PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Linus Rydanovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Retri Paladin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rydanovic comes to the cage accompanied by acdc - war machine. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rydanovic
vs
Paladin

175 cm
23
160 lbs
6 - 9 - 0

175 cm
24
165 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Linus Rydanovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Retri Paladin!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Rydanovic does no damage.
Rydanovic shoots in for a takedown but Paladin shows good takedown defense.
Paladin missing with a left hand there. Rydanovic was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Paladin fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Paladin misses with a combination

and Rydanovic counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Paladin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rydanovic thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Rydanovic is pressing down on Paladin's thigh, looking to free his foot. Paladin is holding on for now.
Rydanovic seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Paladin does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Rydanovic thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Paladin's head.
Paladin is trying to stand back up but Rydanovic is controlling him
Paladin makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Paladin.

Paladin looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Paladin looks gassed!

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Paladin swats away the attempt to clinch by Rydanovic.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paladin misses with a few strikes there.
Rydanovic needs to keep his hands up - Paladin had a free shot at his head there.
Retri Paladin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rydanovic fails with an attempt to clinch.
Paladin throws a right hand that Rydanovic ducks under and follows up with a left that Rydanovic also avoids with ease.
Paladin fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rydanovic tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Paladin paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rydanovic tries to close the distance and clinch but Paladin swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rydanovic fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rydanovic throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Paladin's waist but Paladin gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rydanovic off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Linus Rydanovic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Paladin throws a right and a left that Rydanovic avoids nicely.
Rydanovic tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Paladin paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rydanovic tries to close the distance and clinch up but Paladin swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rydanovic tries to clinch up but Paladin circles away and keeps his distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Paladin moves into the clinch successfully.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Paladin.
Paladin scores with a shoulder strike.

Rydanovic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Paladin connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Rydanovic closes the distance but Paladin moves to the side

and Paladin counters by clinching up.
Rydanovic tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Paladin just stands there and leans against the cage.
A short left from Paladin.
Rydanovic creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Paladin is struggling to control the position.
Paladin lands with a light punch inside.

Paladin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Paladin lands with a straight right. Rydanovic didn't see that one coming.
Paladin cracks Rydanovic with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Paladin tests Rydanovic's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Jab, jab by Paladin - just one landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Paladin!
Rydanovic doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Paladin counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Paladin dips to his left and cracks Rydanovic with an uppercut!
Paladin bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rydanovic's head backwards.
Paladin works the jab nicely.
Paladin scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Paladin connects with a right hand. Rydanovic shakes it off.
Paladin cracks Rydanovic with an open hand slap.
Rydanovic wants to clinch
and Paladin makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Paladin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rydanovic.
Paladin might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Rydanovic tries to clinch but Paladin is having none of it.
Rydanovic closes the distance looking to clinch
and Paladin counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rydanovic thinking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paladin connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Rydanovic's hands.
A shot to de liver by Paladin. Beautiful body shot.
Rydanovic shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Paladin counters with a nice body shot.
Paladin throws a right hand that Rydanovic ducks under and follows up with a left that Rydanovic also avoids with ease.
Rydanovic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nice jab there from Paladin.
Rydanovic wants to clinch
and Paladin counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Rydanovic walks into a left hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rydanovic doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Paladin cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rydanovic tries to clinch up
and Paladin makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Retri Paladin dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rydanovic tries to clinch up but Paladin circles away and keeps his distance.
A left and a right from Paladin both land. Nice combination.
Rydanovic tries to grapple but his opponent circles
letting Paladin counter with a right hand.
Rydanovic on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Rydanovic shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Paladin as he avoids it easily.
Rydanovic shoots and misses
and Paladin counters with a straight right hand.
Paladin darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Rydanovic takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Linus Rydanovic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A right-left combo lands from Paladin.
Paladin with a jab.
Paladin works the jab nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A left and a right from Paladin both land. Nice combination.
Rydanovic tries to clinch
and Paladin connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rydanovic looks to clinch
and Paladin counters with a left to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rydanovic misses with a wild combination.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Left hook, right uppercut from Paladin.
Nice takedown defense from Paladin. No joy for Rydanovic on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Linus Rydanovic. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Paladin clinches with his opponent.
Paladin lands a shoulder strike.
Still in the clinch, Paladin scores with a nice short uppercut.
A short left from Paladin.
Paladin lands a nice uppercut.
Paladin stops a takedown attempt from Rydanovic.
Paladin lands a hook that snaps the head of Rydanovic backwards.

