PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nich DiM (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ondrej Rigo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

DiM
vs
Rigo

180 cm
23
201 lbs
13 - 3 - 0

170 cm
22
195 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Great low kicks
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 13 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Nich DiM!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ondrej Rigo!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Taro Takaoka and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
DiM tries a low kick but Rigo avoids it.
Rigo on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Rigo keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
DiM throws a leg kick but Rigo sees it coming and moves out of range.
DiM pivots, looking for a leg kick but Rigo is out of range and DiM settles back down.
Rigo shoots for a double leg takedown but DiM sprawls well. He's pushed Rigo's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
DiM looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
That kick from DiM tenderised Rigo's leg. Rigo is trying to keep his angry face on.
Rigo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with DiM but DiM pushes him off and we're back to square one.
DiM lands a leg kick that knocks Rigo off balance momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A low kick from DiM is predictable there

so Rigo counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Rigo is stalling in the full guard.
Rigo told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
DiM wants to sweep but no luck.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rigo wants to control from the top but DiM keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rigo won't allow DiM to sweep him here.

DiM looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

DiM looking for a guillotine here but Rigo defends easily.
Rigo wants to control from the top but DiM keeps moving.
DiM 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.

DiM throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
DiM trying to control the position.
Rigo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. DiM is keeping the position for now.

That's two 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.
DiM tries to land a sweep but no joy.
DiM is looking to stand up but Rigo isn't so interested in that idea.
Rigo stands and throws DiM's legs to the side, diving into side control.
DiM tries to buck Rigo off but Rigo is having none of it.
Rigo controls the position from side control.
Rigo tries to advance to mount but DiM denies him.
DiM tries to bench press Rigo off him but Rigo keeps the position.
Rigo is looking to take a break and control but DiM is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
DiM manages to work his way to half guard, despite Rigo's best efforts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DiM is looking for a sweep. Rigo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rigo wants to pass the guard but DiM is defending well.
DiM trying to hold on to Rigo's head to control him but Rigo postures up.
DiM wants to improve his position but Rigo is controlling well.

Rigo is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. DiM doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Rigo.
Rigo controlling the action here.

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.
DiM wants to improve his position but Rigo is controlling well.
Rigo is thwarting DiM's attempts to control the position.
DiM wants to improve his position but Rigo is controlling well.
Rigo is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Rigo can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as DiM is looking to escape.
DiM is desperately trying to improve his position but Rigo has a good base and remains in mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ondrej Rigo will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A clash of legs there as Rigo blocks the low kick.
A clash of legs there as Rigo blocks the low kick.
And Rigo tries to counter it with a takedown but DiM pushes his down on his head and steps out.
We've been told by DiM's head coaches at Tōshi that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
DiM pivots, looking for a leg kick but Rigo is out of range and DiM settles back down.
A low kick from DiM is predictable there

and Rigo counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Rigo.
DiM looking for a sweep. Not yet DiM, not yet.
Rigo wants to control from the top but DiM keeps moving.
DiM bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rigo's guard.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rigo is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Rigo passes to full mount!
DiM is wriggling around trying to escape.
Ondrej Rigo has got the better of the ground game so far.

Rigo wants to finish this one by submission but DiM is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Rigo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rigo controlling from the full mount.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Rigo's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DiM keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
DiM is working hard here to advance position.
DiM sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
DiM tries to roll over but Rigo keeps him under control.
Rigo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
DiM moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Rigo wants to control from the top but DiM keeps moving.

Rigo avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rigo trying to control but DiM is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rigo is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
DiM wants to sweep here but Rigo controlling him for the moment.
DiM looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Rigo puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Rigo wants to control but DiM is keeping him busy.
DiM is trying to get back to full guard.

DiM looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Rigo is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
DiM is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
DiM is pressing down on Rigo's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Rigo wants to control from the top but DiM keeps moving.

DiM looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rigo passes DiM's left leg - he's now in half guard.

DiM is defending against the submission attempts here by Rigo.
DiM moves into full guard.
DiM keeping full guard, as Rigo tries to pass.

Rigo avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rigo wants to control from the top but DiM keeps moving.
Rigo wants to pass the guard but DiM is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rigo controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Rigo wants to control from the top but DiM keeps moving.

DiM is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rigo pushing down on DiM's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Rigo seems to be looking for submissions.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
DiM is looking for a sweep. Rigo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
DiM makes his way to full guard. A much better position for DiM.
Rigo passes easily into side control. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ondrej Rigo 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. This is the final round!

Rigo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rigo drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

It looks like Ondrej Rigo has been cut.
The fighters circling - DiM throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rigo moves out of range of the body kick from DiM.
Rigo drops down looking to force a counter takedown but DiM defends it well.
A clash of legs there as Rigo blocks the low kick.

DiM scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Rigo is looking to reverse the position.
Rigo is still trying to improve position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
DiM trying to control the position but Rigo is working away.
Rigo manages to get back to half guard.
Rigo is not content to let DiM control the position.
Rigo wants to control but DiM is keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rigo tries to get to full guard but DiM has control of the leg.
Rigo is trying to maintain the position but DiM is very close to passing his half guard.
Rigo is refusing to be controlled, as DiM sits in half guard.
Rigo works his way to full guard. Good work.
DiM lands a couple of elbows.
Rigo is trying to control the position but DiM postures up.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells DiM's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
DiM with a flurry of punches that miss.
DiM throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
DiM missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
DiM preventing the sweep.
DiM trying to control the position from guard on top but Rigo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nich DiM has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DiM with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
DiM working some strikes from top position.
DiM pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rigo is keeping the position for now.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells DiM's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
DiM won't allow Rigo to sweep him here.
Rigo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from DiM.
Rigo controls DiM momentarily but DiM frees himself.
DiM postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
DiM postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rigo is on top in guard.

Rigo trying to control the position from guard on top but DiM is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
DiM wants to sweep but no luck.
Rigo sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed DiM's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DiM gets back to full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rigo trying to control the position from guard on top but DiM is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
DiM bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rigo's guard.

Rigo keeping moving, preventing DiM from controlling successfully.
DiM with a flurry of punches that miss.
DiM stopping the sweep attempt from Rigo.
DiM wants to control from the top but Rigo keeps moving.
DiM stopping the sweep attempt from Rigo.
Rigo looking to control.
DiM working some strikes from top position.
DiM looking to pass the guard.
DiM won't allow Rigo to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DiM throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
DiM makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
DiM trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
DiM stopping the sweep attempt from Rigo.
Rigo utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rigo looking for a sweep. Not yet Rigo, not yet.
Rigo trying to control the position here.

Rigo has his foot on DiM's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. DiM works his way back into a safe position though.
Rigo wants to sweep here but DiM controlling him for the moment.
DiM landing some decent shots from guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
DiM looking to pass the guard.
Rigo wants to sweep here but DiM controlling him for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nich DiM showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rigo 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 28:29
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!