PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kick Boxer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cliff Rigano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Boxer
vs
Rigano

180 cm
24
169 lbs
17 - 2 - 0

188 cm
24
184 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250
HGH Nutrients Q160 Tycoons Best Quality supps

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kick Boxer!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Cliff Rigano!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Valeri Chadov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Boxer buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Boxer has been working on his boxing with his coaches at LOD: Lightning Kicks (MaxID260K) in the buildup to the fight.
Boxer with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Boxer tries to clinch up but Rigano circles away and keeps his distance.
And Rigano tries to counter it with a takedown but Boxer pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Rigano's corner calls for a 1-2. Rigano obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Good standup being displayed there by Boxer as he connects with a hook.
Boxer misses with a head kick.
Boxer misses with a hook. Rigano ducked under it nicely.
Rigano is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Boxer with a body shot.
Rigano tries to land a front kick but Boxer steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Boxer wants to clinch.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Boxer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A good leg kick by Boxer.
Rigano defending well as Boxer loads up on a big left hand.
Rigano unleashes a big counter combination but Boxer bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Rigano has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Rigano with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rigano avoids a kick to the body.
Boxer motions for Rigano to come forward. Boxer throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Rigano takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Rigano uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Boxer.

Boxer forces Rigano back against the ropes and clinches.

Boxer breaks the clinch.
A head kick misses from Boxer.
Rigano tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Boxer was well out of range. Poor timing from Rigano.
Rigano defending well as Boxer loads up on a big left hand.
Rigano is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Boxer's jab looks to have found its range, popping Rigano under the eye.
Rigano throws a big shot that misses.
Boxer looks for the body kick but Rigano saw that one coming.
Boxer looks to land a body kick but Rigano moved away.
It seemed like Rigano was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boxer feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Riganos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Rigano tries to bum rush Boxer with a series of wild strikes but Boxer uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Boxer seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A clash of legs there as Rigano blocks the low kick.
Boxer misses the jab.
Boxer tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rigano was well out of range. Poor timing from Boxer.
Boxer tries to score with a low kick but Rigano moves his leg out of the way.
Boxer throws a nice head kick!
Rigano swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A swing and a miss from Boxer.
Boxer throws a hook but Rigano avoids it easily.
A little jabbing left from Rigano on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Boxer misses with a looping right.
Boxer throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Boxer throws a body kick that misses
letting Rigano counter with a right hand.
Boxer tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rigano swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Boxer connects with a single shot there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boxer tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rigano feints the counter takedown.
Boxer throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Rigano! But no joy.
Boxer is looking to slow Rigano down with leg kicks.
Rigano slips under a jab.
Boxer throws a nice inside leg kick.
Sloppy strikes from Rigano. Those never looked like landing.
Boxer keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rigano on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Boxer. Boxer obviously looking to wear him down.
Boxer misses with a hook.
Rigano misses the jab.
Boxer fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Boxer throws a body shot but no joy.
Boxer throws a hook but Rigano avoids it easily.
Boxer is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rigano.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boxer lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Boxer.
Rigano misses with a series of wild punches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Boxer slips under a jab from Rigano.
Boxer throws a low kick but it's checked well by Rigano.
Rigano swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Boxer blocks a jab.
Boxer swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Boxer misses the shot to the body.
Boxer misses with a kick to the body.
Boxer looks to land a left hand but Rigano moved out of range nicely.
Rigano with the counter takedown but Boxer avoids it easily.
Rigano throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Boxer misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rigano throws out a loose jab but Boxer uses good head movement to avoid it.
Boxer throwing a counter right hand but Rigano manages to avoid it.
Boxer misses with a body punch
and Rigano counters with a stiff right hand.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Boxer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rigano scores with a crisp jab that stopped Boxer in his tracks.
Rigano fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Boxer on the side of the head.
Rigano keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Boxer swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Boxer connects with a nice looking jab.
Boxer scores with a nice right hand.
Boxer takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Rigano walks into a left hand.
Boxer throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rigano throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rigano might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Boxer throws a push kick but Rigano slaps the foot to one side.
Boxer uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rigano.
Rigano throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Boxer sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Boxer has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Rigano finds it's way round the side to connect with Boxer's head.
Rigano buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Rigano slips under a jab from Boxer.
Boxer misses the shot to the body.
Rigano changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Boxer darts in trying to clinch
and Rigano counters with a straight right hand.
Boxer feints and then cracks Rigano's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rigano down.
Boxer connects with a body shot that sends Rigano's belly button to the back.
Jab from Rigano.
Rigano sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Rigano moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Kick Boxer has been cut.
Boxer scores with a kick to the body.
Boxer throws a hook to the side of Rigano's head but Rigano sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rigano with the counter takedown but Boxer avoids it easily.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Rigano is looking to land body kicks.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Rigano doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A nice left hand lands by Rigano.

