PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Cliff Rigano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Milo Markovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Rigano
vs
Markovic

188 cm
28
184 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

178 cm
27
172 lbs
12 - 8 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Cliff Rigano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Milo Markovic!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Tiny Johnson and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rigano takes one to the chin there.
Markovic throws a body shot but no joy.
A shot to the body from Markovic misses
and Rigano counters with a stiff right hand.
Markovic swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rigano throws a big shot that misses.
No joy there for Markovic, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Markovic misses the shot to the body.
Rigano tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Markovic throws a right hand that Rigano ducks under and follows up with a left that Rigano also avoids with ease.
Markovic checks a low kick from Rigano.
Markovic blocks a head kick by Rigano.
Rigano misses with a low kick as Markovic jumps back.
Rigano throws a body punch but Markovic moves out of range.
Markovic needs to keep his hands up - Rigano had a free shot at his head there.
Markovic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rigano.
Rigano is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Markovic scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
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!
Markovic throws a hook but Rigano avoids it easily.
Rigano moves out of range as Markovic strikes.
We've been informed that Markovic has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Rigano throws an overhand right that lands on Markovic's shoulder, as Markovic tries to avoid the shot.
Markovic scores with a crisp jab that stopped Rigano in his tracks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markovic throws a lazy right hand but Rigano sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rigano was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Markovic throws a jab when Rigano was well out of range.
Nice body kick there by Rigano.
Rigano misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Markovic.
Rigano misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Rigano takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rigano looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Markovic loads up on a big right hand but Rigano slips the punch.
Rigano is looking to counter punch.
Milo Markovic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Markovic scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Rigano on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Rigano moves away from the strike by Markovic.
A counter left hand to the body from Rigano misses its target.
Markovic throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Markovic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rigano.
Markovic checks a leg kick nicely.
Rigano lands a jab to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A jab from Rigano finds it's way through Markovic's defenses.
Rigano throws a looping overhand right but Markovic ducks down to avoid it.
Markovic misses with a double jab.
Rigano lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Markovic misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rigano lands a head kick. Markovic smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markovic swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rigano throws a leg kick which misses Markovic's front leg but catches the back leg as Markovic tries to avoid it.
Rigano's jab looks to have found its range, popping Markovic under the eye.
Markovic wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Rigano on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Markovic takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Markovic is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rigano.
Markovic moves away from the strike by Rigano.
A nice combination there by Markovic.
Markovic misses with a straight left.
Rigano swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Markovic needs to keep his hands up - Rigano had a free shot at his head there.
Markovic throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Markovic swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Markovic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Markovic lands a jab to the nose.
Markovic misses with a body shot.
Rigano swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Markovic on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Markovic displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rigano throws out the jab.
Markovic appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rigano uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Markovic.
Rigano pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Markovic is looking for the big counter here.
Markovic with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rigano to score with a decent uppercut.
Rigano ducks under a wild hook from Markovic.
Rigano moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Rigano keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rigano attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Rigano throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rigano is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A telegraphed right hand from Markovic misses the target.
Rigano throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Markovic pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Rigano closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Markovic quickly recovers to half guard.
Markovic wants to get back to his feet.
Rigano wants to control but Markovic is keeping him busy.
Rigano scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Markovic wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rigano working the head and body with strikes.
Rigano prevents Markovic from standing back up.
Rigano has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Rigano is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Rigano thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Markovic's head.
Rigano trying to control the pace.
Markovic is trying to stand back up but Rigano is controlling him
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Markovic tries to roll over but Rigano keeps him under control.
Markovic is still trying to improve position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Milo Markovic 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.

Rigano misses with a hook. Markovic ducked under it nicely.
A shot to the liver by Markovic. Beautiful body shot.
Markovic swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rigano tries to bum rush Markovic with a series of wild strikes but Markovic uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rigano avoids the body shot from Markovic.
Markovic throws a right and a left that both miss.
A shot to the liver by Markovic. Beautiful body shot.
Markovic takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
The fighters circling - Rigano throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Markovic throws a body punch but Rigano moves out of range.
Markovic tries to bum rush Rigano with a series of wild strikes but Rigano uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Markovic missing with a left hand there. Rigano was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A jab from Markovic misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rigano takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Markovic just misses with a punch to the body.
Rigano motions for Markovic to come forward. Rigano throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Rigano tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Markovic throws a body shot but no joy.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Markovic throws a series of punches but Rigano avoids them all with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Markovic misses the target.
Markovic uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A big left from Rigano misses.
Markovic displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rigano throws out the jab.
Rigano lands a lovely overhand right.
Rigano blocks a jab.
Rigano thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rigano slips a jab from Markovic.
Jab from Rigano.
Markovic throws a shot from downtown. Rigano moves away and avoids it.
Rigano bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Markovic slips under a jab.
Markovic misses with a double jab
and Rigano counters with a slapping leg kick.
Markovic bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Rigano's head.
Markovic misses with a body shot.
Markovic misses with a wild body shot.
Markovic on the wrong end of a nice jab.

