PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tom Goldstein (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Remero Riggs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tom Goldstein has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Goldstein
vs
Riggs

190 cm
22
195 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

179 cm
19
185 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tom Goldstein!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Remero Riggs!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Leandro Rodrigues and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Goldstein dives in and grabs Riggs's left leg, looking for a takedown. Riggs pushes down on Goldstein's head and hops out.
Riggs misses with a takedown

and Goldstein counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Goldstein trying to control the position from guard on top but Riggs is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Goldstein preventing the sweep.

Goldstein drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Goldstein jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Riggs wants to stand and escape but Goldstein is having none of it.
Goldstein trying to control the position from guard on top but Riggs is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Goldstein will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Riggs is on top in guard.
Riggs working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Riggs landing with the ground and pound.
Riggs really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Goldstein. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Goldstein is trying to keep Riggs in close.

Goldstein has his foot on Riggs's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Riggs works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Goldstein looking for a guillotine here but Riggs defends easily.
Riggs working some strikes from top position.
Riggs content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Riggs wants to control from the top but Goldstein keeps moving.
Riggs makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Riggs trying to control the position from guard on top but Goldstein is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Goldstein has momentary wrist control but Riggs slips an elbow through the middle.
Goldstein keeping full guard, as Riggs tries to pass.
Goldstein can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Riggs controls the pace.

Goldstein is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Riggs drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Riggs jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Goldstein keeping moving, preventing Riggs from controlling successfully.
Riggs must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Goldstein looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Goldstein is breathing heavily.
Riggs won't allow Goldstein to sweep him here.

Goldstein working for a triangle but Riggs defends it easily.
Riggs slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Riggs cracks Goldstein with a big right hand but Goldstein just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Goldstein is trying to get back to half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Riggs cracks Goldstein with a big right hand but Goldstein just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riggs tries to advance to mount but Goldstein denies him.
Riggs wants to control but Goldstein is keeping him busy.
Goldstein is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Riggs off and has taken his back!

Goldstein working for the choke.

Goldstein looking for the choke from the back.
Riggs is in bad spot here.
Riggs wants to control his opponent's hands but Goldstein gets his hands free.
Riggs is trying to break free.

Goldstein is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Riggs is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

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.

Goldstein is persistently looking for the submission but Riggs is defending it well.
Goldstein controlling well, preventing Riggs from escaping the position.
Goldstein gets his hands free as Riggs looks to control.
Riggs prevents Goldstein from getting a body triangle.
Goldstein gets his hands free as Riggs looks to control.
Riggs breaks Goldstein's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Goldstein keeping moving, preventing Riggs from controlling successfully.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Riggs misses with a takedown

and Goldstein counters with a nice double leg into side control. Riggs won't be happy with that.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Goldstein dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Riggs looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Riggs doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Goldstein counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Goldstein wants to control but Riggs is keeping him busy.

Riggs actively working from the bottom here.

Goldstein is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Riggs has managed to free his arm - good work.
Riggs wants to get back to his feet.

Goldstein is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riggs is not content to let Goldstein control the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Riggs shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Goldstein is trying to defend but Riggs finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Riggs drops an elbow to the side of Goldstein's head.
Riggs wants to lay and pray for a moment but Goldstein keeps working.
Goldstein has hold of Riggs's hands but Riggs slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Ground and pound from Riggs.
Goldstein on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Riggs working over Goldstein with some ground and pound. Goldstein looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Riggs scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Riggs missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Goldstein trying to control but Riggs postures up.
Riggs wants to take a breather but Goldstein is having none of it.
Goldstein moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Riggs slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Riggs lands a few punches from side control.
Riggs working away.
Riggs scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Goldstein to see if he's OK.
Goldstein sneaks back into half guard.
Riggs landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Nice strikes from Riggs there.
Riggs slips a nice elbow through Goldstein's hands, connecting with Goldstein's forehead.
Riggs working the head and body with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riggs scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Goldstein is trying to control but can't.
Riggs lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Riggs scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Goldstein is staying active underneath Riggs, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Goldstein has hold of Riggs's hands but Riggs slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Ground and pound from Riggs.
Riggs looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Goldstein moves into full guard.

Goldstein working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Riggs doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Riggs manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Goldstein being controlled here, momentarily.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riggs stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Goldstein swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Riggs wants to control from the top but Goldstein keeps moving.
Riggs is working Goldstein over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Goldstein controls Riggs momentarily but Riggs frees himself.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Goldstein fails with the takedown

and Riggs counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Riggs working over Goldstein with some ground and pound. Goldstein looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Goldstein trying to control but Riggs postures up.
Riggs is trying to control. Goldstein wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Remero Riggs showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Goldstein's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Riggs tries to score a power double leg takedown but Goldstein sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Riggs somewhat.
Goldstein with a lazy takedown attempt

and Riggs counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Riggs.
Goldstein tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Riggs drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Riggs jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Riggs trying to control but Goldstein is working from the bottom.

Goldstein looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Riggs postures up and lands a big shot to Goldstein's brow.

Goldstein had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Riggs defends it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Riggs pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Goldstein is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Riggs moves into the clinch successfully.
Riggs tries to pull guard but Goldstein won't allow it.
Goldstein changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Riggs fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Riggs throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Goldstein was covering up waiting for the punch and Riggs finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Riggs trying to control but Goldstein is working from the bottom.
Riggs looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Goldstein lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Riggs!
Goldstein wants to control the pace but Riggs is squirming around nicely.
Goldstein pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Riggs keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Riggs is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Goldstein seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Riggs is holding on tight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goldstein trying to control but Riggs is having none of it.
Riggs tries to hold on but Goldstein postures up.
Riggs can't escape the position.

Goldstein is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Riggs to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Riggs shrugs it off.
Goldstein with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Riggs is in all sorts of trouble here.

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 is squirming around, avoiding Goldstein's attempts to control the action.
Riggs working to try and regain half guard.
Riggs bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Riggs pushing down on Goldstein's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Riggs lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Riggs scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Goldstein is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Riggs wants to lay and pray for a moment but Goldstein keeps working.

And that's the end of the fight!
Remero Riggs comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Riggs has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:29
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 28:29
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Remero Riggs!