PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Frankie Riggs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gabriel Lazada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Lazada 's choice of entrance music: Been Thru the Storm - The Roots feat. Stevie Wonder. Gabriel Lazada has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Riggs
vs
Lazada

213 cm
18
214 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

177 cm
19
200 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Frankie Riggs!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Gabriel Lazada !
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lazada fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Lazada fails with a takedown attempt.
Lazada closes this distance looking for a takedown but Riggs circles away.
Frankie Riggs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gabriel Lazada .
Riggs misses with a wild body shot.
Lazada shoots in and drives through. Riggs sprawls well.

Riggs shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Lazada 's guard.
Lazada has his hands on Riggs's head, controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lazada working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Riggs.
Lazada is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riggs throwing strikes from guard but Lazada blocks nicely.
Lazada should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Lazada escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Riggs gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Riggs in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Lazada throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Lazada working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Riggs has passed into half guard!

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Riggs really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Lazada changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Riggs tries to avoid it but Lazada manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Riggs to the ground. Riggs escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Riggs tries to counter by clinching up but Lazada breaks away and moves out of range.
Lazada fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Riggs avoids it really well and circles away.
Riggs changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Lazada looks winded!

Riggs looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Lazada !
Riggs scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Lazada to see if he's OK.
Riggs looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Lazada is avoiding damage well.
Lazada is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Riggs will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Lazada trying to hold on to Riggs's head to control him but Riggs postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riggs prevents Lazada from improving his position.
Lazada taking some punishment here, with Riggs in his half guard.
Riggs prevents Lazada from improving his position.
Lazada trying to control but Riggs postures up.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Riggs not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lazada tries to roll over but Riggs keeps him under control.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Riggs drives through with a takedown into guard.
Riggs throws a big right hand that misses.
Lazada avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Riggs loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Riggs tries to stand but Lazada is controlling from the bottom.
Riggs throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lazada works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Riggs wants to get up but he can't break Lazada 's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Riggs connects with a couple of short punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frankie Riggs 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.

Lazada has a takedown stuffed.
Riggs leaves Lazada with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Lazada fails with a takedown attempt.
Frankie Riggs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gabriel Lazada .
Lazada tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Riggs defends well and Lazada ends up having to push Riggs into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Riggs drives through with a takedown into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Riggs throws a big elbow that misses.
Riggs postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Riggs has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Lazada is proving hard to escape from.
Riggs throws an elbow that misses. Lazada uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Riggs's guard. Nice move by Lazada !
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Riggs looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Riggs is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lazada can do to turn this around?
Riggs tries to strike from the bottom.
Riggs looking to control.
Riggs wants to get back to his feet but Lazada is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Lazada trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Horrible takedown attempt by Lazada or perhaps it was just good defense by Riggs, which made it look bad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Lazada gets caught napping as Riggs dives in and scores a takedown. Lazada manages to retain guard.
Riggs throws an elbow that misses. Lazada uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Riggs's guard. Nice move by Lazada !
Riggs preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Riggs preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Lazada trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Lazada wants to control from the top but Riggs keeps moving.
Riggs utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Lazada throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lazada working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Riggs's head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Lazada in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Riggs controls Lazada momentarily but Lazada frees himself.
Lazada is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Lazada enables Riggs to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Lazada manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Lazada has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Riggs is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riggs is looking to break free of the clinch but Lazada has double underhooks.
Lazada throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Lazada goes for a takedown in the clinch but Riggs prevents it.
Lazada goes for a takedown in the clinch but Riggs prevents it.

Lazada gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Lazada not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Riggs wants to get back to full guard.
Lazada thows a huge punch but Riggs dodges it nicely.
Lazada slows the pace down in half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Lazada is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Riggs doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Lazada .
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Frankie Riggs will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Lazada tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Riggs swivels and escapes.
Riggs changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lazada is defended easily by Riggs.

Riggs moves into the clinch successfully.
Riggs tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Riggs is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Lazada is defending well for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Riggs gets underhooks to prevent Lazada 's takedown attempt.
Frankie Riggs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gabriel Lazada .
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Lazada obliges.
Riggs tries to circle away but Lazada has him pinned against the cage.
Riggs misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Lazada .
Lazada lands a knee to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Riggs throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lazada is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Riggs is defending well.
Lazada is trying to pull guard but Riggs has him pressed against the cage.
Lazada is looking for a takedown.
Lazada is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Riggs tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Lazada avoiding damage as Riggs throws knees to the body.
Riggs is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Riggs tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Lazada avoids it.
A frustrated look appears on Riggs's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Lazada drops down looking for an ankle pick but Riggs pulls his leg out and moves away.

Riggs shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Lazada is trying to defend but Riggs finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Lazada kicks Riggs off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gabriel Lazada seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lazada looks for a takedown but Riggs sprawls well.
Lazada wants to clinch up but Riggs keeps it at a distance.

Riggs closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Lazada quickly recovers to half guard.

Lazada has one foot on Riggs's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lazada tries for a takedown but Riggs sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Lazada fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Riggs closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Lazada did well to prevent Riggs getting side control.

Riggs is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lazada tries to roll over but Riggs keeps him under control.
Gabriel Lazada has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lazada wants to sweep but Riggs has passed to side control!
Lazada regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Riggs thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lazada 's head.
Lazada is trying is best to control the position here.
Riggs thows a huge punch but Lazada dodges it nicely.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Lazada fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Riggs scores with a takedown into Lazada 's guard.

Lazada manages to escape and get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
That round was too close to call.
Well Riggs has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frankie Riggs!
Gabriel Lazada was interviewed post fight and said 'Well that was a good fight gotta give credit to my opponent his good he was more prepared coming into this fight and i want to thank everyone who showed up tonight. i want to thank for the support and for now i'll go back to the drawing board and start all over.'.