PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Leinart AZ (ranked 4566 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Svensoon (ranked 4451 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

AZ
vs
Svensoon

160 cm
23
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
18
183 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Leinart AZ!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Max Svensoon!
The judges for this bout are Ben Watson, Hugh Johnson and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
AZ changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Svensoon tries to avoid it but AZ manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Svensoon to the ground. Svensoon escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
AZ shoots in for a takedown but Svensoon shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
AZ really is a fat lump.
Svensoon defends well against a solid takedown attempt from AZ.
AZ moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromSvensoon.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Leinart AZ. That's going to take a lot out of him.

AZ shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Svensoon is trying to defend but AZ finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Svensoon manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. AZ keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

Svensoon's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Svensoon shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Svensoon is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

AZ gets tackled into the cage by Svensoon. Svensoon maintains the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
AZ is trying to push Svensoon away but Svensoon has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Svensoon wants a takedown.

Svensoon breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
AZ fails with the takedown

and Svensoon counters by clinching up.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Svensoon creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
AZ fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Svensoon misses with a body punch.
AZ fails to pull guard.

Svensoon manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
AZ postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Svensoon has his foot on AZ's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. AZ works his way back into a safe position though.
AZ knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Svensoon on the ground.
Svensoon keeping moving, preventing AZ from controlling successfully.
Svensoon is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
AZ trying to control but Svensoon is working from the bottom.
AZ tries to stand but Svensoon is controlling from the bottom.
Svensoon keeping moving, preventing AZ from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
AZ shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Svensoon as he avoids it easily.
AZ is breathing heavily.
Svensoon displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from AZ.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Svensoon misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
AZ tries to counter by clinching up but Svensoon breaks away and moves out of range.
Svensoon fakes a jab and throws a low kick but AZ checks it well.
AZ closes this distance looking for a takedown but Svensoon circles away.
No joy there for AZ, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Svensoon scoring well with a low kick there.

Svensoon has AZ up against the cage in a clinch.

Svensoon has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics AZ uses from the top position.
Svensoon looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Svensoon is on top in guard.

Svensoon is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Svensoon works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Svensoon is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Svensoon dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

AZ looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Svensoon darts in looking for a takedown but AZ gets double underhooks and turns Svensoon into the cage.
Svensoon fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and AZ has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

Svensoon rushes AZ and presses him up against the cage.
Svensoon is working AZ over against the cage.

Svensoon jumps into guard, dragging AZ to the mat.
Svensoon is trying to control the position but AZ postures up.

AZ drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Svensoon dives on top into guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
AZ is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Svensoon wants to control from the top but AZ keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Svensoon slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Svensoon tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
You can see the frustration on AZ's face as Svensoon controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
AZ tries to improve position but can't.
AZ on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if AZ tries to get out of the position.

Svensoon tries for a kimura but AZ is defending well.
Svensoon is breathing heavily.
AZ tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Svensoon decides to stand back up.
AZ dives in for a single leg takedown but Svensoon sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Nice takedown defense from AZ. No joy for Svensoon on that attempt.
AZ wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
AZ tries to clinch but Svensoon is having none of it.
AZ is trying hard to land a takedown here. Svensoon sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Svensoon swats away the attempt to clinch by AZ.
Svensoon fails to land with a series of punches.
AZ tries to counter by clinching up but Svensoon breaks away and moves out of range.
Svensoon ducks under a wild hook from AZ.
Svensoon with the counter takedown but AZ avoids it easily.

Svensoon moves into range and clinches up with AZ.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
AZ is trying to pull guard but Svensoon turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Leinart AZ. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Svensoon prevents AZ from breaking the clinch.
Svensoon is looking for a takedown.
Svensoon lands a nice elbow.

Svensoon manages to pull guard.

AZ has gone for a leg lock! Svensoon slips out almost immediately though and dives into AZ's guard.

Svensoon stands up and waves to AZ to follow him.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
AZ swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Svensoon 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!

Svensoon fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but AZ is out of range.
AZ tries to clinch up but Svensoon circles away and keeps his distance.
Leinart AZ seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
AZ moves out of range as Svensoon throws a body kick.
AZ throws a quick counter kick to the body but Svensoon avoids it.
Max Svensoon seems to be getting the better of the standup.
AZ tries to clinch but Svensoon moves away
and Svensoon counters with a two punch combo.

Svensoon fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with AZ, pushing him back against the cage.
Svensoon is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
AZ tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Svensoon smiles and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
AZ tries to close the distance and clinch up but Svensoon swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Svensoon raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
AZ is looking to clinch.
AZ finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
AZ displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Svensoon.
Svensoon on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Svensoon throws a series of punches but AZ avoids them all with ease.
Svensoon avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Svensoon with the counter takedown but AZ avoids it easily.
Svensoon keeps AZ at a distance using the push kick.
AZ fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Svensoon looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Leinart AZ is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
AZ stuffs the takedown attempt from Svensoon. Svensoon gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Svensoon fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but AZ avoids it really well and circles away.
Leinart AZ has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Svensoon.

Svensoon clinches up with AZ and pushes him back against the cage.
AZ wants to break free but Svensoon has control.
Svensoon has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. AZ avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Svensoon lands with a short shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Svensoon jumps guard.
AZ might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Svensoon is looking for a triangle but AZ pushes his legs off easily.
AZ not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Svensoon wants to sweep but no luck.
Svensoon pulls AZ in to control the position.
AZ trying to control the position from guard on top but Svensoon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
AZ slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four 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.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Svensoon manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
AZ drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Svensoon has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. AZ avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Svensoon's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Leinart AZ has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Max Svensoon is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Svensoon checks a leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Max Svensoon comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Svensoon 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 Ben Watson scores the fight for Max Svensoon!
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight for Max Svensoon!
Judge John Mangel scores the fight for Max Svensoon!

Max Svensoon wins by unanimous decision!