PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Riggs (ranked 1710 p4p, 202 weight class) and Johnny Cage (ranked 1649 p4p, 196 weight class). Cage has chosen Walk - Pantera as his entrance music. This should be a great matchup!

Riggs
vs
Cage

190 cm
30
286 lbs
16 - 7 - 2

190 cm
38
270 lbs
31 - 13 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Groove Gear
Sportivité

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 2, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ryan Riggs!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Johnny Cage!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Ian Loll and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cage lunges at Riggs with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Riggs's hand.

It looks like Ryan Riggs has been cut.
Riggs throws the left hand but Cage avoids the punch easily.
It seemed like Cage was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Cage avoids a kick to the body.
Cage is looking to clinch but Riggs is avoiding it.
Riggs drops down looking for a counter takedown but Cage sprawls and moves away.
Riggs stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Cage.

Cage gets a clinch.

Cage pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Riggs goes for a double leg but Cage avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Cage continues to drive forward.

Cage has taken the fight to the clinch.
Cage keeps control of Riggs as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Riggs is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Cage gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Riggs trying to land knees to the body.
Riggs blocks an uppercut.
Riggs blocking some punches.
Cage blocks an uppercut.
Riggs tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Cage misses with a punch on the inside.
Cage lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Riggs.
Cage scores with a shoulder strike.
We've been hearing reports that Riggs has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Riggs wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryan Riggs. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Cage.
Cage scores with a nice hook to the head.
Cage lands with a light punch inside.
Riggs is breathing heavily.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Riggs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cage lands a nice uppercut.
Cage lands with a left to the head.
Cage is pressed up against the cage. Riggs has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Cage down to the mat. Cage avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Cage has managed to clinch.
Cage lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Cage breaks the clinch.

Riggs dives in and scores a takedown into Cage's guard.

Cage has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Riggs has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cage scores with a shot to the side of Riggs's head.
Riggs is trying to drag Cage to the mat but Cage just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Cage lands a left hand that snaps the head of Riggs backwards.
Riggs is trying to break the clinch but Cage has him pressed against the cage.
Cage tries a body shot but Riggs blocks it.

Cage breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Riggs missing with a left hand there. Cage was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Riggs throws a left and a right that both miss
and Cage counters with a thumping low kick.
Cage scores with a hook to the body. Riggs takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Cage closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cage escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cage throws an off balance right hand
and Riggs counters with a stiff right hand.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Cage pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Riggs shoots in for a double leg but Cage sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Riggs swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cage staying out of range there.

Riggs shoots in and gets a takedown into Cage's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Cage avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Riggs in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Cage 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.
Riggs landing with the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Riggs throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riggs loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Riggs with a nice head shot there.
Cage pulls Riggs in to control the position.
Riggs with a nice head shot there.
Cage trying to control the position here.
Riggs postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cage wants to stand up but Riggs is controlling him.
Riggs postures up in Cage's guard and throws a big left but Cage blocks it.
Riggs 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.
Riggs in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Riggs throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riggs throwing strikes but missing.
Riggs in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Riggs is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Cage keeping moving, preventing Riggs from controlling successfully.
Riggs in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Cage is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Riggs throws a jab when Cage was well out of range.
Johnny Cage is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cage blocks a leg kick.
Cage takes a jab right on the kisser.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Cage dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ryan Riggs's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Riggs thuds his right hand into Cage's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Cage checks a leg kick.
Cage steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Riggs.
A nice side step and Cage releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Ryan Riggs seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cage rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Riggs counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Cage avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cage throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice defenses there by Cage.
Riggs shoots in for a double leg but Cage sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cage lands with an overhand left.
Riggs looks to land a combination. Cage sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Cage connects with a solid leg kick.

Riggs shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Cage manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Riggs postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Riggs is in close to Cage's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Cage preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Cage is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riggs scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Riggs is looking to work some ground and pound but Cage has wrist control.
Riggs working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Cage keeping moving, preventing Riggs from controlling successfully.
Riggs throws an elbow that misses. Cage uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Riggs's guard. Nice move by Cage!

Riggs 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.

Riggs isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Cage stacks Riggs on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Cage!
Cage wants to stand but Riggs is controlling his arm.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riggs is looking for a sweep.

Cage stands up and we're back to a striking position.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cage. Riggs does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cage avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cage takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Cage swings for the body but Riggs moves out of range.
A bone on bone clash there as Cage blocks the leg kick.
Riggs looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cage is fending him off so far but Riggs persists. Nope, Cage circles away and we're back to standing.
Cage swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Cage tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Riggs paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Cage's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Riggs connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Cage scrambles back to his feet.
Cage throws an overhand right that lands on Riggs's shoulder, as Riggs tries to avoid the shot.

Riggs closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Cage did well to prevent Riggs getting side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cage preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Riggs is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riggs sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Cage defending well though.
Cage blocking the ground and pound attempt from Riggs.
Riggs working the head and body with strikes.
Riggs thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cage's head.
Cage regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Riggs.
Riggs trying to control the position from guard on top but Cage is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cage utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cage preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Riggs working some strikes from top position.
Riggs trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Cage has his hands on Riggs's head, controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Riggs throws a big elbow that misses.
Riggs throwing strikes from guard but Cage blocks nicely.
Riggs throws a big elbow that misses.
Riggs is looking to work some ground and pound but Cage has wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Riggs dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ryan Riggs's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

A big left from Riggs misses.
Cage bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Riggs's head.

Ryan Riggs's cut is getting worse.
Riggs shoots in but no luck this time.
Riggs shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cage as he avoids it easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Cage! But no joy.
Cage slaps away a takedown attempt from Riggs, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryan Riggs. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Riggs takes a swing at Cage's ribcage but misses.
Jab, jab by Riggs - just one landing.
Cage defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Riggs.
Riggs just misses with a punch to the body.
Riggs chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Cage can pounce on him.
Riggs has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Riggs there as he acknowledges the shot.
Cage goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Riggs looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
It seemed like Cage was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Riggs throws a low kick but Cage avoids it.
Cage appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Riggs blocks a jab.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Riggs throws a hook to the side of Cage's head but Cage sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Riggs swats away the attempt to clinch by Cage.
Riggs swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cage looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Cage moves out of range as Riggs strikes.
Riggs swats away the attempt to clinch by Cage.
Cage misses with an uppercut.
Riggs fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Cage on the side of the head.
Riggs misses with a takedown attempt
and Cage counters with an outside leg kick.
Cage chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Cage scores with a nice strike.

Ryan Riggs's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Riggs has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Cage.
Riggs shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cage sprawls well. Cage wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Riggs gets slowly back to his feet.
Cage jabs Riggs to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cage lands a big uppercut and Riggs crumbles to the floor! The ref thinks about stopping the fight but Riggs looks OK. Cage waves Riggs back to his feet!

Riggs is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Riggs lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Oh Riggs is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Cage darts in and clinches Riggs up against the cage.
Riggs seems to have got his legs back now.
Cage lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Riggs backwards.

Jeez, Ryan Riggs's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Cage lands a body punch in the clinch.

Cage breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Riggs swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Cage counters with a big right hand! Oh Riggs is in trouble here! Cage follows up with more strikes and that's it! The ref has stopped it!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:26 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Johnny Cage!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Johnny Cage waved his t-shirt featuring Groove Gear's logo in front of the cameras.