PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tane Te Rauparaha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mo Riggins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Te Rauparaha comes to the cage accompanied by Get Ready - Concord Dawn ft Scribe. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Te Rauparaha
vs
Riggins

190 cm
24
190 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

185 cm
22
194 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ka-POW Clothing

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 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tane Te Rauparaha!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mo Riggins!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Damien Edna and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Riggins works Te Rauparaha's body with a nice hook.
Riggins works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Te Rauparaha misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Riggins scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Te Rauparaha doesn't seem bothered though.
Nice straight punches there by Te Rauparaha. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Te Rauparaha.
Riggins waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Te Rauparaha.
Decent striking displayed by Riggins there.
Riggins fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Te Rauparaha manages to avoid it.
Nice shot lands for Riggins.
A solid leg kick lands there for Te Rauparaha.
Riggins blocks a head kick by Te Rauparaha.
Te Rauparaha throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Te Rauparaha motions for Riggins to come forward. Te Rauparaha throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Te Rauparaha lands an overhand right.
Riggins will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A slow jab from Riggins misses its intended target.
Te Rauparaha avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Riggins moves out of range of the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Te Rauparaha doesn't manage to clinch there - Riggins circles away.
Riggins waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Te Rauparaha.
Riggins jabs Te Rauparaha right on the nose. Te Rauparaha blinks but takes it well.
Riggins works over Te Rauparaha's head and body with a nice combination.
Te Rauparaha fails in his attempt to clinch.
Te Rauparaha works the jab nicely.
Te Rauparaha misses with a head kick.
Te Rauparaha 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.
Te Rauparaha takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Te Rauparaha scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Te Rauparaha lands a head kick!
Riggins scores with a hook to the body. Te Rauparaha takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Te Rauparaha has managed to clinch.
Te Rauparaha missing with knees to the body.
Te Rauparaha misses with an elbow strike.
Te Rauparaha keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Riggins's efforts to push away.
Te Rauparaha lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Mo Riggins has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riggins trying to control the position but instead, Te Rauparaha has worked for underhooks and has pushed Riggins into the cage.
Te Rauparaha prevents Riggins from breaking the clinch.
Te Rauparaha trying to land knees to the body.

