PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Pedro Riviera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and damian tyrer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Riviera
vs
tyrer

202 cm
18
136 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

155 cm
18
134 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
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 London, Pedro Riviera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, damian tyrer!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Donald Grub and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Riviera closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Riviera trying to control the position but tyrer is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
You can see the frustration on tyrer's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Riviera wants to stand but tyrer is controlling his arm.

Riviera stands up and beckons tyrer to his feet.
Riviera shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

tyrer drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
tyrer is looking to take a break and control but Riviera is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

tyrer is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Riviera has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riviera is trying to improve his position.
Riviera knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for tyrer on the ground.
Riviera pushes tyrer away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, tyrer gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Riviera really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
tyrer wants to control but Riviera is keeping him busy.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Riviera manages to get back to half guard.
tyrer should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

tyrer is trying to work for a kimura but Riviera is defending well.
tyrer looks gassed!

tyrer is looking for a kimura here.
Riviera misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riviera is trying to maintain the position but tyrer is very close to passing his half guard.
tyrer blocks the strikes from Riviera.
Riviera is looking for a sweep. tyrer is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Riviera is looking to escape.
Riviera tries to roll over but tyrer keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Riviera fails in his attempt to clinch.

Riviera closes the distance and clinches.

Riviera pulls guard.
Riviera keeping moving, preventing tyrer from controlling successfully.
Riviera tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Riviera trying to strike off his back.
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 Pedro Riviera will probably get the nod.
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.

The fight stays on the outside here - Riviera looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Riviera shoots and misses

and tyrer counters with a takedown into side control.
Riviera is not content to let tyrer control the position.
Riviera tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.

tyrer is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
tyrer is riding his opponent, not letting Riviera buck him off.
tyrer is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

tyrer has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Riviera has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Riviera turns into tyrer and is now in his guard.
Riviera will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Riviera trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Riviera is pushing down on tyrer's leg trying to pass to half guard. tyrer is fighting to maintain full guard but Riviera has managed to sneak the leg through.

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.
Riviera is tying to control. tyrer wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Riviera looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
tyrer is controlling Riviera's trapped leg to prevent Riviera from advancing to side control.

tyrer looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
tyrer is trying to control but Riviera manages to pass to mount!
Riviera takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riviera tries to control but tyrer wriggling away.
Riviera breaks from tyrer's wrist control and lands an elbow.
tyrer wants to hold on but Riviera pushes him away.
Riviera tries to control but tyrer wriggling away.

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.
tyrer is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Riviera is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but tyrer is surviving well by controlling Riviera's body position as best he can.
Riviera punishing his opponent with strikes.
tyrer can't escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

damian tyrer showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Riviera misses with a takedown

and tyrer counters with a shoot takedown. Riviera fights it but they end up in guard.
Riviera manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Riviera working away from the top, dropping strikes.
tyrer tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Riviera avoids the attempt from tyrer to control.
tyrer is looking to improve his position but Riviera isn't that keen on the idea.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riviera working away from the top, dropping strikes.
tyrer tries to hold on but Riviera postures up.
tyrer is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Riviera is staying active.
A nice elbow there by Riviera.
Riviera with a couple of short strikes.
tyrer tries to hold on but Riviera postures up.

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.
tyrer working to try and regain half guard.
tyrer tries to lock up and control but Riviera gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Riviera is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Riviera prevents tyrer from getting the reversal.
tyrer is squirming around, avoiding Riviera's attempts to control the action.
Riviera with the ground and pound from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riviera looking to control but tyrer is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
tyrer tries to hold on but Riviera postures up.
tyrer really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Riviera looking for a guillotine from mount but tyrer is having none of it.
tyrer can't escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
tyrer is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
tyrer takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Riviera looking to control but tyrer is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Riviera is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. tyrer can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A nice elbow there by Riviera.
tyrer wants to hold on but Riviera pushes him away.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to damian tyrer.
I think tyrer has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... damian tyrer!