PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Manol Sirakov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Victor Rivero (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.

Sirakov
vs
Rivero

180 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
25
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Manol Sirakov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Victor Rivero!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, John Mangel and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Sirakov.

Sirakov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rivero has escaped the position, nice work there.
Sirakov trying to control the position but Rivero is working away.
Rivero tries to improve position but can't.
Rivero is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Sirakov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rivero has managed to free his arm - good work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rivero is trying to get back to full guard.
Sirakov is controlling the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Sirakov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Rivero sees it coming and defends easily.
Sirakov not doing much here.
Rivero pushes Sirakov off looking to stand but Sirakov dives back in and keeps control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Rivero is trying to get back to full guard.
Rivero is staying active underneath Sirakov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Rivero wants to get back to full guard.

Sirakov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Rivero sees it coming and defends easily.
Sirakov controlling the action here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Sirakov gets a takedown into half guard.

Rivero kicks off Sirakov and gets to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sirakov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sirakov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Sirakov tries to keep at a distance but Rivero has taken the fight into the clinch.

Sirakov turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Sirakov is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Rivero knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Rivero is not content to let Sirakov control the position.
Sirakov is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sirakov is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Rivero is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Rivero is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Sirakov's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Rivero tries to get to full guard but Sirakov has control of the leg.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rivero controlling the position well.
Sirakov is thwarting Rivero's attempts to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Victor Rivero will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Sirakov shoots in and bounces Rivero off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Rivero keeping moving, preventing Sirakov from controlling successfully.
Rivero being controlled here, momentarily.
Sirakov trying to control the position from guard on top but Rivero is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rivero wants to sweep but no luck.
Sirakov is pushing down on Rivero's leg trying to pass to half guard. Rivero is fighting to maintain full guard but Sirakov has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sirakov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Sirakov wants to pass the guard but Rivero is defending well.
Rivero is trying to control but can't.

Sirakov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rivero doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Sirakov.
Rivero wants to control but Sirakov is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Sirakov seems to be looking for submissions.
Rivero wants to get back to his feet.
Rivero is trying to control but can't.
Sirakov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Rivero gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Rivero not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rivero keeping moving, preventing Sirakov from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivero will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Rivero bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sirakov's guard.

Rivero avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rivero wants to stand but Sirakov has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Sirakov is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Sirakov wants to get back to his feet but Rivero is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Rivero trying to control the position from guard on top but Sirakov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Sirakov is looking for a triangle but Rivero pushes his legs off easily.
Rivero advances to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rivero frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Rivero prevents Sirakov from getting the reversal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manol Sirakov dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Sirakov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Sirakov drives through with a takedown into Rivero's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Rivero thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Rivero trying to control the position.
Manol Sirakov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sirakov trying to control but Rivero is working from the bottom.
Rivero wants to stand but Sirakov is controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rivero has his foot on Sirakov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sirakov works his way back into a safe position though.
Sirakov passes Rivero's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Sirakov trying to pass the guard but Rivero defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivero is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sirakov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Sirakov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Sirakov drops an elbow to the side of Rivero's head.
Sirakov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rivero keeps working.
Well, if Sirakov is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Sirakov wants to advance to full mount but Rivero doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Sirakov trying to control the position from guard on top but Rivero is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rivero is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Rivero throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Sirakov was covering up waiting for the punch and Rivero finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Sirakov pulls Rivero in to control the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivero trying to control the position from guard on top but Sirakov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Rivero avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sirakov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rivero is one step ahead there.
Rivero trying to stand up but can't free himself from Sirakov's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Rivero won't allow Sirakov to sweep him here.
Rivero content to stall in guard here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Sirakov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Rivero cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Rivero has managed to clinch.
Rivero prevents the takedown attempt.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Sirakov has Rivero pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Sirakov pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Rivero tumbling to the mat - Sirakov dives into Rivero's guard.
Rivero is trying to control the position from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Victor Rivero.
I think Rivero 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 Ron Honeybunn scores the fight for Victor Rivero!
Judge John Mangel scores the fight for Manol Sirakov!
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight for Manol Sirakov!

Manol Sirakov wins by split decision!