Rigano has hold of one of Boxer's legs. Boxer is fighting the takedown attempt but Rigano gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Rigano trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Boxer avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rigano throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rigano pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Boxer is keeping the position for now.
Boxer keeping moving, preventing Rigano from controlling successfully.
Rigano missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Boxer is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Rigano trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rigano controls from within his opponent's guard.
Rigano is in close to Boxer's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Boxer avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Rigano is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Rigano postures up in Boxer's guard and throws a big left but Boxer blocks it.
Rigano lands a couple of digs.
Boxer avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Boxer controls Rigano momentarily but Rigano frees himself.
Rigano wants to pass the guard but Boxer is keeping the position.
Rigano is working Boxer over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Rigano is fighting to break Boxer's control of his arms but Boxer is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Boxer not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Boxer keeping moving, preventing Rigano from controlling successfully.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Rigano postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rigano is looking to work some ground and pound but Boxer has wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kick Boxer will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kick Boxer's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Boxer takes a swing at Rigano's ribcage but misses.
Nice body punch from Rigano.
Kick Boxer is winning the standup battle so far.

Boxer pushes Rigano up against the ropes in a clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Boxer as Rigano tries to tie him up.
Rigano stalling in the clinch but Boxer improves position.
Rigano taking a breather.
Boxer goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rigano misses with a knee strike.
Boxer lands with a light punch inside.
Rigano wants to take the fight to the mat but Boxer manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Rigano trying to control the position but instead, Boxer has worked for underhooks and has pushed Rigano into the ropes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rigano turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Rigano manages to end up in side control.
Boxer is not content to let Rigano control the position.

Rigano tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boxer is trying to control Rigano's posture but Rigano avoids it.
Rigano in side control, throwing shots but Boxer defends.
Rigano throws an elbow but Boxer slips to the side and avoids it well.
Rigano misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Boxer managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Rigano.
Rigano lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Boxer down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rigano sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Boxer is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Boxer is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
The ground and pound from Rigano seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
An elbow from Rigano crashes against the mat.
Rigano throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Cliff Rigano has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rigano wants to control but Boxer is keeping him busy.
Rigano throws an elbow but Boxer slips to the side and avoids it well.
Boxer parries the strikes from Rigano easily there. Rigano is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Boxer to escape.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
An elbow from Rigano crashes against the mat.
Boxer is not content to let Rigano control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boxer parries the strikes from Rigano easily there. Rigano is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Boxer to escape.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Boxer is working to avoid the ground and pound but Rigano connects with a decent elbow.
Boxer prevents Rigano from moving into mount.
Sloppy strikes there by Rigano.
Rigano tries to score with some ground and pound. Boxer controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Rigano throws an elbow but Boxer slips to the side and avoids it well.
Rigano works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

Rigano is trying to get an arm triangle but Boxer is defending well.

Rigano thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boxer taking a bit of punishment here - Rigano scoring with strikes.
Rigano lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Rigano scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Boxer to see if he's OK.
Rigano misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
The strikes coming from Rigano are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Rigano trying to control the action but Boxer is working from the bottom.
Boxer on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Rigano scoring with punches and elbows.
Rigano has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Boxer avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Rigano.
Boxer prevents Rigano from moving into mount.
Rigano fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Rigano throws a strike aimed at the side of Boxer's head but Boxer avoids it well.
Rigano misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Boxer defending against the ground and pound.
Check out the look on Rigano's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Rigano in side control, throwing shots but Boxer defends.
Boxer is looking for a sweep.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Rigano lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Boxer down.
Rigano tries to move to mount but Boxer blocks the move with his legs.
Rigano scoring with punches and elbows.

