PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Julien Dupont (ranked 4041 p4p, 4743 weight class) and Khalil Rivers (ranked 319 p4p, 0 weight class). Julien Dupont could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Khalil Rivers's chin.

Dupont
vs
Rivers

175 cm
18
153
0 - 0 - 0

150 cm
20
145
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Enjoys gardening

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Julien Dupont!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Khalil Rivers!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Dillan Fox and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dupont manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Rivers on his heels. He'll look to pass Rivers's guard now, I'm sure.
Dupont trying to control the position from guard on top but Rivers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dupont has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Dupont avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rivers looks winded!

Rivers looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rivers being controlled here, momentarily.
Rivers should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Dupont stands and steps away. Rivers gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Rivers enables Dupont to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Rivers manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Rivers looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dupont stands and throws Rivers's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Dupont tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Dupont decides to stand up, so the ref orders Rivers to his feet.
Dupont tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rivers paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rivers tries to counter with a clinch but Dupont shakes him off and moves away.

Dupont gets a takedown into half guard.

Rivers looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Dupont throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Dupont gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
The fight stays on the outside here - Dupont looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rivers steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Dupont.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dupont gets a double leg takedown into Rivers's guard.

Dupont stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Dupont tries to clinch

and Rivers counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Rivers drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Dupont dives on top into guard.

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!
Dupont is stalling in the full guard.
Dupont seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Rivers for as long as he can get away with.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Dupont trying to control but Rivers is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dupont looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Dupont in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Dupont content to stall in guard here.
Dupont passes Rivers's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dupont throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Dupont throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Dupont in particular looking to stall.
Dupont thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Dupont throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Dupont perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Rivers actively working from the bottom here.
Dupont not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Dupont works his way into side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dupont working the ground and pound but Rivers is defending the strikes.
Rivers tries to bench press Dupont off him but Dupont keeps the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Julien Dupont dominated that round.
That's time! Dupont's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Dupont looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Dupont will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Dupont wants to control from the top but Rivers keeps moving.
Julien Dupont overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Dupont is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Dupont trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Dupont slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Rivers has eaten all the pies!
Rivers preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dupont not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Rivers is breathing heavily.

Rivers looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Dupont gets to his feet - Rivers follows without any prompting.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A low kick from Dupont misses

and Rivers counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Dupont!
Dupont is trying to control Rivers's posture but Rivers avoids it.
Dupont manages to work his way to half guard, despite Rivers's best efforts.

Dupont is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rivers pulls his head out easily.
Dupont regains full guard. Nicely done.
Rivers tries to free his leg and advance position but Dupont is retaining full guard.

Rivers avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Dupont is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rivers can do to turn this around?
Dupont is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivers trying to control but Dupont is working from the bottom.
Rivers tries to free his leg and advance position but Dupont is retaining full guard.
Dupont looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rivers is one step ahead there.
Rivers wants to control from the top but Dupont keeps moving.
Rivers postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dupont is adopting a defensive guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Dupont continues to stall.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Rivers avoids the head kick by Dupont.

Dupont rushes Rivers and presses him up against the cage.

Dupont gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Rivers is refusing to be controlled, as Dupont sits in half guard.
Dupont uses his free foot to push down on Rivers's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Rivers.
Rivers is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivers tries to control Dupont's body but Dupont pushes him off. Rivers squirms to his side and now Dupont has his back!
Dupont is hanging on to Rivers's back as he tries to escape.
Dupont struggling to land strikes to the head as Rivers covers up.

Dupont is working for a rear naked choke. Rivers is not defending it well and Dupont has tightened it up quickly! This could be all over! Rivers refuses to tap and goes to sleep, forcing the referee to intervene. A little trickle of blood came out of Rivers's nose as his head slumped to the floor. That is naaaasty!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:47 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Julien Dupont!