This is the live blog for Bryan Baker vs. Joe Riggs at Bellator 43. Bryan Baker is 14-2, and defeated Jeremy Horn in his last bout at Bellator 30. In September, Baker revealed that he was battling Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia. Joe Riggs is 34-13, with 1 no contest. He is a veteran of the UFC, Strikeforce, and the WEC. He lost his last bout to Jordan Mein in a regional Canadian promotion.

Round 1 - Our referee for this bout is Jason Herzog. Glove tap. Baker comes in wild with an inside leg kick. Wheelock mentions that Riggs is only 28 years old. Crazy. Tentative start. Baker comes in with another kick. He's dropping his arms down to his side when he throws those kicks. A minute in, and we've seen two strikes. Riggs hasn't thrown anything. And he misses with a one-two. Baker throws a knee that lands low. Herzog calls time. Short break before the restart. Riggs blocks a body kick. Both guys missing with strikes. Riggs lands with a right hook. Baker lands a flying knee. Riggs lands a left and then a lead hook. Each guy is keeping their distance. Head kick from Baker stumbles Riggs for a second. Inside leg kick. Weird round with thirty seconds to go. Knees from the clinch for Baker. Using his height well here. Flying knee, Riggs answers with a lead hook.

SB Nation scores the round 10-9 for Bryan Baker.

Round 2 - Baker comes forward with a high kick that Riggs catches. Riggs needs to figure out how to get inside on Baker. He seems tentative to wade through though, which is causing the slow pace. Riggs backed up into the fence. Baker lands a body shot. Riggs circles away to the center of the cage. Lead hook from Riggs. Inside leg kick from Baker. Left hand lands for Riggs. Baker can't catch up with Riggs footwork, and Riggs can't solve the distance problem. Knees to the midsection from the Thai clinch for Baker. Riggs motions to Herzog that the last knee was low, but Herzog doesn't step in. Baker drops down, but Riggs stuffs the takedown attempt. He's getting pounded with knees though. Baker swingsly wildly as they break, and Riggs lands a hook. Left hand from Baker sends Riggs to the mat, and Herzog jumps in. Baker's girlfriend is shrieking.

Bryan Baker knocks out Joe Riggs at 3:53 of round two.