PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Marco Bjurstrom (ranked 3148 p4p, 3387 weight class) and Scooter Ham (ranked 379 p4p, 405 weight class). Scooter Ham will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Bjurstrom
vs
Ham

160 cm
19
188
2 - 0 - 0

186 cm
19
191
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Lethal high kicks
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

PWNAGE™
Conviction

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Marco Bjurstrom!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Scooter Ham!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Dillan Fox and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bjurstrom blocks a head kick by Ham.
Bjurstrom definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Bjurstrom staying out of range there.
Bjurstrom is looking to land body kicks.
Ham is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Bjurstrom with a body shot.
Bjurstrom with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Bjurstrom lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ham's sensitive parts.
Bjurstrom throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Bjurstrom cracks Ham with an open hand slap.
Bjurstrom scores with a crisp jab that stopped Ham in his tracks.
Ham gets cracked there but stands up to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bjurstrom moves away from the strike by Ham.
A quick step to the side and Bjurstrom tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Marco Bjurstrom seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bjurstrom connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Ham checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Bjurstrom lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bjurstrom ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Ham throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Ham stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Bjurstrom.
Bjurstrom scores with a punch to the head.
Bjurstrom throws a quick inside leg kick.
Bjurstrom thumps Ham with a low kick.
Ham on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Bjurstrom. Bjurstrom obviously looking to wear him down.
Bjurstrom tries to score with a low kick but Ham moves his leg out of the way.
The fighters circling - Bjurstrom throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bjurstrom throws a head kick but Ham moves out of range.
A countering left hand to the body from Ham misses.
Bjurstrom swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ham uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bjurstrom.
Ham works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
A head kick misses from Ham.
Bjurstrom swings and misses with a hook to the body.
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!
Bjurstrom throws a lazy head kick
and Ham counters with a big head kick but Bjurstrom shrugs it off.
Bjurstrom throws a hook to the side of Ham's head but Ham sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bjurstrom swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bjurstrom doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Ham throws a head kick but Bjurstrom moves out of range.
Bjurstrom tries to land a body kick
and Ham counters with a nice body kick.
Bjurstrom checks a low kick from Ham.
Ham lands with a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ham tests Bjurstrom's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Ham lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Bjurstrom has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Bjurstrom and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ham.
Ham slips a straight right by Bjurstrom.
Ham scores with a hook to the body. Bjurstrom takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ham connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Bjurstrom lands with a nice body kick.
Ham throws a leg kick but Bjurstrom sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Bjurstrom is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Ham throws a low kick but it's checked well by Bjurstrom.
Ham is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Good work by Bjurstrom as he checks the leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bjurstrom getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Bjurstrom throws a body punch but Ham moves out of range.
Ham has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Ham swings for the body but Bjurstrom moves out of range.
Bjurstrom missing with a left hand there. Ham was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ham does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Bjurstrom jabs Ham right on the nose. Ham blinks but takes it well.
Bjurstrom thows a leg kick but Ham checks it
and Ham counters with a nice body kick.
Bjurstrom misses with a hook
and Ham counters with a solid body kick.
Ham throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ham avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bjurstrom pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Marco Bjurstrom will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A head kick misses from Ham.
Bjurstrom thumps Ham with a low kick.
Bjurstrom does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Bjurstrom with a nice calf kick.
Ham scores with a nice body kick.
Ham keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bjurstrom.
Bjurstrom lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ham's sensitive parts.
Bjurstrom smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bjurstrom throws a low kick but Ham moves out of range easily.
Ham throws a half hearted mid kick.
Ham displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bjurstrom throws out the jab.
A little jabbing left from Ham on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Bjurstrom punishes Ham's body with a nice straight punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A left lands for Bjurstrom.
Bjurstrom shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Bjurstrom checks a low kick from Ham.
Bjurstrom half committed to a counter leg kick.
A low kick from Ham misses
letting Bjurstrom counter with a right hand.
Bjurstrom lands with a kick to the ribs.
Bjurstrom moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Ham misses with a body kick.
Bjurstrom is looking to land body kicks.
Bjurstrom misses the shot to the body.
Ham thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Bjurstrom if he has to take too many more of those.
Bjurstrom keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bjurstrom blocks a low kick nicely.
Bjurstrom thumps Ham with a low kick.
