PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bo Aarons (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marco Rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Marco Rivera has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Bo Aarons's chin.

Aarons
vs
Rivera

190 cm
19
196 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

185 cm
22
210 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bo Aarons!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Marco Rivera!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Robert Douchet and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aarons changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rivera tries to avoid it but Aarons manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rivera to the ground. Rivera escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Aarons avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Bo Aarons seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rivera is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Aarons shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Aarons is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Rivera is looking for a sweep. Aarons is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Aarons looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Aarons escapes and gets back to his feet.
Aarons shoots in looking for a takedown. Rivera tries to sprawl out of it but Aarons keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rivera manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Aarons fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bo Aarons. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera is looking to clinch but Aarons is avoiding it.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Rivera breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Aarons throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rivera's waist but Rivera gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Aarons off to one side.
Rivera shoots in but Aarons avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Aarons tries for a takedown but Rivera circles away easily

and Rivera counters with a nice double leg into side control. Aarons won't be happy with that.
Aarons is breathing heavily.
Aarons is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Rivera controls the position.
Aarons is looking for a sweep.

Rivera thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Rivera stands up and beckons Aarons to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivera tries to close the distance and clinch but Aarons swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rivera gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Aarons counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Aarons.
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!
Rivera manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Rivera scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Aarons gets back to half guard.

Aarons kicks off Rivera and gets to his feet.

Aarons shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Aarons stands and steps away. Rivera gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Aarons has his takedown stuffed
and Rivera counters with a left to the body.
Aarons throws a combination. Rivera tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Aarons misses with a takedown attempt - Rivera sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Aarons gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aarons changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rivera fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Aarons feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Aarons has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Aarons would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Aarons avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Aarons stands up and waves to Rivera to follow him.

Rivera clinches with his opponent.
Aarons tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Rivera manages to break the clinch.
Aarons shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rivera tries to clinch but Aarons is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivera looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Aarons is fending him off so far but Rivera persists. Nope, Aarons circles away and we're back to standing.
Rivera lands with a kick to the temple. Aarons shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Aarons misses with a few strikes there.

Aarons looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Rivera moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rivera looking for a sweep. Not yet Rivera, not yet.

Aarons is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Rivera is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Rivera has escaped and now he's on top!
Rivera wants to control from the top but Aarons keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Aarons wants to get back to his feet but Rivera is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Aarons working for a triangle but Rivera defends it easily.
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 Bo Aarons will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Aarons shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rivera as he avoids it easily.
Aarons fails with the takedown

so Rivera counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Aarons keeping moving, preventing Rivera from controlling successfully.
Rivera tries to stand but Aarons is controlling from the bottom.

Aarons working for a triangle but Rivera defends it easily.
Bo Aarons overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rivera postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Aarons wants to sweep here but Rivera controlling him for the moment.
Rivera pushes down on Aarons's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Rivera connects with a nice short shot to Aarons's temple.
Aarons has hold of Rivera's hands but Rivera slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Rivera working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Rivera is trying to control the action in half guard but Aarons is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Rivera 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.

Rivera decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Rivera tries to clinch up

and Aarons counters with a takedown into side control.
Aarons knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rivera on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Check out the look on Aarons's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

Aarons looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Aarons tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Aarons has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Rivera stops Aarons from passing to mount.
Aarons trying to control the action but Rivera is working from the bottom.
Aarons scores with a couple of short elbows.

Aarons has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aarons rushes Rivera and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Aarons fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bo Aarons. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aarons tries to pull guard but Rivera holds him up against the cage and eventually Aarons drops back down to his feet.
Rivera is looking to break free of the clinch but Aarons has double underhooks.
Aarons tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Rivera just stands there and leans against the cage.
Aarons prevents a body shot from Rivera.
Aarons jumps guard but Rivera stands there with Aarons around his waist. Aarons gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Aarons tries to pull guard but Rivera won't allow it.
Aarons fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Aarons jumps guard but Rivera stands there with Aarons around his waist. Aarons gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Aarons tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Rivera escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Aarons shoots and misses

and Rivera holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Aarons jumps guard but Rivera stands there with Aarons around his waist. Aarons gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Rivera has picked Aarons up - he's going for a ride! Rivera dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Rivera winds up and cracks Aarons with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Aarons is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aarons is controlling Rivera's trapped leg to prevent Rivera from advancing to side control.
Aarons pushes Rivera off looking to stand but Rivera dives back in and keeps control.

