PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ephraim Goodweather (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and William Rigg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Goodweather comes to the cage accompanied by Alkaline Trio - Private Eye. 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.

Goodweather
vs
Rigg

186 cm
23
185 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

184 cm
19
188 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Powerful

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 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ephraim Goodweather!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, William Rigg!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Damien Edna and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rigg looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Goodweather slaps away a takedown attempt from Rigg, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Rigg tries to keep at a distance but Goodweather has taken the fight into the clinch.
Rigg misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rigg lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Rigg tries for a takedown. No joy.
Ephraim Goodweather has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of William Rigg.
Goodweather using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rigg has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rigg takes a knee right on the jaw!
Rigg is trying to force a seperation but Goodweather has the dominant position.
Goodweather lands a nice elbow.
Rigg softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Goodweather tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Goodweather tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rigg avoids it.
Rigg lands a hook to the side of the head.
Goodweather lands an elbow just above Rigg 's eye.
Rigg is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Goodweather is keeping busy.
Goodweather landing knees to the body.
Goodweather landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Rigg looks gassed!
Goodweather is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Goodweather landing knees to the body.
Goodweather looking to throw knees to the head but Rigg is blocking nicely.
Goodweather keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rigg's efforts to push away.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Rigg takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goodweather lands a knee to the body.
Goodweather tries to land a knee to the head but Rigg blocks with his arms.
Rigg misses with the head strike.
Rigg tries to work over Goodweather's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Goodweather landing knees to the head.
Goodweather unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Goodweather lands an elbow inside.
Goodweather throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Rigg blocks it with crossed arms.
Goodweather lands an elbow that stopped Rigg in his tracks for a moment.
A frustrated look appears on Rigg's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Goodweather is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Goodweather lands a damaging elbow.
Goodweather lands an elbow just above Rigg 's eye.
Goodweather utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Goodweather scores a nice knee to the body.
Goodweather connects with a knee to the head.
Goodweather with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Nice elbow from Goodweather.
Goodweather lands an elbow that stopped Rigg in his tracks for a moment.
Goodweather looking to throw knees to the head but Rigg is blocking nicely.
Knees to the body from Goodweather.
Goodweather lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Goodweather using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Goodweather putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Rigg in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knees to the body from Goodweather.
Goodweather lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Rigg drops down looking for an ankle pick but Goodweather pulls his leg out and moves away.
Rigg closes the distance and clinches up with Goodweather, looking for a takedown. Rigg pushes Goodweather against the cage but Goodweather circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Goodweather doesn't manage to clinch there - Rigg circles away.
Rigg wants to clinch

and Goodweather holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Goodweather tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Goodweather throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Goodweather obliges.
Goodweather misses with a knee to the head.

Rigg ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Rigg no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Rigg keeping full guard, as Goodweather tries to pass.

Goodweather stands and steps away. Rigg gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rigg misses with a double jab

and Goodweather counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Rigg is trying to stall.
Goodweather landing knees to the head.
Rigg blocks an elbow strike.
Rigg throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Rigg.

Rigg breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Goodweather keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Rigg gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Goodweather letting Rigg take a breather here.
Rigg tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Goodweather's elbow.
Goodweather putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Rigg in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rigg is trying to maintain a safe position but Goodweather gets an underhook and turns Rigg into the cage.
Rigg works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Goodweather tries to land a knee to the head but Rigg blocks with his arms.
A short uppercut from Rigg.
Nice body punch from Rigg - that landed with a thud.
Rigg lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Goodweather backwards.
Nice body punch from Rigg.
Goodweather prevents Rigg from breaking the clinch.

Rigg pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rigg fails with the takedown

and Goodweather holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Rigg taking a breather.
Goodweather connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rigg's face.
Rigg effectively controlling the action here.
Goodweather landing some nice looking knees to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rigg lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Goodweather landing knees to the head.
Rigg has Goodweather pushed against the cage.
Rigg takes a knee to the side of the body.

Rigg is trying to trip Goodweather. He has hold of a leg but Goodweather is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Rigg persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Goodweather tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Rigg counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rigg.
Rigg misses with a knee strike.
Rigg tries to break the clinch but Goodweather is controlling the position.
Goodweather lands an elbow inside.
Rigg is trying to break free.
Rigg managing to block the knees to the body from Goodweather.
Rigg takes a knee to the side of the body.
Rigg on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Goodweather landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Goodweather tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rigg managing to block the knees to the body from Goodweather.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rigg taking a breather.
Goodweather with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Rigg creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Goodweather avoiding damage as Rigg throws knees to the body.
Rigg throws a punch but it's blocked by Goodweather.
Goodweather lands a damaging elbow.
Rigg fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Goodweather on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rigg takes an elbow to the forehead.
Goodweather tries a knee to the head but Rigg blocks it.
Goodweather misses with a knee strike.
Rigg scores with a nice hook to the head.
Rigg using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Goodweather has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Goodweather scores with a knee to the head.
Rigg looking to slow down the pace here.
Goodweather lands a nice knee to the body.
Rigg takes a knee right on the jaw!
Goodweather misses with a knee strike.
A nice left hand lands by Rigg.
Goodweather utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Rigg just misses with a elbow thrown towards Goodweather's brow.
Goodweather gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rigg.
Ephraim Goodweather has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Goodweather blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Goodweather lands a knee to the head.
A short uppercut from Rigg.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Rigg has a couple of punches blocked by Goodweather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Goodweather tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Rigg works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Goodweather is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rigg is defending well for now.
Good body shot from Rigg.
Rigg tries to score a body lock takedown but Goodweather shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Ephraim Goodweather has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of William Rigg.
Rigg goes for a takedown in the clinch but Goodweather prevents it.
Goodweather blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Goodweather misses with a knee to the head.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Rigg takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Goodweather misses with an elbow strike.
Rigg looking to slow down the pace here.
Goodweather connects with a knee to the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rigg.
Goodweather unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Goodweather tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Rigg.
Rigg lands a body punch.
Goodweather putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Rigg in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Goodweather is pressed up against the cage. Rigg has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Goodweather down to the mat. Goodweather avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Goodweather looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rigg shoots and misses

