River! But no joy.
River's corner calls for a 1-2. River obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Orsic fails in his attempt to clinch.
River thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Orsic if he has to take too many more of those.
A jab from River misses.
Orsic throws an off balance right hand
and River counters with a thumping low kick.
River scores with a leg kick.
Orsic fails with an attempt to clinch.
River throws out a counter right but Orsic avoids it with no problem.
A jab from Orsic misses.
Nice uppercut lands for River. That snapped Orsic's head back.
Orsic avoids a punch combination nicely.
Orsic uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before River has time to react.
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 minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Orsic swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and River counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
River throws a shot from downtown. Orsic moves away and avoids it.
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 combination
and Orsic counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps River thinking.
Orsic throws a combination that misses
and Orsic takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
River swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
River throws a series of punches but Orsic moves out of range.

Orsic looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

River makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Orsic shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. River defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Orsic throws a right hand that River ducks under and follows up with a left that River also avoids with ease.
Orsic lands with a hook. River tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
River misses with a wild body shot.
A lazy left from River finds it's target.
River scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Orsic doesn't seem bothered though.
Orsic shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts River as he jumps to the side.
Orsic's hands are dropping dangerously low here and River connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Orsic scrambles back to his feet.
River throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
A looping hook to the body misses from Orsic. River does a little dance to reset his feet.
River steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
A solid body kick from River.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Orsic.
A jab from Orsic misses.
Orsic takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Guy River is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jab, jab by Orsic - just one landing.
River takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
River avoids the body shot from Orsic.
River misses with a hook.
River paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
River with a nice calf kick.
Orsic tries to close the distance and clinch but River swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Orsic moves out of range as River strikes.
River throws a hook but Orsic avoids it easily.
Orsic tries to counter by clinching up but River breaks away and moves out of range.
River looks to land a left hand but Orsic moved out of range nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good leg kick by River.
Orsic defending well as River loads up on a big left hand.
River misses with a leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from River. Orsic does a little dance to reset his feet.
River tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Orsic was well out of range. Poor timing from River.
River moves out of range as Orsic strikes.
Orsic with a hook.
Orsic is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
River throws a low kick but Orsic moves out of range easily.
Nice defenses there by Orsic.
River connects with an inside leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Orsic. River does a little dance to reset his feet.

Orsic moves into range and clinches up with River.
Mate Orsic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

River breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Orsic misses with a few strikes there.
And River responds with a good body kick, but Orsic manages to step out the way in time.
River throws a leg kick which misses Orsic's front leg but catches the back leg as Orsic tries to avoid it.
River walks into a jab.
Orsic misses the jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Orsic takes one on the button.
River throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
River moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Orsic throws a jab but it's blocked by River.
Orsic lunges at River with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by River's hand.
River blocks a jab.
River scores with a leg kick.
Guy River is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
River throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Orsic stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Guy River!
After winning the bout, Guy River thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.