PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brandon Rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ashley Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Brandon Rivera has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rivera
vs
Smith

195 cm
22
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
22
266 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Brandon Rivera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ashley Smith!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Marco Blurström and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Smith misses with an uppercut. Rivera saw that one coming.
Rivera misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt

and Rivera counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Smith is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Rivera pulls his head out easily.
Rivera lands strikes from half guard.

Rivera seems to be working for a kimura but Smith defends the submission attempt.
Rivera controlling the pace.

Rivera stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Smith to get to his feet.
Rivera closes this distance looking for a takedown but Smith circles away.
Smith throws an overhand right that lands on Rivera's shoulder, as Rivera tries to avoid the shot.
Smith swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Smith jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Smith throws a lazy uppercut

and Rivera counters with a takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rivera wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Smith is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Smith looks gassed!
Rivera looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Smith with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Smith with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Smith wants to get back to his feet.

Rivera is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Smith is just riding it out for now. Rivera eventually gives up the hold.
Smith gets back to full guard.
Rivera lands a couple of digs.
Rivera preventing the sweep.
Smith working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rivera.
Rivera wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.
Rivera scoring with punches to the head and body.
Rivera knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Smith on the ground.

Rivera stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Rivera bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Rivera is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Smith has escaped the position, nice work there.
Smith manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Smith manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Rivera gets to his feet. Smith looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Rivera misses with a two punch combination.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt

and Rivera counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smith wants to sweep but no luck.
Rivera would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Rivera trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rivera passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rivera wants to lay and pray for a moment but Smith keeps working.
Smith is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Rivera's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Smith trying to hold on to Rivera's head to control him but Rivera postures up.
Rivera working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Smith's thigh. Smith counters though and makes it back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rivera wants to pass the guard but Smith is keeping the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Rivera wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rivera working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Rivera trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Smith working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rivera doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rivera manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rivera has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Rivera showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Smith working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Rivera has passed into half guard!
Rivera lands strikes from half guard.
Rivera wants to lay and pray for a moment but Smith keeps working.
Smith is looking for a sweep. Rivera is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Smith wants to get back to his feet.
Smith on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Smith is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rivera's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rivera's back!
Will Smith go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith keeps control of the position as Rivera tries to break free.
Smith is landing big shots and Rivera is squirming looking to escape! He can't escape though and the ref jumps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ashley Smith!