PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Spencer Rigs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Woodward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Rigs
vs
Woodward

178 cm
19
195 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

185 cm
22
185 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Spencer Rigs!
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, Alex Woodward!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Alexandre Firmino and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Woodward closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Woodward looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Rigs is pressing down on Woodward's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Rigs working for a triangle but Woodward defends it easily.
Woodward stopping the sweep attempt from Rigs.
Rigs trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Woodward stopping the sweep attempt from Rigs.
Rigs manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Rigs in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Woodward is trying desperately to improve position.
Rigs landing shots from mount.
Woodward tries to reverse the position but Rigs maintains control.
Rigs connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Rigs landing punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rigs connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Woodward is looking to improve his position but Rigs isn't that keen on the idea.
Rigs with a couple of short strikes.

Rigs looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Rigs is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Woodward can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Rigs punishing his opponent with strikes.
Rigs raining down shots from the mount!

Rigs has control of Woodward's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Woodward regains control of the situation pretty easily.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Woodward working to try and regain half guard.
Woodward is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Rigs lands a big elbow.
Rigs postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Woodward looks a forlorn figure.
Woodward tries to reverse the position but Rigs maintains control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Woodward takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Woodward tries to reverse the position but Rigs maintains control.
Rigs trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Woodward looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!

Rigs is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Woodward is defending well though. Rigs let's go of the attempt for now.
Woodward covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.

Rigs looking for the RNC.
Woodward rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Woodward slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Rigs landing some decent shots from guard.
Woodward tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rigs tries to free his leg and advance position but Woodward is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rigs avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rigs wants to control from the top but Woodward keeps moving.

Rigs drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rigs jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Rigs advances position into side control!
Woodward takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Rigs 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.
Woodward taking a bit of punishment here - Rigs scoring with strikes.
Woodward tries to improve position but can't.
Rigs landing strikes.
Woodward takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Woodward manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Woodward is trying to work for a kimura but Rigs is defending well.
Rigs is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Rigs manages to get to full guard.
Rigs bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Woodward's guard.
Rigs slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Woodward is working to avoid the ground and pound but Rigs connects with a decent elbow.
Woodward is looking to regain half guard here but Rigs keeps moving and retains side control.
Rigs tries to advance to mount but can't.
Woodward is trying to get back to half guard.
Woodward gets back to half guard.
Woodward works his way to full guard. Good work.
Woodward looking for a sweep. Not yet Woodward, not yet.
Rigs lands a couple of elbows.

Rigs thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Rigs slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Rigs cracks Woodward with a big right hand but Woodward just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Spencer Rigs dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Rigs misses with a takedown attempt

and Woodward counters with a single leg into guard. Rigs didn't expect that.
Rigs manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Rigs prevents Woodward from getting the reversal.
Rigs punishing his opponent with strikes.
Woodward is trying to escape the mount.
Rigs looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Woodward is looking to get to half guard.
Rigs lands a big elbow.
Woodward is looking to improve his position but Rigs isn't that keen on the idea.
Rigs is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Rigs landing shots from mount.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rigs connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Woodward tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rigs landing punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Woodward is wriggling around trying to escape.
Rigs in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Rigs landing strikes from the mount.
Woodward regains half guard.
Rigs prevents Woodward from improving his position.
Woodward slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Rigs distracts Woodward with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Woodward wants to sweep but no luck.

Woodward looking for a guillotine here but Rigs defends easily.
Woodward looking for a sweep. Not yet Woodward, not yet.
Rigs stands up over Woodward, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rigs shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Woodward decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Rigs's guard.

Woodward postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Rigs is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Woodward, into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Woodward working for a triangle but Rigs defends it easily.

Woodward has his foot on Rigs's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rigs works his way back into a safe position though.
Woodward keeping moving, preventing Rigs from controlling successfully.
Woodward manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Rigs tries to hold on but Woodward pushes him away.

Woodward wants to finish this one by submission but Rigs is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Woodward.
Woodward prevents Rigs from getting the reversal.
Rigs is working hard here to advance position.

Woodward looking to secure an arm triangle but Rigs defends it well.
Rigs tries to reverse the position but Woodward maintains control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Woodward working for a guillotine from mount but Rigs is in no mood to give up.
Rigs tries to hold on but Woodward pushes him away.
Woodward prevents Rigs from getting the reversal.

Woodward working for a submission but Rigs is keeping him at bay.
Rigs is looking to improve his position but Woodward isn't that keen on the idea.
Rigs bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Rigs with a nice head shot there.
Rigs pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Woodward is keeping the position for now.
Rigs trying to control but Woodward is working from the bottom.

Woodward is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rigs trying to control the position from guard on top but Woodward is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rigs lands a couple of elbows.

Rigs is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Rigs pushing down on Woodward's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Woodward wants to improve his position but Rigs is controlling well.
Rigs seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Woodward manages to get to full guard.

Woodward has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rigs can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Woodward throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rigs lands a couple of decent looking shots.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Woodward is on top in guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Woodward passes easily into side control. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Woodward showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Rigs misses with a takedown

and Woodward counters with a single leg into guard. Rigs didn't expect that.
Alex Woodward has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rigs 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.

Woodward thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Woodward drops back, looking for a kneebar! Rigs looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Rigs looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Rigs!
Woodward sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Woodward is looking to improve his position.
Rigs drops an elbow to the side of Woodward's head.
Rigs thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Woodward's head.
Woodward gets back to full guard.
Rigs cracks Woodward with a solid left hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Woodward lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Rigs!

Woodward working for a submission but Rigs is keeping him at bay.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rigs is working to get back to half guard.
Rigs has given up his back. Will we see Woodward going for some submissions?

Woodward is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Rigs is defending well though. Woodward let's go of the attempt for now.
Rigs is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Woodward not allowing Rigs to control his hands.
Rigs breaks Woodward's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Rigs wants to control from the top but Woodward keeps moving.
Woodward wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rigs controlling the pace.
Rigs wants to free his trapped foot but Woodward is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Woodward actively working from the bottom here.
Rigs working over Woodward with some ground and pound. Woodward looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Rigs trying to pass the guard but Woodward defending well.

Rigs is looking for a kimura but Woodward is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rigs to get the leverage.
Woodward blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rigs.

Woodward looking for submissions off his back.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rigs tries for a takedown but Woodward circles away easily

and Woodward counters with a takedown into side control.

Woodward wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rigs, who protects the arm well.
Rigs manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Rigs regains full guard. Nicely done.
Rigs throws a couple of heel strikes.

Rigs is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rigs looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Woodward pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rigs is keeping the position for now.

Rigs looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Woodward pushing down on Rigs's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Woodward wants to pass the guard but Rigs is defending well.
Rigs tries to roll over but Woodward keeps him under control.
Rigs makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rigs.
Rigs thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Rigs is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rigs looking to hit a scissor sweep but Woodward is one step ahead there.
Woodward passes Rigs's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Rigs is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Woodward looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Rigs manages to get to full guard.

Woodward drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Woodward jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Rigs is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Woodward advances to half guard.
Woodward looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Rigs is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Woodward is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rigs defends it well.
Rigs makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rigs.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Woodward comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Woodward has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Woodward!