and Goodweather counters by moving into the clinch.
Goodweather tries to land a knee to the head but Rigg blocks with his arms.
Rigg managing to block the knees to the body from Goodweather.
Rigg is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Goodweather gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Rigg breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rigg tries for a takedown but Goodweather circles away easily

and Goodweather counters by moving into the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Goodweather.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Rigg takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Rigg is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Goodweather pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Goodweather lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Goodweather managing to block the knees to the body from Rigg.
Rigg throws a punch but it's blocked by Goodweather.
Rigg takes an elbow to the forehead.
Rigg scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Goodweather with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rigg throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Goodweathers head.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Rigg takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Goodweather working Rigg over with knees to the body.
Goodweather pushes off an throws an elbow but Rigg leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Rigg.
Goodweather missing with knees to the body.
Rigg controlling the action here for a moment.
Rigg lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rigg throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Goodweather misses with a knee strike.
Rigg is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Goodweather is defending well for now.
Rigg looking to slow down the pace here.
Rigg pushes Goodweather back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rigg trying to control the position but instead, Goodweather has worked for underhooks and has pushed Rigg into the cage.
Goodweather with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Goodweather is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rigg is defending well for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ephraim Goodweather dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Rigg closes the distance but Goodweather moves to the side

and Goodweather holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Goodweather scores with a knee to the head.
Rigg tries to score a body lock takedown but Goodweather shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Goodweather lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Goodweather using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Rigg digs a right hand into Goodweather's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Goodweather's gas tank.
Goodweather connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rigg's face.
Goodweather tries a knee to the head but Rigg blocks it.
Rigg tries to pull guard but Goodweather won't allow it.
Nice body punch from Rigg - that landed with a thud.
Goodweather tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Goodweather creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Rigg breaks the clinch.
Rigg shoots in for a takedown but Goodweather shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ephraim Goodweather has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of William Rigg.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Rigg rushes Goodweather and presses him up against the cage.
Goodweather blocking some punches.
Rigg trying to stall but Goodweather improves his position.
Goodweather lands a nice knee to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Rigg takes an elbow to the temple.
Goodweather lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Goodweather lands a knee to the body.
Rigg slows down the pace here.
Rigg misses with a punch on the inside.
Goodweather prevents a takedown attempt there.
Goodweather landing knees to the body.
Goodweather crunches a lovely knee into Rigg's ribcage.
Rigg working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Goodweather landing knees to the head.
Good body shot from Rigg.
Goodweather tries to land a knee to the head but Rigg blocks with his arms.
Rigg drops down looking for an ankle pick but Goodweather pulls his leg out and moves away.
Rigg shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Goodweather pinned against the cage. Goodweather gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Goodweather doesn't manage to clinch there - Rigg circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Goodweather slaps away a takedown attempt from Rigg, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Rigg tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Goodweather paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Goodweather fails with an attempt to clinch.
Goodweather is looking to clinch but Rigg is avoiding it.

Goodweather moves into range and clinches up with Rigg.
Rigg fails to pull guard.
Rigg lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A knee to the head by Goodweather.
Rigg jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Goodweather walks away with a smile on his face. Rigg gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Rigg tries to clinch up

and Goodweather counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Goodweather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goodweather throws a knee to the head but misses.
Rigg is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Goodweather putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Rigg in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Rigg lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Rigg working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rigg working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Goodweather lands an elbow that stopped Rigg in his tracks for a moment.
Rigg lands a body punch in the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Goodweather throws an elbow but misses.
Goodweather gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rigg.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Rigg has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Goodweather is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Goodweather with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Rigg managing to block the knees to the body from Goodweather.
Goodweather tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rigg scores with a shot to the side of Goodweather's head.
Come on Rigg - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Goodweather trying to land knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Goodweather throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Rigg blocks it with crossed arms.
Rigg presses Goodweather against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Rigg lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Nice elbow from Goodweather.
Nice body punch from Rigg - that landed with a thud.
Goodweather misses with a knee to the head.
Ephraim Goodweather is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rigg lands with a left to the head.
Rigg tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Goodweather just stands there and leans against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Rigg scores with a nice short uppercut.
Rigg working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Goodweather putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Rigg in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Goodweather tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rigg avoids it.
Rigg is trying to maintain a safe position but Goodweather gets an underhook and turns Rigg into the cage.
Goodweather comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Rigg looking for a takedown.
Goodweather utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rigg is trying to maintain a safe position but Goodweather gets an underhook and turns Rigg into the cage.
William Rigg has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Knees in the clinch landing for Rigg.
Goodweather unloads a knee to the mid-section. Rigg lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ephraim Goodweather showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Goodweather, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight 30:27
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ephraim Goodweather!