It looks like Milo Markovic has been cut.
Milo Markovic seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Markovic scores with a jab to the jaw.
Markovic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rigano moves away.
Markovic waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rigano.
Markovic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rigano swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Rigano lands a nice shot to the body.
Markovic looks to land a combination but Rigano avoids it well.
Rigano lands a nice hook to Markovic's body. Markovic takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Markovic scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Markovic throws a right hand that misses
letting Rigano counter with a right hand.
Rigano bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Markovic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rigano moves away.
Rigano jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rigano throws a solid leg kick but Markovic takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Rigano.
Rigano throws a jab when Markovic was well out of range.
Rigano tries a head kick but it misses.
Rigano swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Markovic swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rigano swings for the body but Markovic moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markovic stuns Rigano with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Markovic jabs at Rigano's body.
Rigano with a nice cross.
Rigano does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Rigano takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Rigano is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Markovic.
Markovic looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Markovic rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Rigano counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rigano misses with a body shot.
It seemed like Markovic was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Rigano misses with a looping left.
Rigano swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Markovic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rigano moves away.
An attempted straight right counter from Rigano misses the target.
Markovic loads up on a big right hand but Rigano slips the punch.
Markovic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rigano moves away.
Rigano displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Markovic throws out the jab.
Rigano takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Rigano throws a head kick that misses
and Markovic counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Markovic scores with a jab to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markovic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rigano.
Markovic looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Markovic connects with a looping right hand.
Markovic fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Markovic misses with a hook. Rigano ducked under it nicely.
Rigano lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Markovic at a distance.
Rigano throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Markovic on the side of the head.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Rigano.
Rigano scores with a crisp jab that stopped Markovic in his tracks.
Markovic tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rigano was well out of range. Poor timing from Markovic.
Rigano misses with a head kick.
Rigano misses with a body punch
and Markovic counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Markovic moves out of range of the strikes.
Markovic swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Markovic misses with a right hand
and Rigano counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A looping hook to the body misses from Markovic. Rigano does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rigano thumps Markovic with a low kick.
Rigano swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Milo Markovic will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Milo Markovic's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Rigano keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rigano throws a poor cross that misses
and Markovic cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rigano throws a lazy right hand but Markovic sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rigano throws a right hand that misses
and Markovic counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rigano feints and then cracks Markovic's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Markovic down.
Rigano ducks under a wild hook from Markovic.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Rigano, as that shot connected.
Rigano swings widly with a right hand
and Markovic counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Markovic misses with a wild body shot.
Rigano looks to land a right hand but Markovic moved out of range.
Markovic waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rigano.
Markovic throws a lazy right hand but Rigano sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Markovic has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big right from Rigano misses.
Rigano just misses with a punch to the body.
No luck for Rigano with that takedown attempt.
Rigano slips a jab and a cross from Markovic.
Rigano takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markovic misses with an uppercut. Rigano saw that one coming.
Markovic ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Rigano lands a nice looking body shot.
Rigano pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rigano avoids the body shot from Markovic.
Markovic checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Good work by Markovic as he checks the leg kick.
Markovic throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rigano takes one on the button.
Good exchange - Markovic coming out on top.
Markovic throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Markovic takes one on the button.
Markovic scores with a nice strike.
Rigano avoids the body shot from Markovic.
Rigano avoids the body shot from Markovic.
Rigano staying out of range there.
Rigano walks into a straight right hand from Markovic.
Cliff Rigano has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Donk. Rigano catches Markovic right on the button with a cross.
A swing and a miss from Markovic.
A jab from Rigano misses.
Rigano slips a jab from Markovic.
Rigano loads up on a big right hand but Markovic slips the punch.
Markovic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rigano moves away.
Markovic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rigano manages to avoid it.
Markovic comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Markovic throws a body punch but Rigano moves out of range.
Markovic ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Markovic swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Markovic takes one to the chin there.
Markovic cracks Rigano with a right hand to the side of the head.
Rigano tried to score with a low kick but Markovic checks it.
Rigano throws a body shot but no joy.
Rigano takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Rigano ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Markovic closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rigano takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Rigano scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Rigano is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Markovic scores with a body shot.
Markovic misses with the combination.
Rigano moves out of range of the strikes.
Markovic slips under a jab.
Milo Markovic is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Rigano fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Markovic has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Rigano closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Rigano misses with a wild body shot.
Markovic throws a body shot but no joy.
A slow jab from Rigano misses its intended target.
A nice side step and Markovic releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Rigano throws a wild body kick that Markovic sees coming a mile off.
Rigano looks to land a right hand but Markovic moved out of range.
Markovic let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Markovic looks to land a combination but Rigano avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markovic lands a slapping body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rigano throws out a loose jab but Markovic uses good head movement to avoid it.
A little jabbing left from Markovic on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Rigano lands with a thumping leg kick.
Markovic throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rigano works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Markovic uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Rigano has time to react.
Rigano throws a shot from downtown. Markovic moves away and avoids it.
Rigano misses with an uppercut. Markovic saw that one coming.
A telegraphed right hand from Markovic misses the target.
Markovic takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Rigano takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Markovic scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Rigano throws a head kick but Markovic moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rigano just misses with a punch to the body.
Rigano throws a lazy uppercut
and Markovic counters with a stiff right hand.
Rigano misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Markovic.
Markovic uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rigano.

And that's the end of the fight!
Milo Markovic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Markovic 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Milo Markovic!
After the big win, Milo Markovic made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Victory! Sports Nutrition and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.