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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Valentino Riley (ranked 3841 p4p, 2924 weight class) and Mauricio Zhang (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Riley comes to the cage accompanied by Valentino. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!
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| 180 cm
25
178
0 - 0 - 0 |
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184 cm
25
181
4 - 1 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin |
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BJJ White Belt
World class boxer
Heavy handed |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Valentino Riley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mauricio Zhang!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, George Francis and Cecil Peabody.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Riley shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Zhang is trying to defend but Riley finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Riley is nestled in close to Zhang, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Riley trying to control the action but Zhang is working from the bottom.
Riley is looking for a kimura but Zhang is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Riley to get the leverage.
Riley landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Riley is trying a forearm choke� I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Zhang avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Riley.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Riley looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Riley is trying to work for a kimura but Zhang is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhang keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Zhang tries to roll over but Riley keeps him under control.
Zhang trying to hold on to Riley's head to control him but Riley postures up.
Riley is keen to just control but Zhang is a slippery customer.
Riley wants to work for an arm triangle but Zhang is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Riley is looking for a kimura but Zhang is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Riley to get the leverage.
Riley is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Zhang doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Riley.
Zhang blocking the ground and pound attempt from Riley.
That's two 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.
Zhang is not content to let Riley control the position.
Riley is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Riley is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Riley looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riley thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Zhang's head.
Zhang really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Riley. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Zhang on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Zhang can do anything to dispel that myth.
Zhang is staying active underneath Riley, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zhang keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Riley is trying a forearm choke� I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Riley looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Riley is looking for a kimura here.
Riley seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Zhang does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Riley seems to be looking for submissions.
Riley 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.
Zhang is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Riley scores with a couple of nice shots.
Riley is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Zhang has managed to free his arm - good work.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Riley thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Valentino Riley dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
A swing and a miss from Zhang.
Zhang misses with a looping left.
Zhang throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Zhang throws a lazy uppercut
and Riley counters with an inside leg kick.
Zhang misses with a straight left.
Riley connects with a leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Riley looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Zhang missing with a left hand there. Riley was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Zhang throws an off balance right hand
and Riley counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Riley is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zhang can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Riley shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Riley is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Zhang's half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Riley missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhang is doing well to control the position and prevent Riley from advancing to side control.
Riley throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Riley is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Zhang has managed to free his arm - good work.
Riley is trying to work for a kimura but Zhang is defending well.
Riley wants to control but Zhang is keeping him busy.
Zhang is defending against the submission attempts here by Riley.
Riley seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Zhang does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Riley seems to be looking for submissions.
Riley is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Zhang doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Riley.
Zhang is trying to get back to full guard.
Riley throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Riley is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhang is defending against the submission attempts here by Riley.
Zhang keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Riley is trying a forearm choke� I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Riley is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Riley decides to stand and escape the position.
That's four 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.
A jab from Zhang misses.
Zhang throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Riley takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Riley closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Zhang to the mat! Zhang manages to get full guard.
Riley drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Riley jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Riley throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Valentino Riley overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Riley advances position into side control!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Riley is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Zhang knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Riley misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Valentino Riley dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!
Riley moves out of range of the strikes.
Riley shoots and misses
and Zhang counters with a straight right hand.
Zhang misses with an uppercut. Riley saw that one coming.
Riley dives in and scores a takedown into Zhang's guard.
Riley working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Zhang looking to hit a scissor sweep but Riley is one step ahead there.
Riley throwing strikes but missing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zhang keeping moving, preventing Riley from controlling successfully.
Riley sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Zhang's guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Riley is looking to stall here but Zhang recovers full guard.
Riley works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Riley is thwarting Zhang's attempts to control the position.
Zhang is trying to get back to full guard.
Zhang is trying to maintain the position but Riley is very close to passing his half guard.
Riley is trying to work for a kimura but Zhang is defending well.
Riley thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Riley is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Riley is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Zhang has managed to free his arm - good work.
Riley wants to pass to mount but Zhang is defending the position.
Riley is trying to work for a kimura but Zhang is defending well.
Zhang wants to improve his position but Riley is controlling well.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhang is staying active underneath Riley, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Riley is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Riley seems to be looking for submissions.
Valentino Riley is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Riley in particular looking to stall.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Riley looks for a takedown but Zhang sprawls well.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Zhang misses with a looping left.
Riley tries to clinch but Zhang moves out of range.
Zhang swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Riley moves in looking to clinch but Zhang pushes him off.
Riley has his takedown stuffed
and Riley takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Valentino Riley. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zhang jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Zhang lands with a right hand.
Mauricio Zhang seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zhang keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Zhang lands with a straight right. Riley didn't see that one coming.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Zhang misses with an uppercut.
Riley throws a head kick that Zhang semi-blocks.
Riley is looking to clinch but Zhang is avoiding it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Zhang! But no joy.
Mauricio Zhang has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zhang throws an overhand right that lands on Riley's shoulder, as Riley tries to avoid the shot.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mauricio Zhang.
I think Riley has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:27
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:27
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Valentino Riley!
In his post fight interview, Valentino Riley started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
28% |
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