PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Naru Jarkko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Martin Riggs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jarkko comes to the cage accompanied by Hawaii 78 & E ala E. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Martin Riggs was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Jarkko
vs
Riggs

180 cm
36
155 lbs
37 - 16 - 0

177 cm
34
168 lbs
33 - 20 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Kemists ↑ 5x160Q
Hellbent

Australian Xtreme Elite Supplements 160Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 37 - 16 - 0, fighting out of London, Naru Jarkko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 20 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Martin Riggs!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Riggs waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Jarkko.
Riggs tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Jarkko manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Jarkko uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Riggs.
Riggs jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Jarkko throws a solid leg kick but Riggs takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Jarkko.
Riggs swings for the body but Jarkko moves out of range.
Jarkko feinted with a counter takedown.
Nice shot by Jarkko.
Riggs tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Riggs throws a body shot but no joy.
Jarkko tries to counter with a takedown but Riggs is quick to defend against it.
An inside leg kick lands from Riggs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jarkko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Riggs lands a nice hook to Jarkko's body. Jarkko takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Riggs has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Jarkko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Riggs.
Jarkko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Riggs.
Riggs throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riggs takes one on the button.
A lazy left from Riggs finds it's target.
Riggs is looking to score with low kicks.
Jarkko thows a body kick. Riggs tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Riggs takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Jarkko moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Jarkko throws a nice head kick!
Naru Jarkko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Riggs ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Riggs dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Riggs misses with a low kick.
Jarkko feinted with a counter takedown.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jarkko lands a body shot.
Riggs cracks Jarkko with an open hand slap.
Riggs misses the shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jarkko forces Riggs back against the cage and clinches.
Jarkko prevents a body shot from Riggs.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Jarkko creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Jarkko scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Riggs throws a head punch that misses.
A frustrated look appears on Jarkko's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Jarkko manages to break the clinch.
A jab from Jarkko finds it's way through Riggs's defenses.
Jarkko fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Riggs checks it well.
Jarkko misses with an uppercut. Riggs saw that one coming.
Jarkko keeps Riggs at a distance using the push kick.
Jarkko moves away from the strike by Riggs.
Jarkko has been working on his balance at ~T~ Troid - Gym, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Riggs.
Riggs avoids the body shot from Jarkko.
Jarkko thows a leg kick but Riggs checks it
and Riggs counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riggs throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Jarkko counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Riggs not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Riggs working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Jarkko.
Jarkko is pushing down on Riggs's leg trying to pass to half guard. Riggs is fighting to maintain full guard but Jarkko has managed to sneak the leg through.
Jarkko lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Jarkko seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Riggs does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Jarkko throwing shots but Riggs is blocking nicely.
Riggs tries to roll over but Jarkko keeps him under control.
Riggs is concentrating on defense, preventing Jarkko from advancing position.
Riggs wants to control but Jarkko is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Riggs regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Jarkko.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riggs will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Riggs looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Riggs is trying to keep Jarkko in close.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Jarkko 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.
Jarkko postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Jarkko closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Riggs did well to prevent Jarkko getting side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jarkko thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Riggs's head.
Riggs tries to get to full guard but Jarkko has control of the leg.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Riggs keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Naru Jarkko dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Riggs wants to clinch but Jarkko slips to the side

and Jarkko counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Riggs wants to improve his position but Jarkko is controlling well.
Jarkko is trying to control. Riggs wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Jarkko stalling away here and it's allowed Riggs to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Riggs tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Riggs is trying to keep Jarkko in close.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jarkko throws a big right hand that misses.
Jarkko trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Riggs preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riggs is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Riggs looking to hit a scissor sweep but Jarkko is one step ahead there.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Jarkko throws a half hearted mid kick.
Riggs was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.

Jarkko shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Jarkko was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Jarkko cracks Riggs with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Riggs is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Jarkko off and has taken his back!
Riggs lands a shot to the head.
Jarkko is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Riggs can do to turn this around?
Riggs is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Riggs gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Riggs gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Riggs apologises and we restart here on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riggs thows a left - swing and a miss!
Riggs needs to keep his hands up - Jarkko had a free shot at his head there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Riggs connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Riggs takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A big left from Riggs misses.
Riggs throws a hook but Jarkko blocks it.
The crowd cheers as Jarkko lands an impressive looking overhand right. Riggs doesn't seem phased though.
Riggs wants to clinch up but Jarkko keeps it at a distance.
Jarkko throws a head kick that misses
and Riggs counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Jarkko lands a jab-cross combination.
Jarkko misses with a wild body shot.
Jarkko scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riggs turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Jarkko moves out of range of the body kick.
Jarkko with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Riggs misses with a leg kick

and Jarkko counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Riggs moves into full guard.
Riggs is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Jarkko content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Riggs trying to control the position.
Jarkko cracks Riggs with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jarkko is working Riggs over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Riggs is trying to keep Jarkko in close.
Jarkko wants to control from the top but Riggs keeps moving.
Riggs pulls Jarkko in close to prevent any damage.
Jarkko postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Riggs looking for a sweep. Not yet Riggs, not yet.
Jarkko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Jarkko is pushing down on Riggs's leg trying to pass to half guard. Riggs is fighting to maintain full guard but Jarkko has managed to sneak the leg through.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Naru Jarkko dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Jarkko punishes Riggs's body with a nice straight punch.
Riggs tries to work over Jarkko's front leg with a kick but Jarkko checks it.
Jarkko is looking to land body kicks.
Riggs tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Jarkko 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.
Jarkko misses with a body punch
and Riggs makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Jarkko throws a front kick aimed at Riggs's knee but Riggs avoids it well.
Jarkko uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Riggs.
Riggs misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jarkko lands a jab.
Jarkko fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Riggs let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Jarkko wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jarkko fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Riggs has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Jarkko throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Riggs was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Riggs throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Jarkko counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Jarkko is working Riggs over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Jarkko throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Jarkko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Riggs is keeping the position for now.
Riggs bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Jarkko's guard.