Rigano tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Rigano tries to score with some ground and pound. Boxer controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Rigano has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rigano working the head with strikes.
Rigano lands a few punches from side control.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Rigano working the ground and pound from side control.
An elbow from Rigano crashes against the mat.
Rigano in side control, throwing shots but Boxer defends.
Rigano trying to control the action but Boxer is working from the bottom.
Rigano in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Rigano connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Boxer some visible discomfort.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The strikes coming from Rigano are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Rigano works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Rigano landing strikes.
Rigano in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Rigano wants to lay and pray for a moment but Boxer keeps working.
Boxer wants to control but Rigano postures up.
An elbow from Rigano crashes against the mat.
Rigano working the head with strikes.
Boxer managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Rigano.
Rigano working away.
Rigano misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Boxer tries to improve position but can't.
Rigano lands a few punches from side control.
Boxer is not content to let Rigano control the position.
Rigano tries to move into full mount but can't pass Boxer's legs.
Rigano working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rigano creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Boxer sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Rigano cracks Boxer with a big elbow.
Rigano working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cliff Rigano showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kick Boxer's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Boxer misses with a hook
and Rigano counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Boxer digs a good body shot into Rigano's ribs.
Kick Boxer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rigano checks the leg kick nicely there.
Boxer throws a hook but Rigano blocks it.
Rigano misses with a two punch combination.
Boxer connects with a leg kick. Rigano looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Rigano moves out of range of the leg kick from Boxer.
Rigano has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Boxer with a nice cross.
Boxer takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rigano slips under a jab from Boxer.
Rigano is looking for the big counter here.
Boxer throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rigano takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A slow jab from Rigano misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boxer misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rigano.
Boxer connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Rigano moves away from the strike by Boxer.
Rigano swings for the body but Boxer moves out of range.
Boxer connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Boxer lands a nice looking body shot.
Rigano avoids the body shot from Boxer.
Rigano takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Rigano cracks the inside of Boxer's front leg.
Rigano looks to land a combination. Boxer sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Rigano moves out of range of the body kick from Boxer.
Boxer scoring well with a low kick there.
Boxer is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rigano blocks a low kick nicely.
Rigano drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Boxer defends it well.
Boxer takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A slow jab from Rigano misses its intended target.
Rigano throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Boxer clinches with his opponent.
Boxer's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Rigano's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Boxer tries to clinch up but Rigano circles away and keeps his distance.
Boxer takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Boxer takes the fight into the clinch.
Boxer lands a body punch in the clinch.
Rigano is stalling here.
Rigano working hard to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Boxer as Rigano tries to tie him up.
Boxer lands a nice elbow.
A short right from Boxer.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Boxer.
Rigano blocks an elbow strike.
Boxer misses with a punch to the body.
Boxer stops a takedown attempt from Rigano.
Boxer throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Riganos head.
Rigano misses with the head strike.
Rigano tries to throw a body punch but Boxer avoids it by throwing Rigano back against the ropes.
Kick Boxer has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Boxer.
Rigano takes a shot to the head.
Boxer misses with an elbow over the top.

