PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Martin Riggs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikael Kappenen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Riggs's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Dre Day by DR. DRE. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Riggs
vs
Kappenen

180 cm
19
182 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

192 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Powerful

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Martin Riggs!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mikael Kappenen!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Russell Pearce and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kappenen clinches with his opponent.
Kappenen tries to land a knee to the head but Riggs blocks with his arms.
Kappenen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Riggs has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Riggs is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kappenen gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kappenen tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kappenen is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Kappenen missing with knees to the body.
Kappenen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Riggs has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Riggs takes a knee right on the jaw!
Riggs fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Martin Riggs. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kappenen misses with a knee strike.
Riggs is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kappenen is keeping busy.
Riggs doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kappenen looking to throw knees to the head but Riggs is blocking nicely.
Kappenen unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Kappenen missing with knees to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Kappenen obliges.
Riggs takes a knee to the side of the body.
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!
Kappenen throws a punch but it's blocked by Riggs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Kappenen.
Riggs tries to pull guard but Kappenen won't allow it.
Kappenen is trying to stall.
Kappenen softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Riggs is trying to pull guard but Kappenen has him pressed against the cage.
Kappenen tries to land a knee to the head but Riggs blocks with his arms.
Kappenen with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kappenen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Riggs tries to pull guard but Kappenen holds him up against the cage and eventually Riggs drops back down to his feet.
Kappenen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Riggs has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kappenen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kappenen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Riggs tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kappenen smiles and moves away.
Kappenen is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Riggs scores with a hook to the body. Kappenen takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riggs slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Riggs misses with a takedown
and Kappenen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Mikael Kappenen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
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!
Riggs misses with a wild body shot.
A jab from Riggs misses.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kappenen misses with a knee strike.
Kappenen stops a takedown attempt from Riggs.
Kappenen connects with a nasty looking knee right to Riggs's face.
Kappenen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kappenen lands a nice knee to the body.
Kappenen scores a nice knee to the body.
Riggs is breathing heavily.
Kappenen with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Kappenen.
Kappenen with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Martin Riggs has been cut.
Kappenen working Riggs over with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kappenen unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Kappenen misses with a knee strike.
Kappenen is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Kappenen looking to throw knees to the head but Riggs is blocking nicely.
Kappenen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kappenen lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kappenen misses with a knee strike.
Kappenen lands a knee to the body.
A knee to the head by Kappenen.
Riggs tries to pull guard but Kappenen forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Kappenen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Riggs has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kappenen misses with a knee to the head.
Kappenen landing knees to the head.
Kappenen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Riggs has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kappenen tries to land a knee to the head but Riggs blocks with his arms.
Riggs has Kappenen pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kappenen manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riggs tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kappenen tries a knee to the head but Riggs blocks it.
Kappenen throws a knee to the head but misses.
A nice left hand lands by Kappenen.
Kappenen stops a takedown attempt from Riggs.
Kappenen tries to land a knee to the head but Riggs blocks with his arms.
Kappenen misses with a knee to the head.
Kappenen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Riggs has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kappenen.
Kappenen scores with a shoulder strike.
Riggs jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kappenen walks away with a smile on his face. Riggs gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Riggs will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Riggs goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kappenen moves into the clinch successfully.