Riggs trying to control the position from guard on top but Jarkko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riggs is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Jarkko is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Riggs working some strikes from top position.
Riggs wants to control from the top but Jarkko keeps moving.
Naru Jarkko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riggs in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Jarkko keeping moving, preventing Riggs from controlling successfully.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Jarkko working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Riggs.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Riggs takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Jarkko checks a low kick from Riggs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Jarkko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Jarkko checks a low kick from Riggs.
Riggs scores with a jab. Jarkko acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Riggs lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Riggs throws a low kick but Jarkko avoids it.
Riggs lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Jarkko checks the leg kick.
Riggs checks a leg kick nicely.
Jarkko takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Riggs lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Jarkko changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Riggs tries to avoid it but Jarkko manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Riggs to the ground. Riggs escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Jarkko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Riggs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Naru Jarkko did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Jarkko misses with a low kick.
Riggs scoring well with a low kick there.
Jarkko misses with a low kick.
A leg kick checked by Jarkko.
Jarkko attempts a counter takedown but Riggs avoids it well and moves away.
Jarkko lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Jarkko looks to throw the jab but Riggs is out of range.
Riggs throws an overhand right that lands on Jarkko's shoulder, as Jarkko tries to avoid the shot.
Riggs swings for the body but Jarkko moves out of range.
Jarkko slips under a jab from Riggs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jarkko misses with a looping left.
Jarkko takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Riggs lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Riggs moves out of range as Jarkko strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jarkko scores with a jab to the head.
Jarkko throws a leg kick
enabling Riggs to counter with a crisp jab.
Riggs throws a low kick but Jarkko avoids it.
Jarkko appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Jarkko bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Riggs scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Jarkko scores with a nice body kick.
Riggs throws a jab when Jarkko was well out of range.
Riggs thows a leg kick but Jarkko checks it

and Jarkko counters with a shoot takedown. Riggs fights it but they end up in guard.
Riggs utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Jarkko wants to pass the guard but Riggs is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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.
Jarkko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Jarkko accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Jarkko looking to pass the guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jarkko scoring with some ground and pound.
Riggs preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Riggs preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Jarkko passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riggs is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Jarkko seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Jarkko missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Riggs gets full guard.
Jarkko throws an elbow that misses. Riggs uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Jarkko's guard. Nice move by Riggs!

Riggs passes Jarkko's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Jarkko blocking the ground and pound attempt from Riggs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riggs trying to control from half guard but Jarkko is working away.
Riggs might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Jarkko haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Riggs prevents Jarkko from improving his position.
Jarkko works his way to full guard. Good work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Riggs trying to control the position from guard on top but Jarkko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Naru Jarkko had his way with Martin Riggs in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Riggs is looking to clinch.
Jarkko feinted with a counter takedown.
Riggs moves away from the strike by Jarkko.
Jarkko scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Jarkko on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Riggs. Riggs obviously looking to wear him down.
Riggs misses with a leg kick

and Jarkko counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Jarkko's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Jarkko throwing strikes from guard but Riggs blocks nicely.
Jarkko postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Riggs keeping full guard, as Jarkko tries to pass.
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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jarkko throwing strikes but missing.
Jarkko throwing strikes but missing.
Riggs seems keen to control Jarkko's posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Jarkko misses with a low kick.
Nice sprawl there from Riggs as Jarkko shoots in.
Riggs tries a quick counter leg kick but Jarkko is wise to it.
Riggs steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Jarkko. That one must have hurt.
Riggs throws a jab when Jarkko was well out of range.
Naru Jarkko is winning the standup battle so far.
Riggs uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jarkko.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riggs swings for the body but Jarkko moves out of range.
Jarkko wants to clinch.
Riggs displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Martin Riggs has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Riggs throws a leg kick that misses.
Riggs getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Nice takedown defense from Riggs. No joy for Jarkko on that attempt.
Jarkko wants to slow Riggs down by chopping away at his legs.
Jarkko cracks the inside of Riggs's front leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Jarkko.
Riggs scores with a sloppy right hand. Jarkko should have avoided that one.
Jarkko lands a nice looking body kick.
Jarkko checks the leg kick nicely there.
Jarkko thows a body kick. Riggs tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Naru Jarkko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Riggs avoids a punch combination nicely.
Jarkko buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Jarkko lands with a hook. Riggs tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Riggs swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jarkko slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Riggs walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Jarkko slips under a jab.
Jarkko attempts a counter takedown but Riggs avoids it well and moves away.
Martin Riggs is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jarkko misses with an uppercut.
A looping hook to the body misses from Riggs. Jarkko does a little dance to reset his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jarkko lands with an uppercut that bounces Riggs off the cage and back into range.
Jarkko slips a jab from Riggs.
Jarkko 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.
A low kick from Riggs is predictable there

and Jarkko counters with a takedown into side control.
Riggs is looking for a sweep.

Jarkko tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Riggs chipping away with strikes from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Naru Jarkko showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Jarkko has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 50:45
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 50:45
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 50:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Naru Jarkko!
Naru Jarkko thanked the fans post fight for their support.