Rigano breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rigano staying out of range there.
Boxer tries to clinch up but Rigano circles away and keeps his distance.
Rigano throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Boxer checks the leg kick nicely there.
Good standup being displayed there by Boxer as he connects with a hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Boxer scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Boxer lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Rigano throws a body punch but Boxer moves out of range.
Rigano drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Boxer scores with a jab to the body.
Boxer scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Rigano throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Boxer counters with a right hand to the body.
Rigano takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Jab by Boxer.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Boxer clinches with his opponent.
Boxer lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rigano struggles to land a body shot inside as Boxer controls his hands.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Rigano.
Boxer misses with an elbow over the top.
Rigano blocks an elbow strike from Boxer.
Rigano goes for a takedown attempt but Boxer pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Rigano on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Rigano connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Boxer momentarily.
Boxer connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Boxer tests Rigano's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Boxer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Boxer misses with a body shot.
Rigano feints the counter takedown.
Rigano moves out of range as Boxer throws a body kick.
Boxer tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rigano was well out of range. Poor timing from Boxer.
Boxer delivers a nice body kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Boxer ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rigano moves away.
Boxer throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Boxer misses the shot to the body.
Boxer missing with a left hand there. Rigano was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rigano scores with the left hand. Boxer knows he should have avoided that one.
Boxer jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Rigano bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Boxer swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Rigano counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Boxer misses with a hook. Rigano ducked under it nicely.
Boxer gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Rigano.
Rigano has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Boxer.
Boxer keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rigano.
Boxer is looking to counter punch.

Boxer has Rigano up against the ropes in a clinch.
Rigano avoids a wild elbow strike from Boxer.
Rigano trying to control the position but instead, Boxer has worked for underhooks and has pushed Rigano into the ropes.
Rigano avoids the elbow strike from Boxer, against the ropes.
Rigano misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Boxer.
Boxer working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Boxer doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Boxer working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Boxer tries a body shot but Rigano blocks it.
Boxer misses with a punch to the body.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Boxer lands a damaging elbow.

Boxer breaks the clinch.
Boxer avoids the body shot from Rigano.
A clash of legs there as Rigano blocks the low kick.
Rigano has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Rigano lands with a right hand.

Boxer gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rigano prevents a body shot from Boxer.
Boxer swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rigano throws a knee to the head but misses.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Boxer as Rigano tries to tie him up.
Boxer tries a body shot but Rigano blocks it.
Boxer gets through Rigano's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Rigano misses with a short punch on the inside.
Boxer lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Rigano or not.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Boxer breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Boxer swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Boxer keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rigano takes a jab right on the kisser.
Boxer scores with a push kick.
Jab, jab by Boxer - just one landing.
Boxer throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rigano throws a body punch but Boxer moves out of range.
Boxer ducks under a wild hook from Rigano.
Boxer misses with a wild body shot.
Rigano connects with a right hand. Boxer shakes it off.
A looping hook to the body misses from Boxer. Rigano does a little dance to reset his feet.
Boxer lands a nice shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kick Boxer clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Kick Boxer's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Boxer waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rigano.
Jab, jab by Boxer - just one landing.
A good leg kick by Boxer.
Some wild striking there from Rigano.
Rigano moves out of range of the strikes.
Rigano looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Boxer throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Boxer swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Boxer throws a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Boxer scores with a kick to the body.
Jab by Rigano.
Rigano takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Boxer is looking to clinch but Rigano is avoiding it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boxer takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Boxer moves to clinch but Rigano breaks away
and Rigano connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Boxer moves in looking to clinch but Rigano pushes him off.
The fighters circling - Boxer throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Boxer ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rigano moves away.
Boxer throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rigano drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Boxer defends it well.
Boxer tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Rigano manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Boxer throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Boxer takes a swing at Rigano's ribcage but misses.
Boxer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Boxer avoids the body shot from Rigano.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rigano throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rigano throws a shot to the body.
Boxer bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Boxer takes one to the chin there.
Rigano scores with a jab to the body.
Boxer misses with a low kick.
Rigano moves away from the strike by Boxer.
Rigano checks the leg kick nicely there.
Boxer throws a shot to the body.
Rigano lands with a hook. Boxer tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Boxer blocks a low kick nicely.
Rigano scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Boxer doesn't seem bothered though.
Rigano moves out of range of the body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rigano bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Boxer throws a chopping leg kick but Rigano manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Rigano throws a hook but Boxer avoids it easily.
A quick step to the side and Boxer tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Boxer jabs Rigano right on the nose. Rigano blinks but takes it well.
Rigano lands with a right hand.
Rigano misses with a looping right.
Rigano takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Boxer lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rigano's sensitive parts.
Boxer tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rigano was well out of range. Poor timing from Boxer.
Rigano drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Boxer defends it well.
Boxer is looking to clinch.
A big left from Boxer misses.
Boxer tries to clinch up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Boxer clinches with his opponent.
Rigano is trying to maintain a safe position but Boxer gets an underhook and turns Rigano into the ropes.
Boxer lands a shot to the body.
Rigano looking for a takedown.

