PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jan Zelenka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Derek Riggs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Derek Riggs has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Zelenka
vs
Riggs

182 cm
30
164 lbs
19 - 3 - 1

177 cm
31
168 lbs
28 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jan Zelenka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Derek Riggs!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Riggs throws a jab when Zelenka was well out of range.
Riggs digs a good body shot into Zelenka's ribs.
Riggs dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Good leg kick by Riggs there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Riggs throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A head kick by Zelenka misses
and Riggs counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Zelenka thinking.
Nice body punch from Riggs.
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!
Zelenka throws a leg kick that is checked
and Riggs counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Riggs ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zelenka moves away.
Zelenka fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Riggs is out of range.
Jan Zelenka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice uppercut lands for Riggs. That snapped Zelenka's head back.
Zelenka scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Zelenka scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Zelenka avoids a kick to the body.
Riggs dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Riggs walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Zelenka checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A nice inside leg kick there by Riggs. That's going to slow Zelenka down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zelenka staying out of range there.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Riggs has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Riggs lands with a cross.
Zelenka wants to clinch up but Riggs keeps it at a distance.
Zelenka displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Riggs.
Riggs uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zelenka.
Zelenka looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Zelenka misses with a looping right.
Riggs scores with a decent looking hook.
Riggs displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zelenka throws out the jab.
Riggs pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Riggs fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Zelenka avoids it really well and circles away.
Zelenka lands a leg kick that knocks Riggs off balance momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Zelenka.
Zelenka walks into a left hand.
Zelenka fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Riggs is out of range.
Riggs connects with a combination that backs up Zelenka into the cage. Riggs lands a flurry of punches that gets past Zelenka's guard. Zelenka is down and the referee has seen enough. It is all over! Riggs bursts into tears - this win obviously means a huge amount to him.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:19 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Derek Riggs!
Derek Riggs thanked the fans post fight for their support.
In defeat, Jan Zelenka stepped up to the mic, saying 'what happened?'.