Te Rauparaha pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Riggins throws a jab but it's blocked by Te Rauparaha.
Te Rauparaha throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Te Rauparaha turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Te Rauparaha lands a nice leg kick that just misses Riggins's sensitive parts.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A big right from Te Rauparaha misses.
Te Rauparaha pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A solid leg kick lands there for Te Rauparaha.
Te Rauparaha tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Riggins is able to avoid easily.
Te Rauparaha waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Riggins.
Te Rauparaha misses with a combination
and Riggins counters with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Te Rauparaha looks to score with a jab to the body but Riggins is just out of range.
Riggins lands a body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Te Rauparaha looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Riggins throws a lazy right hand but Te Rauparaha sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Te Rauparaha tries to work over Riggins's front leg with a kick but Riggins checks it.
Te Rauparaha throws a sloppy head kick and Riggins moves out of range easily.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Te Rauparaha, as that shot connected.
Riggins dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Te Rauparaha dodges the punch combination from Riggins.
A solid body kick from Te Rauparaha.
Te Rauparaha uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Riggins.
Riggins scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Te Rauparaha moves in looking to clinch but Riggins pushes him off.
Riggins just misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riggins scores with a punch to the head.
Riggins just misses with a punch to the body.
Te Rauparaha uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Riggins.
Te Rauparaha throws a wild body kick that Riggins sees coming a mile off.
Riggins misses with a wild body shot.
Riggins lands with a straight right. Te Rauparaha didn't see that one coming.
Riggins avoids the head kick by Te Rauparaha.
Te Rauparaha walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A looping hook to the body misses from Riggins. Te Rauparaha does a little dance to reset his feet.
Te Rauparaha throws a leg kick that misses.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Riggins, as that shot connected.
Riggins throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Riggins misses with a wild combination.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Riggins checks a leg kick.
Riggins misses with a few strikes there.
Riggins cracks Te Rauparaha with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
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 Tane Te Rauparaha will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mo Riggins's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Te Rauparaha throws a nice head kick!
A cross from Riggins lands.
Riggins throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Te Rauparaha.
Te Rauparaha takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Te Rauparaha takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Te Rauparaha throws a nice looking combination but Riggins bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Te Rauparaha steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Riggins.
Te Rauparaha slips a jab and a cross from Riggins.
Te Rauparaha misses with a body shot.
Te Rauparaha throws a head kick that misses.
Te Rauparaha feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Riggins's calf.
Riggins misses with a wild body shot.
A head kick misses from Riggins.
Riggins goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Riggins misses with a looping left.
A jab from Riggins misses.
Te Rauparaha connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Te Rauparaha closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Te Rauparaha escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Te Rauparaha rushes Riggins and presses him up against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Te Rauparaha breaks from the clinch.
Riggins ducks under a wild hook from Te Rauparaha.
Riggins takes a swing at Te Rauparaha's ribcage but misses.
Riggins uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Te Rauparaha.
Riggins swings for the body but Te Rauparaha moves out of range.
Te Rauparaha lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Riggins circles away quickly and effectively.
Riggins swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Te Rauparaha tries to close the distance and clinch but Riggins swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Riggins lands a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Te Rauparaha throws a hook but Riggins avoids it easily.
Riggins scores with a body shot.
Te Rauparaha takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Te Rauparaha throws the left hand but Riggins avoids the punch easily.
Te Rauparaha throws a body kick the misses
and Riggins makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Tane Te Rauparaha is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Te Rauparaha slips a jab and a cross from Riggins.
A jab from Riggins finds it's way through Te Rauparaha's defenses.
Riggins scores with a nice strike.
Te Rauparaha darts in trying to clinch
and Riggins counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Te Rauparaha throws a left and a right that both miss
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Riggins scores with a jab to the body.
Riggins lands with a thumping leg kick.
Te Rauparaha misses with a body shot
and Te Rauparaha takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Te Rauparaha thows a body shot but no joy.
Te Rauparaha has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Te Rauparaha misses with the body kick
and Riggins counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Riggins rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Te Rauparaha moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Riggins scores with a body shot.
Te Rauparaha throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Te Rauparaha finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Te Rauparaha tries to clinch up but Riggins circles away and keeps his distance.
Riggins is looking to slow Te Rauparaha down with leg kicks.
Riggins uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Te Rauparaha.
Te Rauparaha tries to clinch up but Riggins circles away and keeps his distance.
Riggins scores with a jab to the body.
Riggins looks to land a right hand but Te Rauparaha moved out of range.
Good shot there by Riggins.
Te Rauparaha scores with a push kick.
Te Rauparaha is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Te Rauparaha takes a jab right on the kisser.
Riggins showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Te Rauparaha.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Te Rauparaha tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Riggins counters with a left to the body.
Riggins slips a jab from Te Rauparaha.
Riggins misses with a double jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Riggins. Te Rauparaha does a little dance to reset his feet.
Riggins misses with a shot to the body
and Te Rauparaha counters with an outside leg kick.
Te Rauparaha throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Riggins's head.
Te Rauparaha throws a lazy right hand but Riggins sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Te Rauparaha misses with the combination.
Nice shot lands for Riggins.
Riggins punishes Te Rauparaha's body with a nice straight punch.
Riggins misses with a body shot.
Mo Riggins seems to be getting the better of the standup.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Riggins lands a jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Riggins scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Riggins lands with a thumping leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mo Riggins showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mo Riggins's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Te Rauparaha defending well as Riggins loads up on a big left hand.
Te Rauparaha tries a head kick but it misses.
Riggins swings for the body but Te Rauparaha moves out of range.
Riggins ducks under a wild hook from Te Rauparaha.
Riggins throws a jab when Te Rauparaha was well out of range.
Riggins looks to throw the jab but Te Rauparaha is out of range.
A leg kick checked by Riggins.
Riggins lands a nice leg kick that just misses Te Rauparaha's sensitive parts.
Te Rauparaha throws a nice inside leg kick.
Te Rauparaha checks the leg kick.
Te Rauparaha wants to land a leg kick but Riggins is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Te Rauparaha misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Riggins punishes Te Rauparaha's body with a nice straight punch.