Bjurstrom misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Ham to counter with a crisp jab.
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!
Bjurstrom swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Jab by Bjurstrom.
Bjurstrom tests Ham's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ham takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Ham throws a sloppy body shot
and Bjurstrom counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Marco Bjurstrom is winning the standup battle so far.
Ham steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bjurstrom.
Bjurstrom shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bjurstrom pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Bjurstrom fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ham manages to avoid it.
Ham let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Bjurstrom is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ham can do to turn this around?
Bjurstrom throws a hook but Ham blocks it.
And Ham responds with a good body kick, but Bjurstrom manages to step out the way in time.
A slapping leg kick lands for Bjurstrom.
Bjurstrom throws out a leg kick but Ham moves out of range and Bjurstrom only half commits.
Bjurstrom throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Bjurstrom sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Ham throws a body punch but Bjurstrom moves out of range.
Bjurstrom on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ham. Ham obviously looking to wear him down.
Ham scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bjurstrom 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.
Bjurstrom chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Ham shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Bjurstrom throws a hook but Ham avoids it easily.
Bjurstrom listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Bjurstrom throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bjurstrom throws a leg kick that is checked
and Ham counters with a nice leg kick.
Bjurstrom checks a leg kick nicely.
Ham has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Bjurstrom.
Bjurstrom avoids the head kick by Ham.
Bjurstrom is looking to counter punch.
Bjurstrom moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Bjurstrom scoring well with a low kick there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Marco Bjurstrom dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Ham wants to slow Bjurstrom down by chopping away at his legs.
Bjurstrom was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ham lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ham moves away from the strike by Bjurstrom.
Ham displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bjurstrom throws out the jab.
Ham takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Ham scores with a leg kick.
Ham keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Bjurstrom misses the jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice defenses there by Ham.
Bjurstrom throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ham sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bjurstrom lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ham's sensitive parts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Ham checks a leg kick.
Ham has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
A low kick from Ham is predictable there
and Bjurstrom counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Bjurstrom on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ham.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Bjurstrom lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Ham has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Ham and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Ham throws a leg kick
and Bjurstrom counters with a straight right hand.
The fighters circle momentarily. Bjurstrom darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Ham takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Bjurstrom checks a leg kick.
Bjurstrom misses with a low kick as Ham jumps back.
Ham replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Bjurstrom blocks it well.
Ham tries to land a front kick but Bjurstrom steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bjurstrom lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A slow jab from Bjurstrom misses its intended target.
Bjurstrom cracks Ham with a right hand to the side of the head.
Ham takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bjurstrom keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ham's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Ham throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Bjurstrom is looking to slow Ham down with leg kicks.
Scooter Ham has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bjurstrom checks a low kick from Ham.
A nice inside leg kick there by Bjurstrom. That's going to slow Ham down.
Bjurstrom moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Bjurstrom misses with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ham on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Bjurstrom takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Ham throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Bjurstrom's head.
A jab from Bjurstrom misses.
Bjurstrom throws an overhand right that lands on Ham's shoulder, as Ham tries to avoid the shot.
Ham keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bjurstrom.
Ham uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bjurstrom.
Ham tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Bjurstrom is able to avoid easily.
Ham uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bjurstrom.
Bjurstrom pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bjurstrom misses with an uppercut. Ham saw that one coming.
Bjurstrom looks to score with a jab to the body but Ham is just out of range.
Ham walks forward, straight into a front kick from Bjurstrom.
Bjurstrom lands a lovely overhand right.
Crunch! Bjurstrom slams his shin into Ham's torso.
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!
Ham throws a leg kick that is checked
and Bjurstrom counters with a leg kick.
Ham throws a half hearted mid kick.
A low kick from Bjurstrom is predictable there
and Ham counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Ham throws a head kick that misses.
Ham tests Bjurstrom's chin there with a solid looking shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marco Bjurstrom showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Bjurstrom 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marco Bjurstrom!
Marco Bjurstrom decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.