Aarons makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Aarons with a lazy takedown attempt

and Rivera counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Rivera.
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!

Aarons had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Rivera is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Aarons Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Rivera's back instead.
Rivera turns into Aarons and is now in his guard.
Rivera connects with a couple of short punches.
Rivera wants to control from the top but Aarons keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rivera advances to half guard.

Rivera 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marco Rivera showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rivera looks to clinch

and Aarons counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Rivera looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Aarons missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rivera looking for a sweep. Not yet Rivera, not yet.
Aarons has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Rivera is proving hard to escape from.
Rivera striking off his back but it's not causing Aarons any problems.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rivera is on top in guard.

Aarons looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Rivera has picked Aarons up and slammed him! Aarons can't keep hold of the triangle and Rivera manages to pass to side control!

Rivera is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Aarons knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Aarons is looking to reverse the position.
Rivera takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aarons is working hard here to advance position.
Aarons sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Aarons has one foot on Rivera's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Aarons misses with a jab, cross combination.
Aarons shoots for a double leg takedown but Rivera sprawls well. He's pushed Aarons's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Aarons looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Rivera flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Aarons tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Rivera tries to get to full guard but Aarons has control of the leg.
Rivera is in trouble now - Aarons has advanced to mount!
Rivera can't escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivera regains half guard.
Rivera manages to get to full guard.
Aarons in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Aarons postures up.
Aarons wants to control from the top but Rivera keeps moving.

Aarons is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Rivera is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Aarons slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivera gets back to half guard.

Aarons is working for a submission of some sort.
Aarons is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Aarons tries to pass to full mount but Rivera defends it.
Aarons thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Rivera is pressing down on Aarons's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Rivera manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Rivera with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aarons is trying to escape the mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Aarons regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Bo Aarons did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Aarons throws a head kick that misses
and Rivera counters with a nice body kick.
Aarons has a takedown stuffed.
Aarons misses with a wild body shot.
Aarons shoots in for a double leg but Rivera sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Aarons shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Rivera counters with a takedown into side control.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bo Aarons. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rivera wants to control but Aarons is keeping him busy.
You can see the frustration on Aarons's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Rivera is looking to take a break and control but Aarons is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Aarons throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Rivera is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Aarons shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Rivera counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rivera.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aarons wants a takedown but no success here.

Aarons manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Aarons preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Aarons wants to control the position but Rivera says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Rivera tries to pass the half guard into mount. Aarons knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Aarons trying to control from the bottom.
Still in half guard, Rivera seems content to control.
Aarons wants to improve his position but Rivera is controlling well.
Aarons wants to get back to his feet.
Rivera wants to control but Aarons is keeping him busy.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Aarons changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rivera tries to avoid it but Aarons manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rivera to the ground. Rivera escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Aarons shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Aarons postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Rivera is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Aarons, into his guard.
Rivera trying to control but Aarons is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivera trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Aarons is trying to keep Rivera in close.
Rivera slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Aarons sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Aarons is trying to stand up here but Rivera is controlling him well.

Rivera is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Rivera tries to pass the half guard into mount. Aarons knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivera is tying to control. Aarons wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Aarons pushes Rivera off looking to stand but Rivera dives back in and keeps control.
Aarons is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Aarons looking for submissions off his back.
Aarons tries to roll over but Rivera keeps him under control.
The fighters are battling for position here. Aarons manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Aarons is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rivera controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Aarons has momentary wrist control but Rivera slips an elbow through the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rivera drops back looking for a leg! Aarons is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Aarons manages to kick Rivera off! Rivera jumps back into Aarons's guard.
Rivera passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Rivera looks up at the clock and then as Aarons takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Rivera smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

Rivera tries for a kimura but Aarons is defending well.
Rivera is working Aarons over with some ground and pound from side control.
Aarons on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Aarons is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Rivera is in a dominant position here, looking for a kimura. Aarons looks calm but he's in trouble here. Rivera gets his leg over his opponent's head and yanks on the arm. Aarons is tapping like a morse code operator on the titanic! SOS! SOS! Rivera lets go of the hold and Aarons can pop his arm back in it's socket.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Marco Rivera!
Marco Rivera is the new light heavyweight champion!