PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Albert Ricci (ranked 1080 p4p, 1280 weight class) and Anton Strålman (ranked 132 p4p, 156 weight class). Strålman has chosen Three Kings as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Ricci
vs
Strålman

172 cm
38
140
19 - 12 - 0

172 cm
32
148
23 - 15 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

Altitude Clothing
Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Albert Ricci!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Anton Strålman!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, George Francis and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A lazy left from Ricci finds it's target.
Ricci dodges the punch combination from Strålman.
Ricci throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Strålman clinches up with Ricci and pushes him back against the cage.
Ricci swings wildly with an uppercut but Strålman uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Strålman.
Ricci has a couple of punches blocked by Strålman.
Strålman goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ricci tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ricci throws a head punch that misses.

Strålman breaks from the clinch.
Ricci misses with a body shot
and Strålman counters with a one-two to the body.
Ricci misses the shot to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ricci pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strålman tries to clinch but Ricci moves out of range.
Strålman scores with a sloppy right hand. Ricci should have avoided that one.
Ricci has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Scrap Squad in the buildup to the fight.
Strålman fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Ricci is out of range.
Ricci throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Strålman gets a clinch.
A short left from Ricci.
Ricci tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Strålman's elbow.
Ricci throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Ricci swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Strålman working aggressively here.
Strålman putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Ricci in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Strålman is trying to force a seperation but Ricci has the dominant position.
Ricci prevents a body shot from Strålman.
Strålman swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Strålman stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Strålman wants to break free but Ricci has control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ricci misses with a punch to the body.
Strålman takes a shot to the head.
Ricci misses with a body punch.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
A head punch on the inside from Ricci fails to land.
Ricci lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Strålman wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Strålman tries to throw a body punch but Ricci avoids it by throwing Strålman back against the cage.
Strålman blocking some punches.
Strålman is trying to force a seperation but Ricci has the dominant position.
Ricci keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Strålman's efforts to push away.
Strålman is struggling to control the position.
Strålman lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ricci backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Strålman breaks the clinch.
Ricci throws a big shot that misses.
Ricci lands an overhand right.
Strålman doesn't manage to clinch there - Ricci circles away.
Strålman fails in his attempt to clinch.
Strålman is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ricci takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ricci half committed to a counter leg kick.
Ricci throws a head kick but Strålman moves out of range.
Strålman throws a fast counter high kick but Ricci manages to duck under it in time.
Strålman lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Strålman misses with a head kick.
Ricci throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Strålman sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Strålman avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Strålman has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Strålman there as he acknowledges the shot.
Ricci throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strålman throws a low kick but Ricci moves out of range easily.
Ricci circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ricci misses with a straight left.
Strålman is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ricci swings widly with a right hand
and Strålman counters with a nice uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Strålman fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ricci has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ricci swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Strålman looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Strålman throws a right and a left that Ricci avoids nicely.
Strålman takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Strålman takes one on the button.
Ricci throws a big shot that misses.
Ricci throws a head kick but Strålman moves out of range.
Strålman unleashes a big counter combination but Ricci bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Ricci looks to score with a jab to the body but Strålman is just out of range.
Strålman misses with a two punch combination.
Strålman tries to clinch there but Ricci circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Albert Ricci dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Strålman with a nice calf kick.
Strålman swings for the body but Ricci moves out of range.
Strålman listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Ricci loads up on a big right hand but Strålman slips the punch.
Strålman takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Strålman ducks under a wild hook from Ricci.
Strålman wants to clinch
and Strålman takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Strålman lands a nice shot to the body.
Strålman throws a front kick that sends Ricci stumbling back into the cage.
Strålman lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ricci throws a right and a left that Strålman avoids nicely.
Ricci buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Strålman lands with a thumping leg kick.
A jab from Ricci finds it's way through Strålman's defenses.
Ricci tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strålman tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ricci was well out of range. Poor timing from Strålman.
Albert Ricci is winning the standup battle so far.
Strålman gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

Strålman pushes Ricci up against the cage in a clinch.
Strålman pressing his opponent against the cage.
Ricci swings wildly with an uppercut but Strålman uses good head movement to avoid it.
Strålman gets through Ricci's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Strålman lands a body punch.
A head punch on the inside from Ricci fails to land.
Ricci's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ricci has a couple of punches blocked by Strålman.
Strålman is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ricci is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ricci.
Strålman blocks an uppercut.
Ricci fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Strålman pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Strålman tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Strålman takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Strålman has taken the fight to the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ricci misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ricci misses with the head strike.
Strålman lands with a short shot to the head.

