PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Badri Bolkvadze (ranked 2801 p4p, 2037 weight class) and James River (ranked 222 p4p, 176 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Bolkvadze
vs
River

171 cm
21
155
4 - 4 - 0

170 cm
21
147
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

BRAZEN - Fight Gear

Conviction
Conquer

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Badri Bolkvadze!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, James River !
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Aleksandr Martynov and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice cross by River .
A looping hook to the body misses from River . Bolkvadze does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bolkvadze takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Bolkvadze fakes high and swings low for a body shot but River manages to avoid it.
River doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Bolkvadze takes one on the button.
Bolkvadze looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
River lands a slapping body shot.
A big right from Bolkvadze misses.
River connects with a looping right hand.
Bolkvadze avoids the body shot from River .
Bolkvadze looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Bolkvadze takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Bolkvadze uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from River .
And Bolkvadze counters with a quick kick to the body but River blocks it.
River connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
River misses with a wild body shot.
River lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
River has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Bolkvadze lands with a nice body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River misses with a looping right.
Bolkvadze swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
River scores with a hook to the body. Bolkvadze takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

River clinches with his opponent.
River doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
River works on Bolkvadze's body with a couple of short punches.
Bolkvadze scores a nice knee to the body.
River is leaning against Bolkvadze and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Bolkvadze landing knees to the head.

It looks like James River has been cut.
River blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

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 Bolkvadze uses from the top position.

River has his foot on Bolkvadze's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bolkvadze works his way back into a safe position though.

River has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bolkvadze can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Bolkvadze stays in close to River 's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bolkvadze wants to pass the guard but River is keeping the position.
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!
Bolkvadze wants to stand but River is controlling his posture from full guard.
Bolkvadze is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Bolkvadze trying to control the position from guard on top but River is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
River is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

River is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Bolkvadze is aware though and is defending well.
Bolkvadze looking to sit in guard and control but River gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
River throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
River trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

River avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
River throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
River sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bolkvadze is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Bolkvadze wants to stand up but River is controlling him.
River keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bolkvadze's head.
River working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
River throws an elbow that misses. Bolkvadze uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in River 's guard. Nice move by Bolkvadze!

Bolkvadze avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

River is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Bolkvadze is aware though and is defending well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

James River dominated that round.
The cut man is working on James River 's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

River lands with a good body shot.
River punishes Bolkvadze's body with a nice straight punch.
River blocks a leg kick.
Bolkvadze lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
River shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bolkvadze as he jumps to the side.
River jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
River cracks a nice hook into Bolkvadze's ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The crowd cheers as River lands an impressive looking overhand right. Bolkvadze doesn't seem phased though.

River clinches up against the cage.
River has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bolkvadze throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
River tries for a takedown but Bolkvadze manages to get underhooks.
Bolkvadze is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bolkvadze works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

River decides to pull guard.
Bolkvadze slips nicely into half guard.
River has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bolkvadze is working away from the top position though.

River is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Bolkvadze pulls his head out easily.
Bolkvadze wants to get back to his feet.
Bolkvadze trying to control from half guard but River is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

River looking for submissions off his back.

River looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
River tries to roll over but Bolkvadze keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bolkvadze is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Bolkvadze is looking to take a break and control but River is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

River looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
James River has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bolkvadze is looking to stand up but he'll have to free his leg first. Instead, River manages to get to full guard.

River is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Bolkvadze is aware though and is defending well.

River looking for a guillotine here but Bolkvadze defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bolkvadze throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as River works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bolkvadze not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Bolkvadze wants to control from the top but River keeps moving.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bolkvadze wanted to stand there but River had control of the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
River has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from River there as he acknowledges the shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

James River showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on James River 's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

River throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bolkvadze sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bolkvadze on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
James River seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bolkvadze staying out of range there.
Bolkvadze ducks under a wild hook from River .
River lands a nice hook to Bolkvadze's body. Bolkvadze takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
James River seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice shot lands for River .
Bolkvadze tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but River was well out of range. Poor timing from Bolkvadze.
River connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Bolkvadze momentarily.
Bolkvadze with a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
River keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
River lands a jab to Bolkvadze's midsection.
Bolkvadze takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
This has been an exciting period of action!
River connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River connects with a body shot.
Bolkvadze takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
River lands with a cross.
Bolkvadze closes the distance but River moves to the side
and River counters with a straight right hand.
River comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Bolkvadze pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A slow jab from River misses its intended target.
River lands with a straight right. Bolkvadze didn't see that one coming.
Bolkvadze misses the shot to the body.
Bolkvadze walks into a jab.
River lands with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
River with a jab.
Bolkvadze throws the left hand but River avoids the punch easily.
River scores with a body shot.
River cracks Bolkvadze with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
River misses with a hook.
The crowd cheers as River lands an impressive looking overhand right. Bolkvadze doesn't seem phased though.
Bolkvadze gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Bolkvadze throws a head kick that misses.
River scores with a crisp jab that stopped Bolkvadze in his tracks.
River swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bolkvadze swings and misses with a hook to the body.
River swinging wildly here.
Bolkvadze tries to counter by clinching up but River breaks away and moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River looks to land a left hand but Bolkvadze moved out of range nicely.
Bolkvadze tried to counter with a leg kick but River avoided it.
River jabs at Bolkvadze's body.
River loads up on a big right hand but Bolkvadze slips the punch.
Bolkvadze is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Bolkvadze keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A quick step to the side and Bolkvadze tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bolkvadze looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Bolkvadze avoids the body shot from River .
Badri Bolkvadze has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
River lands a jab to the head.
Bolkvadze uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by River .
River looks to land a right hand but Bolkvadze moved out of range.
River throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
It looked like Bolkvadze was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from River .
Bolkvadze tries a head kick but it misses.
Bolkvadze takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River lands a glancing blow to the side of Bolkvadze's head.
River rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Bolkvadze moves into the clinch.
River struggles to land a body shot inside as Bolkvadze controls his hands.
River gets through Bolkvadze's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
River blocks an uppercut.
Bolkvadze missing with knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
River content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Bolkvadze blocks a body shot from River .
A head punch on the inside from Bolkvadze fails to land.
Bolkvadze misses with a knee to the head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Bolkvadze as River tries to tie him up.
River makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
River tries to score a body lock takedown but Bolkvadze shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
River is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Bolkvadze gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
River working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A knee to the head by Bolkvadze.

And that's the end of the fight!
James 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James River !
Our winner, James River , made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.