PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Erik Morales (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fjord Fjordson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Erik Morales has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Morales
vs
Fjordson

173 cm
18
170 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

192 cm
21
168 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Erik Morales!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Fjord Fjordson!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Paulo Santos and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fjordson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Morales paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Morales bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Fjordson's head.
Morales takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Morales tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fjordson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Fjordson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Morales.
Fjordson tries to clinch there but Morales circles away.

Morales has closed the distance and engaged Fjordson in a clinch.
Fjordson tries to pull guard but Morales won't allow it.

Fjordson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fjordson moves out of range of the body kick.
Jab by Morales.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Fjordson checks a leg kick.
Fjordson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Morales keeps the fight on the outside.

Morales has Fjordson up against the cage in a clinch.

Fjordson breaks from the clinch.

Fjordson tries to keep at a distance but Morales has taken the fight into the clinch.
Fjordson is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Morales tries to pull guard but Fjordson won't allow it.
Fjordson tries to score a body lock takedown but Morales shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Fjordson misses with a knee to the head.
Morales tries for a takedown but Fjordson manages to get underhooks.
Fjordson gets underhooks to prevent Morales's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erik Morales. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Morales jumps guard and drags Fjordson to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Morales has his foot on Fjordson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Fjordson works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fjordson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Morales swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Morales is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Fjordson is aware though and is defending well.

Morales looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Morales is breathing heavily.
Fjordson trying to control the position from guard on top but Morales is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fjordson wanted to stand there but Morales had control of the position.
Fjordson trying to control the position from guard on top but Morales is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fjordson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Morales swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Fjordson decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Fjordson wants to clinch up but Morales keeps it at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Morales connects with a body shot.
A jab lands there for Morales.

Morales darts in and clinches Fjordson up against the cage.

Fjordson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Morales gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Morales tries to pull guard but Fjordson holds him up against the cage and eventually Morales drops back down to his feet.
Morales looking for a takedown.
Fjordson tries to pull guard but Morales holds him up against the cage and eventually Fjordson drops back down to his feet.
Fjordson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Morales is defending well for now.

Morales has hold of one of Fjordson's legs. Fjordson is fighting the takedown attempt but Morales gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Fjordson wants to sweep but no luck.
Fjordson controls Morales momentarily but Morales frees himself.

Fjordson pushes Morales off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Fjordson lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Erik Morales seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fjordson throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Morales's head.
Morales tries to clinch up but Fjordson circles away and keeps his distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fjordson throws a nice head kick!
Morales tries to clinch up but Fjordson circles away and keeps his distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Morales fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Morales tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Fjordson just stands there and leans against the cage.

Fjordson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Morales looks to clinch
and Fjordson counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Morales avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Fjordson lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Fjordson lands a body shot.
Fjordson digs a good body shot into Morales's ribs.
Fjordson throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Fjordson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Fjordson tries to pull guard but Morales won't allow it.
Fjordson misses with a knee to the head.

Fjordson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Fjordson throws a good cross that connects.
No luck for Fjordson with that takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Morales clinches up with Fjordson and pushes him back against the cage.

Morales pulls guard effortlessly.
Fjordson stopping the sweep attempt from Morales.

Morales has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Fjordson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Morales has a closed guard, preventing Fjordson from standing up.

Morales is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Fjordson defends well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fjordson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Fjord Fjordson will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Morales avoids the body shot from Fjordson.
Fjordson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Morales.
Morales scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Fjordson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Morales swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Fjordson throws a right and a left that Morales avoids nicely.
Fjordson wants to clinch.
Fjordson throws the kick towards the body but Morales avoids it.
Fjordson shoots in and drives through. Morales sprawls well.
Morales doesn't manage to clinch there - Fjordson circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Morales closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Fjordson is breathing heavily.

Morales turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Morales working the ground and pound.
Morales lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Morales throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Morales postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fjordson is looking for a sweep.
Morales lands a few punches from side control.
Morales advances to full mount.
Morales landing strikes from the mount.
Morales throws some wild stikes that Fjordson manages to avoid easily.
Fjordson is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Fjordson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Morales postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Fjordson looks a forlorn figure.
Morales lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
The referee warns Fjordson that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Morales throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Fjordson because Morales loaded up on that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Morales misses with a head shot.
Fjordson really wants to buck Morales off and get back to his feet.
Morales lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Fjordson hang on?
Morales avoids the attempt from Fjordson to control.
Morales putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Morales lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Fjordson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Morales lands with some strikes.
Morales throwing strikes here but Fjordson is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Fjordson is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Morales scoring with strikes but Fjordson is staying in there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fjordson keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Morales cracks Fjordson with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
The referee warns Fjordson that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Morales landing shots from mount.
Morales landing shots from mount.
Morales lands a heavy elbow.
Morales lands a nice shot to the head.
Morales with the ground and pound from mount.
Fjordson is desperately trying to improve his position but Morales has a good base and remains in mount.
Morales working the ground and pound effectively.
Morales connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Morales working Fjordson over with strikes here.
Morales misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Fjordson wants to hold on but Morales pushes him away.
Morales punching from mount but Fjordson doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Fjordson working to try and regain half guard.
Fjordson wants to hold on but Morales pushes him away.
Morales working Fjordson over with strikes here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fjordson wants to hold on but Morales pushes him away.
The referee warns Fjordson that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Fjordson is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erik Morales dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Morales fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Fjordson, pushing him back against the cage.
Morales jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Fjordson walks away with a smile on his face. Morales gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Morales takes a kick to the side of the head.

Morales clinches up with Fjordson and pushes him back against the cage.
Morales is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Morales drags the fight down to the ground.
Fjordson trying to control the position from guard on top but Morales is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fjordson wants to get up but he can't break Morales's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Fjordson preventing the sweep.
Fjordson passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Morales is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Fjordson passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Morales!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fjordson trying to control but Morales is having none of it.

Fjordson gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Fjordson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Good exchange - Morales coming out on top.
Morales swats away the attempt to clinch by Fjordson.

Morales clinches up against the cage.
Fjordson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Morales manages to pull guard.

Morales has an active guard here but Fjordson has managed to pass into half guard.
Morales is not content to let Fjordson control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fjordson wants to stand but Morales has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Morales is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Fjordson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Fjordson's back!
Fjordson trying to control the hands but Morales breaks the grip.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Morales.
Morales misses with punches from the back.
Fjordson looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Fjordson is covering up but some of the strikes from Morales are getting through and doing damage.
Erik Morales overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Morales scores with strikes from the back.
Morales misses with a punch to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morales is throwing shots to the body but Fjordson manages to wriggle free. Morales pounces on him again and ends up in Fjordson's guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Fjordson throws a front kick that sends Morales stumbling back into the cage.
Morales fails with an attempt to clinch.
Morales tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Fjordson counters with a series of strikes. Morales will be more careful next time no doubt.
Fjordson fails with the takedown.
Fjordson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Morales sprawls well. Morales wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Fjordson gets slowly back to his feet.
Morales moves in looking to clinch but Fjordson pushes him off.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Fjordson.
Morales tries to improve position but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fjordson has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Morales pushes Fjordson up against the cage in a clinch.
Morales tries for a takedown but Fjordson manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erik Morales. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Fjordson breaks from the clinch.
Morales is looking to clinch.
Morales is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Morales connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Fjordson's hands.
Fjordson swats away the attempt to clinch by Morales.
Morales tries to clinch up but Fjordson circles away and keeps his distance.
Morales tries to clinch up.
Fjordson wants to clinch.
Fjordson lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fjord Fjordson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Fjordson has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fjord Fjordson!