PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Derek Riggs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zak Zinfandel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Riggs
vs
Zinfandel

177 cm
22
168 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

171 cm
29
168 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Derek Riggs!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Zak Zinfandel!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Arvi Lind and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Riggs uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zinfandel.
Zinfandel fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Riggs manages to avoid it.
A slow jab from Riggs misses its intended target.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Riggs breaks from the clinch.
Riggs misses with a hook

and Zinfandel counters with a nice double leg into side control. Riggs won't be happy with that.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Riggs manages to get back to half guard.
Zinfandel thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Riggs's head.
Zinfandel is pressing down on Riggs's thigh, looking to free his foot. Riggs is holding on for now.
Riggs slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zinfandel tries to free his leg and advance position but Riggs is retaining full guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Riggs holds on and takes a little breather.
Zinfandel controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zinfandel working some strikes from top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Riggs keeping moving, preventing Zinfandel from controlling successfully.
Zinfandel throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Riggs is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Zinfandel missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Zinfandel postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Zinfandel trying to control the position from guard on top but Riggs is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Riggs is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Riggs circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zinfandel misses with the combination.
Zinfandel shoots for a double leg takedown but Riggs sprawls well. He's pushed Zinfandel's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Derek Riggs is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Riggs throws a shot from downtown. Zinfandel moves away and avoids it.
Zinfandel fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Riggs avoids it really well and circles away.
Riggs takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Riggs will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sloppy strikes from Riggs. Those never looked like landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zinfandel takes one to the side of the head.
Nice defenses there by Zinfandel.
Zinfandel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Riggs.
Riggs leaves Zinfandel with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Derek Riggs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zak Zinfandel.
Zinfandel bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Zinfandel ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Riggs moves away.
Zinfandel throws a leg kick that misses.
Riggs swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Riggs misses with an uppercut
and Zinfandel counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Riggs fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zinfandel manages to avoid it.
Zinfandel jabs at Riggs's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zinfandel changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Riggs looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Riggs is looking to regain half guard here but Zinfandel keeps moving and retains side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zinfandel wants to control but Riggs is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zinfandel tries to advance to mount but Riggs denies him.
Riggs is trying to control Zinfandel's posture but Zinfandel avoids it.

Zinfandel working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Riggs is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Zinfandel's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zak Zinfandel dominated that 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.

Zinfandel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Riggs.
Riggs connects with a crisp jab.
Zinfandel pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Riggs getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Riggs is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zinfandel.
Zinfandel staying out of range there.
Riggs throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Riggs connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Zinfandel throws a push kick but Riggs slaps the foot to one side.
Riggs misses the shot to the body.
Riggs scores with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zinfandel moves out of range as Riggs strikes.
Nice body punch from Riggs.
Riggs fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zinfandel manages to avoid it.
Riggs fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Zinfandel throws a head kick that misses.
Zinfandel shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Riggs as he jumps to the side.
A nice leg kick lands there from Zinfandel.
Riggs works Zinfandel's body with a nice hook.
Riggs throws a poor cross that misses
enabling Zinfandel to counter with a crisp jab.
Good exchange - Riggs coming out on top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riggs blocks the body kick.
Zinfandel's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Riggs connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Zinfandel scrambles back to his feet.
Riggs stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Riggs wants it to stay on the feet.
Zak Zinfandel is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Riggs fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Zinfandel looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Riggs pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Riggs catches Zinfandel with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Riggs throws a good cross that connects.
Zinfandel closes this distance looking for a takedown but Riggs circles away.
Derek Riggs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zak Zinfandel.
Riggs tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zinfandel was well out of range. Poor timing from Riggs.
Riggs throws the left hand but Zinfandel avoids the punch easily.
Zinfandel uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Riggs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zinfandel shoots and misses
and Riggs counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Riggs connects with a nice looking jab.
Zinfandel misses with a leg kick
and Riggs counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Zinfandel thinking.
Zinfandel takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Riggs lands with a hook. Zinfandel tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Zinfandel doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Zinfandel closes this distance looking for a takedown but Riggs circles away.
Zinfandel slips under a jab.
Riggs keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Zinfandel misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riggs lands with a shot to the body.
Zinfandel throws a leg kick
and Riggs counters with a nice uppercut.
Zinfandel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zinfandel.
Derek Riggs seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Riggs.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Riggs works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Zinfandel misses with a few strikes there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Riggs scores with a jab to the body.
Zinfandel is looking to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Derek Riggs 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.

Zinfandel is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Riggs.
Zinfandel tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zinfandel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Riggs.
Zinfandel fails with the takedown
and Riggs counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Zinfandel walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Zinfandel dodges the punch combination from Riggs.
Zinfandel tries to bum rush Riggs with a series of wild strikes but Riggs uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A jab lands there for Riggs.
Derek Riggs is winning the standup battle so far.
Riggs misses with a right hand

and Zinfandel counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riggs wants to stand but Zinfandel is controlling the position.
Zinfandel passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Riggs is looking for a sweep.
Riggs wants to get back to his feet.

Zinfandel tries for a kimura but Riggs is defending well.
Zinfandel looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Riggs is avoiding damage well.

