PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Anton Strålman (ranked 999 p4p, 2735 weight class) and Anthon Van Der Dusse (ranked 128 p4p, 161 weight class). Strålman comes to the cage accompanied by Three Kings. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Anthon Van Der Dusse was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Strålman
vs
Van Der Dusse

172 cm
34
148
25 - 20 - 1

167 cm
28
147
9 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

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 25 - 20 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Anton Strålman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Anthon Van Der Dusse!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Gwen Towbar and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Strålman closes the distance and pushes Van Der Dusse back into the cage.

Strålman breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Strålman misses with a low kick as Van Der Dusse jumps back.
Strålman tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Van Der Dusse manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Strålman gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Van Der Dusse wants a takedown but no success here.
Van Der Dusse lands a left hand.
Van Der Dusse is looking for a takedown.

Strålman breaks the clinch.

Van Der Dusse shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Strålman napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Strålman throws Van Der Dusse to one side and escapes!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Van Der Dusse shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Strålman pinned against the cage. Strålman gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Anton Strålman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anthon Van Der Dusse.
Van Der Dusse will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Strålman closes the distance and pushes Van Der Dusse back into the cage.

Van Der Dusse breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strålman connects with a leg kick.
Van Der Dusse fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A little feinted left hand from Strålman on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Strålman tries to bum rush Van Der Dusse with a series of wild strikes but Van Der Dusse uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
We've been told by Strålman's head coaches at whitey's gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Anthon Van Der Dusse seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Strålman ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Good leg kick by Strålman.
Van Der Dusse throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Strålman's waist but Strålman gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Van Der Dusse off to one side.
A counter left hand to the body from Strålman misses its target.
Nice sprawl there from Strålman as Van Der Dusse shoots in.

Strålman clinches up against the cage.

Strålman's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Van Der Dusse shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Strålman sprawls well. Strålman wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Van Der Dusse gets slowly back to his feet.
Strålman tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Van Der Dusse was well out of range. Poor timing from Strålman.
Van Der Dusse lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Strålman tries to score with a low kick but Van Der Dusse moves his leg out of the way.

Strålman rushes Van Der Dusse and presses him up against the cage.
A body shot lands from Strålman.
Van Der Dusse is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Strålman is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Dusse can't get the takedown.
Van Der Dusse changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Strålman fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Strålman slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Van Der Dusse on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Strålman connects with a leg kick.

Strålman has Van Der Dusse up against the cage in a clinch.
Strålman is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Strålman goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Strålman's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Strålman throws a push kick but Van Der Dusse slaps the foot to one side.
Van Der Dusse closes the distance and clinches up with Strålman, looking for a takedown. Van Der Dusse pushes Strålman against the cage but Strålman circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Strålman throws a nice head kick!
Van Der Dusse misses with a series of wild punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strålman fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Van Der Dusse.
Van Der Dusse tries for a takedown but Strålman circles away easily
and Strålman cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Van Der Dusse shoots in for a double leg but Strålman sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Van Der Dusse tries to move into range but Strålman moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Van Der Dusse fails to land the takedown.
Van Der Dusse looks winded!

Strålman closes the distance and clinches.
Van Der Dusse wants a takedown but no success here.
Van Der Dusse drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Van Der Dusse goes for a takedown attempt but Strålman pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Van Der Dusse.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Dusse stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Strålman.
Van Der Dusse will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Van Der Dusse gets underhooks to prevent Strålman's takedown attempt.
Strålman has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Van Der Dusse after a bit of a struggle.
Strålman lands a shoulder strike.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Van Der Dusse has Strålman pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Strålman manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A shot in the inside from Strålman.

Strålman breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Strålman fails in his attempt to clinch.
Strålman throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Strålman defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Van Der Dusse.
Van Der Dusse swats away the attempt to clinch by Strålman.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Strålman dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Strålman clinches up against the cage.
Strålman lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Strålman prevents the takedown attempt.

Strålman has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Van Der Dusse regains guard immediately.
Strålman is standing up over Van Der Dusse. Van Der Dusse looks to escape but Strålman dives into side control.

Strålman decides to stand back up.
Strålman is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Van Der Dusse can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A solid leg kick lands there for Strålman.

Van Der Dusse clinches up with Strålman and pushes him back against the cage.

Strålman breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Strålman smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Strålman forces Van Der Dusse back against the cage and clinches.

