RIE Battle of the Burg in Virginia- the Baker Brothers & top FLW prospect Jessie Riggleman round out card

Penn Laird, VA-Respect is Earned promotions heads South for their next event in Penn Laird, Virginia. The main event will feature a welterweight clash between former UFC/IFL combatant Gideon Ray versus Harrisonburg local Kyle Baker.

A highly anticipated bantamweight match-up featuring Jessie Riggleman (8-0) and Bryan Goldsby (12-5) will serve as the undercard's main attraction.

In a MMA world not yet ready to fully promote 125 pound fighters, Riggleman a four star flyweight prospect, will move up in weight to take on Goldsby. Fighting out of Old Dominion, Riggleman lasted competed in October of 2009 at Ultimate Warrior Challenge 7.

Competing at flyweight Riggleman earned a split decision victory over Kentucky's Josh Ferguson. Riggleman will look to carry his momentum over into the New Year after going an impressive 5-0 in 2009.

Blessed with a strong wrestling base through both a high school and collegiate career, Riggleman has the ability to wear down opponents with his takedowns but has also showed a propensity to submit his opposition once the fight hits the mat.

If, Riggleman is able to secure more fights in his natural weight division, he turns into one of the more intriguing prospects at flyweight going into 2010. The 24 year old would have to be considered a sure fire WEC signee once the Zuffa owned promotion decides to add a new weight class.

Fighting out of Macon, Georgia Goldsby is one of the bigger 135 fighters on the local MMA scene. Sporting a four fight winning streak, Goldsby at 5'9 will a hold a significant height advantage over the 5'4 Riggleman.

With losses to the likes of current WEC fighters Will Campuzano and Antonio Banuelos as well as King of the Cage 155 pound champ Tony Hervey, Goldsby will need to pick up key W's in 2010 in order to capture the attention of national organization talent scouts. A dominating performance over a Riggleman would a go a long way into turning Goldsby's dream into a reality.

Battle of Burg: Redemption
Penn Laird, VA

Gideon Ray vs. Kyle Baker
Ran Weathers vs. Beau Baker
Bryan Goldsby vs. Jessie Riggleman (No. 4 FLW)
Chris Conner vs. Brad Wright
Brandon Adamson vs. Evan DeLong
Diego Ceara vs. Gert Kocani
Freddy Assunceo vs. Kevin Roddy
Ashley Nee vs. Katie Knight
Donald Wilken vs. James Funaro