Paladin manages to break the clinch.
Paladin with a jab.
Rydanovic wants to clinch but Paladin slips to the side
and Paladin counters with a straight right hand.
Rydanovic clinches but Paladin breaks the clinch
and Paladin cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rydanovic doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Retri Paladin seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donk. Paladin catches Rydanovic right on the button with a cross.
Paladin cracks a nice hook into Rydanovic's ribs.
Paladin lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Nice jab there from Paladin.
Rydanovic misses with a takedown
and Paladin counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rydanovic takes one to the chin there.
Rydanovic shoots in looking for a takedown. Paladin tries to sprawl out of it but Rydanovic keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Paladin manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Paladin scores with a punch to the head.
Rydanovic wants to clinch but Paladin slips to the side
and Paladin counters with a two punch combo.
Paladin displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rydanovic.
Rydanovic tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Paladin counters with a left to the body.
Paladin getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rydanovic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rydanovic tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Rydanovic takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rydanovic looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Rydanovic is trying hard to land a takedown here. Paladin sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Paladin scores with a jab to the head.
Rydanovic takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Nice jab there from Paladin.
Rydanovic shoots in but Paladin avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Paladin scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Rydanovic doesn't seem bothered though.
Paladin changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Paladin blocks a head kick by Rydanovic.
Rydanovic tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Paladin counters with a stiff right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paladin looks to land a right hand but Rydanovic moved out of range.
Paladin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rydanovic tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Paladin counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Rydanovic closes the distance looking to clinch
and Paladin makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Paladin works the jab nicely.
Paladin closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Paladin misses the shot to the body.
Paladin avoids the head kick by Rydanovic.
Paladin throws a series of punches but Rydanovic avoids them all with ease.
Good shot there by Paladin.
Paladin lands with a right hand.
Rydanovic looks to clinch
enabling Paladin to counter with a crisp jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Retri Paladin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Paladin lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Rydanovic throws a leg kick which misses Paladin's front leg but catches the back leg as Paladin tries to avoid it.
Paladin stuffs the takedown attempt from Rydanovic. Rydanovic gets slowly back to his feet.
Rydanovic tries to clinch
and Paladin counters with a left and a right that stings Rydanovic.
Rydanovic tries to clinch up
and Paladin connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rydanovic tries a head kick but it misses.
Paladin lands a two punch combo.
Rydanovic tries to clinch but Paladin moves away
and Paladin counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rydanovic is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Rydanovic closes the distance looking to clinch
and Paladin counters with a left to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rydanovic tries to clinch up
and Paladin connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Paladin, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Paladin misses with a looping right.
Rydanovic looks to clinch
and Paladin counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Rydanovic wants to clinch
and Paladin counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Rydanovic closes this distance looking for a takedown but Paladin circles away.
Paladin swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Rydanovic.
Paladin lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Rydanovic shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Paladin but Paladin pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Linus Rydanovic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Paladin stuffs the takedown.
Rydanovic takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Rydanovic clinches but Paladin breaks the clinch
and Paladin connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Rydanovic fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Paladin cracks Rydanovic with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Paladin connects with the punch.
Rydanovic tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Paladin counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Paladin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nice body punch from Paladin.
Rydanovic takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Jab, jab by Paladin - just one landing.
Nice sprawl there from Paladin as Rydanovic shoots in.
Rydanovic misses with a double jab

and Paladin counters by moving into the clinch.
Paladin gets through Rydanovic's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Rydanovic tries to pull guard but Paladin holds him up against the cage and eventually Rydanovic drops back down to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rydanovic pushes off an throws an elbow but Paladin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Paladin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Paladin is trying to force a seperation but Rydanovic has the dominant position.
Paladin prevents the takedown attempt.
Rydanovic is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Paladin gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Paladin tries to break the clinch but Rydanovic is controlling the position.
Paladin lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rydanovic backwards.
Paladin lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rydanovic backwards.
Paladin just leaning against Rydanovic, taking a breather.
Paladin lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Paladin is pressed up against the cage. Rydanovic has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Paladin down to the mat. Paladin avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Paladin lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Paladin lands a jab.
Rydanovic tries to clinch
and Paladin counters with a nice body shot.
Rydanovic tries to clinch up but Paladin circles away and keeps his distance.
Paladin connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Rydanovic momentarily.
Rydanovic clinches but Paladin breaks the clinch
and Paladin makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Paladin digs a good hook to Rydanovic's body.
Paladin lands a really nice looking cross but Rydanovic seems unphased.
Paladin throws a hook but Rydanovic blocks it.
Paladin tries to bum rush Rydanovic with a series of wild strikes but Rydanovic uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Paladin ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Rydanovic misses with a takedown attempt
and Paladin counters with a straight right hand.
A jab from Paladin does it's job there.
Paladin uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Rydanovic shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Paladin is trying to defend but Rydanovic finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Paladin slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Linus Rydanovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Retri Paladin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rydanovic throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Paladin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Retri Paladin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Paladin winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 26:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 26:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Retri Paladin!