PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Bret Hill (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jorge Riviera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hill comes to the cage accompanied by Wanted Dead Or Alive by Bon Jovi. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Hill
vs
Riviera

160 cm
26
145 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

165 cm
25
148 lbs
18 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Experienced

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bret Hill!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jorge Riviera!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, John Roberts and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Riviera pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hill shoots for a double leg takedown but Riviera sprawls well. He's pushed Hill's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hill fails with the takedown.
Hill doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hill takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bret Hill. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hill falls off balance throwing a combination
letting Riviera counter with a right hand.

Hill shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Riviera is trying to defend but Hill finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Hill 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 one minute gone in the round.

Hill is working for a submission of some sort.
Riviera is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hill not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's two 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.

Hill 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.
Riviera is holding on to half guard well.
Hill is looking to advance position but Riviera won't allow it.

Hill seems to be working for a kimura but Riviera defends the submission attempt.

Hill seems to be looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hill throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hill thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Riviera's head.
Hill passes the guard and advances to mount!
Hill throwing strikes here but Riviera is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Hill lands a nice shot to the head.
Poor strikes thrown by Hill there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

Hill jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Riviera is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Riviera and Hill has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The strikes coming from Hill are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Hill misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

Hill is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Riviera has escaped the position, nice work there.
Riviera tries to improve position but can't.

Hill tries for a kimura but Riviera is defending well.

Hill is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Riviera knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Bret Hill will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hill throws a left and a right that both miss
and Riviera counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hill shoots and misses
and Riviera counters with a stiff right hand.
Jab, jab by Riviera - just one landing.
Hill throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hill takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Riviera misses with a right hand

and Hill counters with a nice double leg into side control. Riviera won't be happy with that.
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!
Riviera avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Hill.
The ground and pound from Hill seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

Hill is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Riviera knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riviera wants to control but Hill postures up.

Hill is trying to get an arm triangle but Riviera is defending well.

Hill is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Riviera is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Hill is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Riviera knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Riviera wants to control but Hill postures up.
Hill sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Riviera is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

Hill tries for a kimura but Riviera is defending well.
Riviera wants to control but Hill postures up.
Riviera tries to bench press Hill off him but Hill keeps the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hill with the ground and pound but Riviera regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Hill 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.
Hill thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hill throwing shots but Riviera is blocking nicely.
Riviera avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hill.

Hill is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Riviera sees it coming and defends easily.
Hill wants to advance to full mount but Riviera doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.

Hill has gone for a leg lock! Riviera slips out almost immediately though and dives into Hill's guard.
Riviera wants to control from the top but Hill keeps moving.

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.
Riviera 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.
Hill working a defensive guard here.
Riviera is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Hill is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Riviera is defending against the submission attempts here by Hill.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jorge Riviera will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Hill fails with the takedown.
Riviera rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hill counters with a nice body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hill falls off balance throwing a combination
and Riviera counters with a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riviera misses with a double jab

and Hill counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Hill wants to work for an arm triangle but Riviera is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Riviera is defending against the submission attempts here by Hill.
Riviera avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hill.

Hill is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Riviera defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riviera trying to hold on to Hill's head to control him but Hill postures up.

Hill is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Hill takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Hill is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Riviera sees it coming and defends easily.

Hill is trying to work for a kimura but Riviera is defending well.

Hill is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riviera wants to get back to full guard.

Hill is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Riviera is just riding it out for now. Hill eventually gives up the hold.

Hill wants to work for an arm triangle but Riviera is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

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.

Hill wants to work for an arm triangle but Riviera is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Riviera wants to improve his position but Hill is controlling well.
Riviera wants to control but Hill is keeping busy.
Riviera won't allow Hill to pass to mount.

Hill is looking for a kimura but Riviera is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hill to get the leverage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Hill is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Riviera trying to control but Hill postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bret Hill clearly takes that 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.

Riviera rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hill connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

Hill decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Hill is looking to stall here but Riviera recovers full guard.

Hill drops back, looking for a kneebar! Riviera looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Riviera looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Riviera!
Hill tries to strike but it doesn't land.
Hill is trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hill manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Hill not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Hill 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.
Riviera regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's two 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.

Hill drops back, looking for a kneebar! Riviera looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Riviera looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Riviera!
Hill manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Riviera is defending against the submission attempts here by Hill.
Hill thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hill is keen to just control but Riviera is a slippery customer.
Riviera keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Hill is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Riviera has managed to free his arm - good work.

Hill seems to be working for a kimura but Riviera defends the submission attempt.
Hill prevents Riviera from improving his 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.

Hill is working for a kimura but Riviera is defending it quite comfortably.

Hill is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Hill is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Riviera has managed to free his arm - good work.
Riviera keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bret Hill had his way with Jorge Riviera in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

An inside leg kick lands from Riviera.
Riviera throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hill has a takedown stuffed.
Riviera lands with a thumping leg kick.
Riviera throws an overhand right that lands on Hill's shoulder, as Hill tries to avoid the shot.
Riviera pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Riviera.
Hill fails with the takedown
and Riviera counters with a good low kick that Hill was not able to check.
Riviera lands a jab-cross combination.

It looks like Bret Hill has been cut.
Riviera stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Riviera wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bret Hill. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Riviera scores with a jab.
Bret Hill is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hill throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hill walks straight into a right hand from Riviera - that's dropped him! Riviera jumps into mount and starts pounding away - can he finish?! More strikes go undefended and the referee has to dive in to save Hill from any more punishment! Hill complains about the stoppage but falls over as he tries to stand back up, so it was clearly a good stoppage.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:20 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Jorge Riviera!