Zinfandel thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Zinfandel misses with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riggs tries to improve position but can't.
Riggs wants to control but Zinfandel postures up.
Riggs is not content to let Zinfandel control the position.
Riggs tries to buck Zinfandel off but Zinfandel is having none of it.
Zinfandel prevents Riggs from escaping the position.
Zinfandel lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Riggs tries to bench press Zinfandel off him but Zinfandel keeps the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zinfandel moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Zinfandel scores with a couple of short elbows.
Zinfandel wants to control but Riggs is keeping him busy.
Riggs tries to buck Zinfandel off but Zinfandel is having none of it.
You can see the frustration on Riggs's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Riggs is looking to regain half guard here but Zinfandel keeps moving and retains side control.
Zinfandel is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Riggs will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Zinfandel cracks Riggs with an elbow. That is naaassty.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zinfandel throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Zak Zinfandel has got the better of the ground game so far.
Zinfandel remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Riggs regains half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Riggs keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Zinfandel is trying to control the action in half guard but Riggs is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Riggs tries to kick Zinfandel off in order to stand up. Zinfandel Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Riggs struggling a bit here.
Riggs sneaks back into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zak Zinfandel really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Zinfandel.
Riggs circles away from the clinch attempt.
Riggs waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zinfandel.
Zinfandel misses with a left hand
and Riggs makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Zinfandel takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Riggs misses the shot to the body.

Zinfandel clinches up with Riggs and pushes him back against the cage.
Zinfandel wants a takedown but no success here.

Zinfandel breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zinfandel swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Riggs throws a hook to the side of Zinfandel's head but Zinfandel sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Zinfandel walks into a stiff left hand from Riggs.
Zinfandel slips under a jab from Riggs.
Riggs cracks Zinfandel with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Riggs throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Riggs thows a body shot but no joy.
Riggs with a nice cross.
Zinfandel chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Zinfandel has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Riggs throws a right and a left that Zinfandel avoids nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zinfandel throws a head kick but Riggs moves out of range.
Jab by Riggs.
Zinfandel ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Zinfandel closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Riggs avoids the head kick by Zinfandel.
Riggs checks a low kick from Zinfandel.
Zinfandel wants to clinch
and Riggs counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Zinfandel thinking.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zinfandel tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A punch lands to the side of Zinfandel 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riggs lands a body shot.
Riggs with a jab.
Riggs fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Zinfandel has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Zinfandel looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Riggs scores with a hook.
Riggs lands with a good body shot.
Zinfandel darts in trying to clinch
and Riggs makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Riggs. Zinfandel does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riggs punishes Zinfandel's body with a nice straight punch.
Zinfandel shoots in and drives through. Riggs sprawls well.
Derek Riggs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zak Zinfandel.
Riggs moves into range and connects with a jab.
Riggs throws a hook but Zinfandel avoids it easily.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Riggs, as that shot connected.
Zinfandel avoids the body shot from Riggs.
Zinfandel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zinfandel displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Riggs throws out the jab.
Riggs defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zinfandel.
Riggs throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Derek Riggs had his way with Zak Zinfandel in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Riggs tries to keep at a distance but Zinfandel has taken the fight into the clinch.

Zinfandel jumps into guard, dragging Riggs to the mat.
Zinfandel keeping moving, preventing Riggs from controlling successfully.

Zinfandel has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Riggs can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Riggs slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Riggs wants to control from the top but Zinfandel keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Derek Riggs has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Riggs lands a lovely overhand right.
Riggs ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zinfandel moves away.
Zinfandel blocks a jab.
Zinfandel throws a head kick that misses.
Riggs stuffs the takedown.
Zinfandel wants to clinch but Riggs slips to the side
and Riggs counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Riggs thows a body shot but no joy.
Riggs throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Zinfandel stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zinfandel goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Riggs throws a right hand that misses

and Zinfandel counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Zinfandel.
Zinfandel stops Riggs from standing up.
Riggs utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Zinfandel has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zinfandel postures up in Riggs's guard and throws a big left but Riggs blocks it.
Riggs can't keep his opponent in guard - Zinfandel advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Zinfandel is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Riggs defends it well.
Zinfandel is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Zinfandel missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Zinfandel with the ground and pound but Riggs uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Riggs tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riggs wants to get back to his feet but Zinfandel is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Zinfandel accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Riggs is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Riggs keeping moving, preventing Zinfandel from controlling successfully.
Riggs is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Riggs not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Zinfandel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zinfandel not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Derek Riggs.
Riggs swings for the body but Zinfandel moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zinfandel walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Riggs lands a right hook to the body.
A slow jab from Riggs misses its intended target.
The fighters circling - Riggs throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Riggs tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zinfandel was well out of range. Poor timing from Riggs.
A jab from Riggs misses.
Riggs lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Zinfandel at a distance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Riggs avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Zinfandel shoots for a double leg takedown but Riggs sprawls well. He's pushed Zinfandel's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Zak Zinfandel.
I think Zinfandel 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 47:48
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 47:48
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zak Zinfandel!
Zak Zinfandel is the new lightweight champion!