Te Rauparaha closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Riggins is trying to break free.
A knee to the head by Te Rauparaha.
Te Rauparaha tries to land knees in the clinch but Riggins avoids the damage to the body.
Riggins looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Te Rauparaha tries to land knees in the clinch but Riggins avoids the damage to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Riggins's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Te Rauparaha comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Riggins can't break the clinch.

Te Rauparaha breaks the clinch.
Riggins throws a right and a left that both miss.
Te Rauparaha throws a sloppy head kick and Riggins moves out of range easily.
Riggins throws a hook but Te Rauparaha avoids it easily.
Riggins lands a nice hook to Te Rauparaha's body. Te Rauparaha takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Riggins's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Riggins takes a swing at Te Rauparaha's ribcage but misses.
Te Rauparaha misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Riggins misses with a straight left.
Te Rauparaha throws a head kick that Riggins semi-blocks.
Riggins lands with a shot to the body.
Te Rauparaha takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Riggins with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Riggins getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Te Rauparaha takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Riggins comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Riggins throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Te Rauparaha.
Riggins paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Riggins keeps the fight on the outside.
A lazy left from Riggins finds it's target.
Te Rauparaha wants to clinch up but Riggins keeps it at a distance.
Riggins looks for the body kick but Te Rauparaha saw that one coming.
Te Rauparaha tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Riggins misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Te Rauparaha.
Riggins ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Te Rauparaha moves away.
Te Rauparaha looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Te Rauparaha misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Te Rauparaha uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Riggins.
Riggins rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Te Rauparaha moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Riggins scores with a crisp jab that stopped Te Rauparaha in his tracks.
Te Rauparaha takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riggins bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Te Rauparaha's head backwards.
Riggins throws a shot from downtown. Te Rauparaha moves away and avoids it.
Te Rauparaha connects with a solid leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Riggins misses the target.
A low kick from Riggins is predictable there
and Te Rauparaha counters with a low kick, right behind Riggins 's knee.
Te Rauparaha doesn't manage to clinch there - Riggins circles away.
Riggins is looking to slow Te Rauparaha down with leg kicks.
A slapping leg kick lands for Te Rauparaha.
Te Rauparaha on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Riggins. Te Rauparaha does a little dance to reset his feet.
Te Rauparaha throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Te Rauparaha wants to land a leg kick but Riggins is out of range.
Riggins takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Te Rauparaha lands with a thumping leg kick.
Riggins's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Riggins duly obliges.

Te Rauparaha gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Te Rauparaha throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Riggins blocks it with crossed arms.
Riggins takes an elbow to the forehead.
Te Rauparaha has Riggins pressed against the cage, preventing Riggins from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Te Rauparaha landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Te Rauparaha keeps control of Riggins as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Riggins takes a knee to the side of the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Riggins misses with the head strike.
Riggins taking a breather.
Riggins has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Riggins looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Riggins manages to break the clinch.
Te Rauparaha throws a push kick but Riggins slaps the foot to one side.
Riggins throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Te Rauparaha connects with a right hand. Riggins shakes it off.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Te Rauparaha misses with a body kick.
Te Rauparaha throws a push kick but Riggins slaps the foot to one side.
Te Rauparaha misses with a looping left.

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 Tane Te Rauparaha.
I think Te Rauparaha 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 29:29
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Tane Te Rauparaha!