Riggs pulls guard.
Kappenen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Riggs swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikael Kappenen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Martin Riggs's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kappenen fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Riggs, pushing him back against the cage.
Kappenen connects with a nasty looking knee right to Riggs's face.
Kappenen misses with a knee to the head.
Kappenen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Riggs is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kappenen is defending well for now.
Kappenen avoids the elbow strike from Riggs, against the cage.
Kappenen connects with a nasty looking knee right to Riggs's face.
Kappenen lands a good knee to the midsection. Riggs won't want to take too many of those.
Kappenen lands a knee to the head.
Riggs wants to take the fight to the mat but Kappenen manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Kappenen scores with a knee to the head.
Kappenen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kappenen tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kappenen tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kappenen utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Riggs takes a knee right on the jaw!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kappenen scores with a knee to the head.
Kappenen taking a breather.
Kappenen misses with a knee strike.
Riggs tries to pull guard but Kappenen forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Riggs has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kappenen avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Martin Riggs. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Still in the clinch, Kappenen scores with a nice short uppercut.
Riggs is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Kappenen is defending well.
Kappenen misses with a knee to the head.
Kappenen crunches a lovely knee into Riggs's ribcage.
Kappenen looking to throw knees to the head but Riggs is blocking nicely.
Kappenen tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Mikael Kappenen seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Riggs takes a knee right on the jaw!
Riggs drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kappenen pulls his leg out and moves away.
Riggs throws a low kick but Kappenen avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kappenen moves into range and clinches up with Riggs.
Riggs is trying to drag Kappenen to the mat but Kappenen just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Kappenen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kappenen gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Riggs.
Kappenen with a knee to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kappenen landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Riggs takes a knee right on the jaw!
Knees to the body from Kappenen.
Kappenen looking to throw knees to the head but Riggs is blocking nicely.
Kappenen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kappenen lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kappenen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kappenen misses with a knee strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riggs drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kappenen gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Kappenen tries to land a knee to the head but Riggs blocks with his arms.
Kappenen is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Kappenen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Riggs looking to stall.
Kappenen landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Riggs is trying to force a seperation but Kappenen has the dominant position.
Kappenen looking to throw knees to the head but Riggs is blocking nicely.
Kappenen is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Kappenen lands a nice knee to the body.
Kappenen looking to throw knees to the head but Riggs is blocking nicely.
Kappenen unloads a knee to the mid-section. Riggs lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kappenen lands a knee to the body.
Kappenen tries a knee to the head but Riggs blocks it.
Kappenen tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kappenen looking to throw knees to the head but Riggs is blocking nicely.
Riggs takes a knee right on the jaw!
Riggs tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kappenen smiles and moves away.

Kappenen moves into the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kappenen tries a knee to the head but Riggs blocks it.
Kappenen tries a knee to the head but Riggs blocks it.
Kappenen misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kappenen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Riggs has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Riggs is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kappenen pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kappenen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Riggs blocks it with crossed arms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikael Kappenen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Martin Riggs's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kappenen moves out of range of the strikes.
Riggs throws a body shot but no joy.

Kappenen fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Riggs, pushing him back against the cage.
Kappenen misses with a knee strike.
Kappenen is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Riggs is defending well for now.
Kappenen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Riggs has Kappenen pushed against the cage.
Riggs jumps guard but Kappenen stands there with Riggs around his waist. Riggs gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kappenen tries to land a knee to the head but Riggs blocks with his arms.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kappenen misses with a knee to the head.
Kappenen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Riggs is working for takedown but Kappenen is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kappenen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Riggs blocks it with crossed arms.
Kappenen tries a knee to the head but Riggs blocks it.
Riggs tries to pull guard but Kappenen forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Martin Riggs. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kappenen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Riggs blocks it with crossed arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kappenen lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kappenen tries to stall but Riggs uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Riggs fails to pull guard.
Riggs pressing his opponent against the cage.
Kappenen connects with a knee to the head.
Kappenen tries a knee to the head but Riggs blocks it.
Kappenen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Riggs has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kappenen unloads a knee to the mid-section. Riggs lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Riggs is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kappenen to keep the fight standing.
Kappenen stops a takedown attempt from Riggs.
Kappenen lands a good knee to the midsection. Riggs won't want to take too many of those.
Riggs tries to pull guard but Kappenen holds him up against the cage and eventually Riggs drops back down to his feet.
Riggs missing with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Riggs manages to pull guard.
Kappenen wants to control from the top but Riggs keeps moving.
Riggs seems keen to control Kappenen's posture.
Kappenen wants to control from the top but Riggs keeps moving.
Kappenen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Riggs keeping moving, preventing Kappenen from controlling successfully.
Kappenen is fighting to break Riggs's control of his arms but Riggs is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Kappenen content to stall in guard here.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riggs bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kappenen's guard.

Riggs controlling from the top position.
Kappenen wants to stand but Riggs is controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Riggs controlling from the top position.
Kappenen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Riggs.

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.
Kappenen keeping moving, preventing Riggs from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Kappenen clinches.
Riggs is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Kappenen is defending well.
Kappenen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Riggs.
Kappenen throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kappenen misses with a knee to the head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kappenen as Riggs tries to tie him up.
Kappenen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Riggs blocks it with crossed arms.
Martin Riggs has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Riggs wants to take the fight to the mat but Kappenen manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Kappenen throws a knee to the head but misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Riggs takes a knee right on the jaw!
Riggs lands a shoulder strike.
Riggs tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kappenen tries a knee to the head but Riggs blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mikael Kappenen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kappenen winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 26:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 26:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mikael Kappenen!