PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Don Riles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Omid Babak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Omid Babak is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Riles
vs
Babak

191 cm
25
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

168 cm
24
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Don Riles!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Omid Babak!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Babak closes the distance and clinches.
Babak is working for takedown but Riles is calmly controlling the position for now.
Riles prevents the takedown attempt.

Riles's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Babak avoids a punch combination nicely.
Don Riles seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Riles moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
A nice combination there by Riles.
Babak shoots in for a double leg but Riles sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Don Riles has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Omid Babak.
Riles lands a nice leg kick that just misses Babak's sensitive parts.
Riles fails to land with a series of punches.
Riles throws a combination. Babak tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Riles really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
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!
Babak on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Riles. Riles obviously looking to wear him down.
Riles fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Babak has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Babak avoids a punch combination nicely.
An inside leg kick lands from Riles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riles avoids the head kick by Babak.
Riles shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Babak eats them both and turns towards Riles to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Riles lands a leg kick that knocks Babak off balance momentarily.
A punch combination from Riles misses.
Riles is looking to slow Babak down with leg kicks.
Babak avoids a punch combination nicely.
Babak shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Some wild striking there from Riles.
Babak tries to clinch up but Riles circles away and keeps his distance.
Riles throws a right and a left that Babak avoids nicely.
Riles fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Babak has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Riles.
An inside leg kick lands from Riles.
Riles connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
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!

Babak fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Riles to the ground. Babak is now in Riles's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Babak 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.
Riles is breathing heavily.
Babak is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Babak wants to pass the guard but Riles is keeping the position.
Riles will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Babak sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Babak trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Babak sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Babak's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Riles swings away with a leg kick that misses.
No joy there for Riles, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Babak doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Babak checks a low kick from Riles.
Babak fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Riles avoids it really well and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Riles keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Riles keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Good leg kick by Riles there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Riles fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Riles throws a leg kick which misses Babak's front leg but catches the back leg as Babak tries to avoid it.
Riles lands a nice leg kick that just misses Babak's sensitive parts.
Riles does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Riles works over Babak's head and body with a nice combination.
Babak dodges the punch combination from Riles.
Babak blocks a leg kick.
Babak is looking to clinch but Riles is avoiding it.

Babak closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Babak lands in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Babak postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Don Riles dominated 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.

Babak tries a head kick but it misses.
Riles buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Riles misses with a few strikes there.
Babak is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Riles pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Babak back to the cage. Riles follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

Babak scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Still in half guard, Babak seems content to control.
More stalling from Babak.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Babak stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Riles to get to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Riles misses.
Babak is looking for the big counter here.
Riles fails to land with a series of punches.
Babak dodges the punch combination from Riles.
Babak replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Riles blocks it well.
Don Riles is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Babak takes a swing at Riles's ribcage but misses.
Riles is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Babak can do to turn this around?
Babak on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Riles. Riles obviously looking to wear him down.
Don Riles is winning the standup battle so far.
Riles avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Riles throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A solid leg kick lands there for Riles.

Babak closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Riles's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Babak slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Riles keeping full guard, as Babak tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riles wants to get back to his feet but Babak is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Riles keeping moving, preventing Babak from controlling successfully.
Babak is looking to work some ground and pound but Riles has wrist control.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riles keeping moving, preventing Babak from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Riles misses with a two punch combination.
Babak's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Riles finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Babak throws a big counter head kick but Riles avoids it with no problem.
Don Riles is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Babak goes for a double leg but Riles avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Riles continues to drive forward.
Babak looks for a takedown but Riles sprawls well.
Babak throws a low kick but it's checked well by Riles.
Riles misses with a wild combination.
Riles lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Babak circles away quickly and effectively.
Babak darts in looking for a takedown but Riles gets double underhooks and turns Babak into the cage.
Riles is looking for a counter combo.
Don Riles has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Omid Babak.
Babak tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Riles swivels and escapes.
No joy there for Babak, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Babak checks the leg kick.
Babak tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Riles paws at him with a jab and circles away.
An inside leg kick lands from Riles.
Babak stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Riles.
Babak is looking to clinch but Riles is avoiding it.
Babak fails in his attempt to clinch.
Riles throws a series of punches but Babak moves out of range.
Riles connects with a leg kick. Babak looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Babak shoots for a double leg takedown but Riles sprawls well. He's pushed Babak's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Riles swinging wildly here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Riles misses with a wild combination.
Riles throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Babak dodges the punch combination from Riles.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Don Riles dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Babak misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Riles throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Babak.
Riles with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Riles throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sloppy strikes from Riles. Those never looked like landing.
Riles lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Babak circles away quickly and effectively.
Babak shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Riles as he avoids it easily.
Riles misses with the combination.
Riles stuffs the takedown attempt from Babak. Babak gets slowly back to his feet.
Don Riles has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Omid Babak.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Riles lands a leg kick that knocks Babak off balance momentarily.
Babak blocks a leg kick.
Riles slaps away a takedown attempt from Babak, before circling back to the center of the mat.
It looked like Riles was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riles throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Riles looks to land a combination but Babak avoids it well.
Riles keeps the fight on the outside.
Riles misses with a double jab.
An inside leg kick from Riles misses.
Riles avoids a kick to the body.
A low kick from Riles is predictable there

and Babak holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Babak avoids a wild elbow strike from Riles.
Babak is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Riles is defending well.
Babak jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Riles walks away with a smile on his face. Babak gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Riles tries to bum rush Babak with a series of wild strikes but Babak uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Babak throws a hook to the side of Riles's head but Riles sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Babak.
Riles is pushing Babak's head away, looking to escape. Babak manages to hold on to the position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Babak decides to stand up, so the ref orders Riles to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Babak tries a head kick but it misses.
Babak dodges the punch combination from Riles.
A combination from Babak does no damage.
Babak shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Riles but Riles pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Riles is looking for a counter combo.
Babak shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Riles defends it nicely.
Riles went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
An inside leg kick lands from Riles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riles thumps Babak with a low kick.
Babak misses with a takedown attempt - Riles sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Riles displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Babak.
Riles misses with a few strikes there.
Riles misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A combination from Riles does no damage.
Some bone on bone action there as Babak checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Riles misses with a series of wild punches.
Riles swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
As Riles backs off Babak throws a huge counter combo but Riles manages to avoid it all.
Babak throws a head kick that misses.
Babak looks to land a body kick but Riles moved away.
Babak tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Riles swivels and escapes.
Riles went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riles circles away from the clinch attempt.
It looked like Riles was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Riles lands with a thumping leg kick.
Riles swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Babak is looking to clinch but Riles is avoiding it.
Riles throws a right hand that Babak ducks under and follows up with a left that Babak also avoids with ease.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Babak fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Don Riles is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Babak tries to throw a body punch but Riles avoids it by throwing Babak back against the cage.

Babak pulls guard effortlessly.
Omid Babak has got the better of the ground game so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Riles stops Babak from standing up.
Omid Babak has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Riles got a little sloppy there for a moment and Babak has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Riles has managed to get both his arms back between Babak's legs - danger averted.

And that's the end of the fight!
Don Riles showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Riles, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Don Riles!
After the fight, Don Riles was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.