Strålman breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Anton Strålman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Strålman slips under a jab from Ricci.
Ricci throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Strålman sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strålman slips under a jab from Ricci.
Ricci slips a jab and a cross from Strålman.
Strålman slips under a jab from Ricci.
Strålman throws a sloppy head kick and Ricci moves out of range easily.
Strålman throws out a leg kick but Ricci moves out of range and Strålman only half commits.
Ricci misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
No joy there for Strålman, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Strålman tries to close the distance and clinch but Ricci swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A nice leg kick lands there from Strålman.
Strålman is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ricci circles away from the clinch attempt.
Strålman ducks under a wild hook from Ricci.
Ricci misses with a hook
and Strålman counters with a two punch combo.
Ricci throws a sloppy head kick and Strålman moves out of range easily.
Ricci tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strålman moves in looking to clinch but Ricci pushes him off.
Strålman blocks a head kick by Ricci.
Ricci getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ricci misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nice defenses there by Strålman.
Ricci circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ricci throws a poor cross that misses
and Strålman counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Strålman scores with a one two! Ricci had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
The fighters circling - Ricci throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Strålman thuds his right hand into Ricci's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Strålman is looking to clinch.
Ricci scores with a jab. Strålman acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Strålman swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ricci slips a jab from Strålman.
Strålman moves in looking to clinch but Ricci pushes him off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Anton Strålman will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Ricci keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ricci throws a nice looking combination but Strålman bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Strålman tries to clinch up.
Ricci avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Ricci misses the target.
Strålman takes a swing at Ricci's ribcage but misses.
Ricci throwing a counter right hand but Strålman manages to avoid it.
Strålman fails in his attempt to clinch.
Strålman wants to clinch.
Ricci throws a looping overhand right but Strålman ducks down to avoid it.
Strålman misses with a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ricci moves out of range of the strikes.
A slow jab from Ricci misses its intended target.
Strålman misses with a two punch combination.
Ricci keeps the fight on the outside.
Ricci lands a leg kick that knocks Strålman off balance momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ricci misses the shot to the body.
Ricci cracks a nice hook into Strålman's ribs.
Ricci misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Strålman is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

Strålman fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ricci, pushing him back against the cage.
Ricci misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ricci throws a head punch that misses.
Strålman is trying to break free.
Strålman has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Ricci seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Strålman can turn it around.
Strålman working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A body shot lands from Ricci.

Strålman breaks the clinch.
Ricci takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Ricci thows a left - swing and a miss!
Strålman lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Strålman closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ricci tries to work over Strålman's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Anton Strålman seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ricci.
Ricci lands with a light punch inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ricci misses with a punch on the inside.
Strålman tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Strålman manages to break the clinch.
Ricci throws a lazy right hand but Strålman sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Strålman rushes Ricci and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Ricci fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ricci.
Ricci lands with a short shot to the head.
Strålman tries to score a body lock takedown but Ricci shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Ricci lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Strålman blocks a body shot from Ricci.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ricci misses with a body punch.
Strålman softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ricci takes an elbow to the forehead.
Ricci lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Ricci misses with a punch on the inside.
Ricci working aggressively here.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ricci.
Strålman lands with a short shot to the head.
Ricci doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ricci throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ricci doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Strålman gets through Ricci's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Ricci pushes Strålman back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strålman lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ricci lands an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ricci struggles to land a body shot inside as Strålman controls his hands.
Strålman wants to break the clinch but can't.
A right handed body shot lands from Ricci.
Strålman swings wildly with an uppercut but Ricci uses good head movement to avoid it.

Strålman breaks the clinch.
Strålman moves out of range as Ricci strikes.
Ricci misses with a looping right.
Ricci throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ricci checks the leg kick nicely there.
Strålman will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Ricci throws a poor cross that misses
and Strålman counters with a lovely straight right hand!

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Albert Ricci.
Well Ricci has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Albert Ricci!
Albert Ricci bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.