Van Der Dusse breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Van Der Dusse decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Strålman looks like he's trying to stand up.
Van Der Dusse not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Strålman controlling the position well.
Van Der Dusse thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Van Der Dusse throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Strålman wants to get back to his feet.
Van Der Dusse thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Strålman looks like he's trying to stand up.
Van Der Dusse looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strålman wants to get back to his feet.
Strålman is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Van Der Dusse has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Van Der Dusse wants to lay and pray for a moment but Strålman keeps working.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Van Der Dusse dives in and grabs Strålman's left leg, looking for a takedown. Strålman pushes down on Van Der Dusse's head and hops out.
Nice sprawl there from Strålman as Van Der Dusse shoots in.
Anton Strålman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anthon Van Der Dusse.
Strålman lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Anton Strålman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Strålman scores with a three punch combo!
No luck for Van Der Dusse with that takedown attempt.
Van Der Dusse is breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Strålman misses with a wild combination.
Van Der Dusse changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Strålman doesn't manage to clinch there - Van Der Dusse circles away.
Van Der Dusse is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Van Der Dusse shoots in and drives through. Strålman sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strålman slaps away a takedown attempt from Van Der Dusse, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Van Der Dusse showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Strålman.
Anton Strålman is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Strålman scores with a hook to the body. Van Der Dusse takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Van Der Dusse tries to keep at a distance but Strålman has taken the fight into the clinch.
Strålman is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Strålman successfully pulls guard.
Van Der Dusse in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Strålman has his hands on Van Der Dusse's head, controlling the position.
Strålman avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strålman controlling Van Der Dusse's posture.
Strålman preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Strålman has his feet on Van Der Dusse's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Van Der Dusse changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Strålman tries to avoid it but Van Der Dusse manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Strålman to the ground. Strålman escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Strålman changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Van Der Dusse.
Van Der Dusse shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Strålman as he jumps to the side.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A nice leg kick from Strålman, right into the meat of the thigh.

Strålman rushes Van Der Dusse and presses him up against the cage.
Strålman gets through Van Der Dusse's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Strålman controlling the action here for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Strålman dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Strålman misses with a head kick.
Strålman works Van Der Dusse's body with a nice hook.
Strålman will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nice body punch from Strålman.
Van Der Dusse fails to land with a series of punches.

Strålman fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Van Der Dusse, pushing him back against the cage.
Van Der Dusse tries for a takedown. No joy.
Strålman lands with a left to the head.
Van Der Dusse misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Van Der Dusse wants to take the fight to the mat but Strålman manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Strålman lands a hook that snaps the head of Van Der Dusse backwards.
Van Der Dusse takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Van Der Dusse has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Strålman avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Anton Strålman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anthon Van Der Dusse.

Strålman's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Der Dusse chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Strålman can pounce on him.
Van Der Dusse shoots in and drives through. Strålman sprawls well.
Van Der Dusse fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Strålman has Van Der Dusse up against the cage in a clinch.
Strålman has Van Der Dusse pressed against the cage.
Van Der Dusse's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Strålman lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Van Der Dusse.
A right hook to the body lands for Strålman.
Anton Strålman has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Strålman prevents the takedown attempt.
Van Der Dusse is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Strålman pulls him back up using the underhooks.
A short right from Strålman on the inside.
Strålman taking a breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strålman lands a shot to the body.
Strålman working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Van Der Dusse is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Van Der Dusse is working for takedown but Strålman is calmly controlling the position for now.

Strålman manages to pull guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Strålman is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Strålman manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

Strålman manages to break the clinch.
Some wild striking there from Van Der Dusse.
Van Der Dusse shoots in for a double leg but Strålman sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Strålman connects with a nice looking jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strålman fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Van Der Dusse closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Strålman to the mat! Strålman manages to get full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Strålman is on top in guard.

Strålman is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Strålman tries to free his leg and advance position but Van Der Dusse is retaining full guard.
Strålman is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Strålman stops Van Der Dusse from standing up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Strålman gets to his feet. Van Der Dusse looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Anthon Van Der Dusse has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Anton Strålman is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Strålman looks to land a combination. Van Der Dusse sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Van Der Dusse tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Strålman defends well and Van Der Dusse ends up having to push Strålman into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Strålman closes the distance and clinches.
Van Der Dusse looking for a takedown.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Van Der Dusse misses with a hook to the ribs.

Strålman manages to break the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Strålman looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A chopping leg kick lands by Strålman.
Strålman tests Van Der Dusse's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Van Der Dusse's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Strålman fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anton Strålman showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Strålman 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anton Strålman!
After the fight, Anton Strålman was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.