PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tim Pierno (ranked 14431 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cliff Rigano (ranked 2336 p4p, 0 weight class). Pierno comes to the cage accompanied by Sick Puppies - You're Going Down . Pierno is coming into this fight with a significant injury, which will no doubt have an effect on his cardio. Tim Pierno had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Pierno
vs
Rigano

180 cm
41
175 lbs
38 - 34 - 2

188 cm
41
184 lbs
31 - 27 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 38 - 34 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Tim Pierno!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 27 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Cliff Rigano!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rigano changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Pierno looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Pierno is breathing heavily.

Rigano is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Pierno knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Rigano tries to score with some ground and pound. Pierno controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rigano tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Pierno is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Pierno is not content to let Rigano control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rigano is trying to get an arm triangle but Pierno is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pierno is pushing Rigano's head away, looking to escape. Rigano manages to hold on to the position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rigano looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Rigano working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Rigano controlling from side mount.
Rigano scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Pierno to see if he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Rigano cracks Pierno with a big right hand but Pierno just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

Rigano tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Rigano taking a breather here.
Rigano prevents Pierno from escaping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rigano cracks Pierno with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Rigano scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Pierno to see if he's OK.
Rigano throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Rigano trying to control the action but Pierno is working from the bottom.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Rigano is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Pierno knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Pierno takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Pierno takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rigano tries to move into full mount but can't pass Pierno's legs.
Rigano trying to control the action but Pierno is working from the bottom.

Rigano is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Pierno knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Rigano tries to advance to mount but Pierno denies him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cliff Rigano dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A head kick lands from Rigano that sends Pierno to the canvas. Pierno tries to scramble back to his feet but Rigano brings him back down into side control.

Pierno is rocked!

It looks like Tim Pierno has been cut.
Rigano lands a big elbow and you can see that really hurt Pierno! Rigano senses the opportunity and scores with more strikes - he's put Pierno out! The ref tackles him out of the way to prevent him landing more strikes - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:28 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Cliff Rigano!
Cliff Rigano decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.