PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Samoa Joe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joey Rigatoni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Joe
vs
Rigatoni

179 cm
26
195 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

172 cm
23
184 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Samoa Joe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Joey Rigatoni!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Yves DeLean and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Joe drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Joe is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Rigatoni is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Joe scoring with punches from side control.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Joe cracks Rigatoni with a big elbow.
Joe is working Rigatoni over with some ground and pound from side control.
Rigatoni tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rigatoni is trying to control Joe's posture but Joe avoids it.
Rigatoni manages to work his way to half guard, despite Joe's best efforts.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Joe is working for a kimura but Rigatoni is defending it quite comfortably.
Joe 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.
Rigatoni on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Joe throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rigatoni tries to roll over but Joe keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joe is pressing down on Rigatoni's thigh, looking to free his foot. Rigatoni is holding on for now.
Rigatoni wants to get back to full guard.
Rigatoni regains full guard. Nicely done.
Joe scoring with some ground and pound.
Joe stands up over Rigatoni, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Rigatoni looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Joe throwing strikes from guard but Rigatoni blocks nicely.
Rigatoni wants to stand but Joe is controlling the position.
Rigatoni looks gassed!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Joe lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Joe working some strikes from top position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Joe accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joe wants to control from the top but Rigatoni keeps moving.
Joe passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Joe wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rigatoni keeps working.
Joe laying and praying for a moment but Rigatoni takes advantage and regains half guard.
Joe is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Joe passes to full mount!
Joe landing punches.

Rigatoni is flailing around, obviously not happy about being mounted. Joe locks hold of one of his arms and spins for an armbar. He's got it! Rigatoni is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:05 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Samoa Joe!