Rigano breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Good leg kick by Rigano there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Boxer uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rigano.
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!
Boxer lands a right hook to the body.
Boxer is looking to slow Rigano down with leg kicks.
Boxer scores with a decent looking hook.
Boxer with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rigano to score with a decent uppercut.
Boxer walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Rigano checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Rigano throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Boxer fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Rigano checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Boxer connects with a leg kick. Rigano looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Boxer lands a leg kick that knocks Rigano off balance momentarily.
Boxer bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Boxer misses the shot to the body.
Boxer tried to score with a low kick but Rigano checks it.
Boxer paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Boxer looks to throw the jab but Rigano is out of range.
Boxer lands with a shot to the body.
Rigano's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
The fight stays on the outside here - Boxer looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Boxer takes a swing at Rigano's ribcage but misses.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Boxer fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rigano manages to avoid it.
Boxer doesn't manage to clinch there - Rigano circles away.
Boxer misses with a right hand
and Rigano counters with a solid body kick.
Rigano throws a hook but Boxer avoids it easily.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Rigano, right into the meat.
Rigano ducks under a wild hook from Boxer.
Rigano with the counter takedown but Boxer avoids it easily.
Rigano misses with a hook. Boxer ducked under it nicely.
Rigano looks to land a left hand but Boxer moved out of range nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Boxer loads up on a big right hand but Rigano slips the punch.
Rigano misses with an uppercut.
Boxer wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Boxer misses the shot to the body.
Boxer tries a head kick but it misses.
Boxer turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Boxer buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Boxer misses with a low kick.
Rigano uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Boxer.
Boxer darts in trying to clinch
and Rigano counters with a nice uppercut.
Rigano walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Boxer bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rigano tries a low kick but Boxer avoids it.
Boxer wants to slow Rigano down by chopping away at his legs.
Boxer tries to clinch but Rigano is having none of it.
Rigano misses with an uppercut.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Boxer throws a front kick aimed at Rigano's knee but Rigano avoids it well.
Rigano avoids the body shot from Boxer.
Boxer cracks a nice hook into Rigano's ribs.
Boxer throws a good cross that connects.
A telegraphed right hand from Boxer misses the target.
As Boxer backs off Rigano throws a huge counter combo but Boxer manages to avoid it all.
Rigano takes one to the side of the head.
Rigano on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Rigano misses the jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Boxer lands with a shot to the body.
Rigano uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Boxer.
Boxer throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Boxer looks for the body kick but Rigano saw that one coming.
Rigano misses with a wild combination.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Rigano scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Boxer doesn't seem bothered though.
Boxer throws a lazy body kick
and Rigano cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Boxer is looking to clinch but Rigano is avoiding it.
Boxer misses with a hook.
Boxer waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rigano.
Boxer shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Rigano misses with a straight right.
Boxer appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Boxer fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rigano stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Boxer misses with a looping left.
A little jabbing left from Rigano on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Kick Boxer will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kick Boxer's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Boxer avoids a punch combination nicely.
Boxer pushes Rigano away with a front kick.
Boxer misses with a body shot.
Rigano lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Boxer throws a leg kick which misses Rigano's front leg but catches the back leg as Rigano tries to avoid it.
Rigano keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Boxer throws the kick towards the body but Rigano avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Boxer misses with the combination.
Rigano walks into a straight right hand from Boxer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boxer misses with a body kick.
Boxer slips a jab from Rigano.
Boxer works the jab nicely.
Rigano throws a right hand that Boxer ducks under and follows up with a left that Boxer also avoids with ease.
A punch combination from Rigano misses.
A jab from Rigano does it's job there.
Boxer swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rigano shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Boxer eats them both and turns towards Rigano to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Boxer punishes Rigano's body with a nice straight punch.
Rigano defending well as Boxer loads up on a big left hand.
Boxer chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Boxer connects with a right hand. Rigano shakes it off.
Rigano tries to bum rush Boxer with a series of wild strikes but Boxer uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Boxer is looking to counter the offense by Rigano and move into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Boxer swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Boxer scores with a decent looking hook.
Boxer doesn't manage to clinch there - Rigano circles away.
Rigano throws out a counter right but Boxer avoids it with no problem.
Boxer just misses with a punch to the body.
Rigano drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Boxer defends it well.
Rigano slips a straight right by Boxer.
Rigano ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Boxer moves away.
Boxer scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Rigano doesn't seem bothered though.
Rigano lands a two punch combo.
Rigano on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Rigano just misses with a punch to the body.
Boxer keeps Rigano at a distance using the push kick.
Boxer avoids the head kick by Rigano.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boxer scores with a jab to the jaw.
A bone on bone clash there as Rigano blocks the leg kick.
Boxer wants to clinch up but Rigano keeps it at a distance.
Decent striking displayed by Rigano there.
Boxer lands with a right hand.
Boxer scores with a decent looking hook.
A jab lands there for Boxer.
Boxer throws a body shot but no joy.
Boxer misses with a wild body shot.
Rigano tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A jab lands there for Boxer.
A telegraphed right hand from Boxer misses the target.
Boxer ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rigano moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boxer fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Rigano fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Boxer on the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rigano. Boxer does a little dance to reset his feet.
Boxer throws a hook but Rigano avoids it easily.
Rigano fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Boxer lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rigano at a distance.
Rigano steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Boxer. That one must have hurt.
Rigano takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Boxer avoids the body shot from Rigano.
Rigano catches Boxer with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

Boxer pushes Rigano up against the ropes in a clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rigano.
A short left from Boxer.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Rigano escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A slow jab from Boxer misses its intended target.
Donk. Rigano catches Boxer right on the button with a cross.
Boxer throws a leg kick
and Rigano counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Boxer gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Rigano takes a shot to the head.
Boxer misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Boxer is working Rigano over against the ropes.
Boxer lands an elbow inside that Rigano shrugs off.
Boxer lands a shoulder strike.
Boxer misses with a body punch.
Rigano is trying to stall.
Rigano using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Boxer has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rigano is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Boxer is keeping busy.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Boxer scores with a hook to the body.
Boxer creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rigano displaying some good clinch control by pressing Boxer up against the ropes.
Rigano swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Boxer blocks an uppercut.
Rigano lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Rigano's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Boxer can't find room to land a body shot as Rigano controls the action.
Boxer lands a nice uppercut.
Boxer misses with the head strike.
Boxer misses with some punches.

Rigano has clasped his hands together around Boxer's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Rigano is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Boxer has escaped the position, nice work there.
Boxer knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rigano on the ground.
You can see the frustration on Boxer's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Rigano looking to control but instead Boxer has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Rigano trying to control the action but Boxer is working from the bottom.

Rigano is looking for a kimura here.
Rigano is thwarting Boxer's attempts to control the position.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Rigano throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Boxer is refusing to be controlled, as Rigano sits in half guard.
Kick Boxer is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rigano thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Boxer's head.
Boxer is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Rigano scores with a couple of nice shots.
Boxer keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rigano throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Rigano not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Rigano throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Boxer keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Rigano missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Boxer won't allow Rigano to pass to mount.
Rigano passes the guard and advances to mount!
Boxer working to try and regain half guard.
Rigano postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Boxer looks a forlorn figure.
Cliff Rigano has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Boxer avoids a series of strikes thrown by Rigano.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Kick Boxer.
I think Boxer has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 48:46
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 48:46
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 48:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kick Boxer!
Kick Boxer retains his welterweight title!
After winning the bout, Kick Boxer thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.