PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rolf Thorkildsen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Valdemar Friman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thorkildsen kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is AC/DC - Hell's Bells. Friman has chosen Metallica - Damage Inc. as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Thorkildsen
vs
Friman

176 cm
24
163 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

168 cm
25
160 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BEST NUTRITION,no doping
Knock Out Artistry

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 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rolf Thorkildsen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Valdemar Friman!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Johanna Lukiainen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Friman scores with a kick to the midsection.
Friman doesn't manage to clinch there - Thorkildsen circles away.
Thorkildsen lands a two punch combo.
Friman has a takedown stuffed.
Friman on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Friman throws a leg kick but Thorkildsen sees it coming and moves out of range.
Friman with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Decent striking displayed by Thorkildsen there.
Thorkildsen closes this distance looking for a takedown but Friman circles away.
Thorkildsen lands a lovely overhand right.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A decent looking cross lands there for Thorkildsen.
Thorkildsen digs a good hook to Friman's body.
Friman tests Thorkildsen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Thorkildsen lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Thorkildsen shoots in for a takedown but Friman shows good takedown defense.
Thorkildsen throws a series of punches but Friman avoids them all with ease.
Friman misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Friman gets a clinch.
Friman lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Thorkildsen or not.
Thorkildsen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Friman gets underhooks to prevent Thorkildsen's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rolf Thorkildsen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thorkildsen is looking to break free of the clinch but Friman has double underhooks.

Thorkildsen gets control of Friman's arms and successfully pulls guard. Thorkildsen will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Friman sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Thorkildsen's guard.

Friman seems to be working for a kimura but Thorkildsen defends the submission attempt.

Friman is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Thorkildsen is just riding it out for now. Friman eventually gives up the hold.
Thorkildsen wants to get back to full guard.
Friman sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Thorkildsen defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thorkildsen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Thorkildsen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Friman is working away from the top position though.
Thorkildsen moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Thorkildsen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Friman tries to free his leg and advance position but Thorkildsen is retaining full guard.

Thorkildsen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Friman defends it easily.
Friman throwing strikes from guard but Thorkildsen blocks nicely.
Thorkildsen is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Friman thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Friman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Thorkildsen is on top in guard.
Friman wants to sweep but no luck.
Thorkildsen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Friman swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Thorkildsen wants to control from the top but Friman keeps moving.
Thorkildsen sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Friman's guard.
Thorkildsen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Friman defending well though.
Friman gets full guard.
Thorkildsen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Friman is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Thorkildsen is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thorkildsen passes into half guard.
Friman regains full guard. Nicely done.
Thorkildsen keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Friman's head.
Thorkildsen passes Friman's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Thorkildsen throwing shots but Friman is blocking nicely.
Friman is refusing to be controlled, as Thorkildsen sits in half guard.

Friman looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The fighters are battling for position here. Friman manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Thorkildsen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rolf Thorkildsen dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

The fighters circling - Friman throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Thorkildsen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Thorkildsen is looking to slow Friman down with leg kicks.
Thorkildsen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Friman decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Thorkildsen's guard.

Thorkildsen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Friman drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Friman jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Friman in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Thorkildsen manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Friman manages to get himself to full guard.

Friman looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Friman lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Thorkildsen!
Friman is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thorkildsen tries to reverse the position but Friman maintains control.

Friman working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Thorkildsen slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Thorkildsen wants to control but Friman is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Friman thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Thorkildsen manages to get to full guard.

Thorkildsen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Friman gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Friman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Thorkildsen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Thorkildsen manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Friman manages to get himself to full guard.
Friman bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Thorkildsen's guard.
Thorkildsen is trying to control the position but Friman postures up.

Friman got a little sloppy there for a moment and Thorkildsen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Friman has managed to get both his arms back between Thorkildsen's legs - danger averted.
Friman passes Thorkildsen's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Thorkildsen wants to get back to full guard.
Friman looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Thorkildsen with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Friman lands strikes from half guard.
Thorkildsen tries to roll over but Friman keeps him under control.

Friman is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Thorkildsen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Friman's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Friman's back!
Friman turns into Thorkildsen and is now in his guard.
Friman preventing the sweep.

Thorkildsen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Friman doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Friman manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Friman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Thorkildsen swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four 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.

Thorkildsen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Friman is pushing down on Thorkildsen's leg trying to pass to half guard. Thorkildsen is fighting to maintain full guard but Friman has managed to sneak the leg through.

Friman seems to be looking for submissions.

Thorkildsen looking for submissions off his back.
Friman moves into full mount! Thorkildsen won't be happy about that!
Friman fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

Friman goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Thorkildsen turns into him and now he's in Friman's guard.
Thorkildsen stands up over Friman, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valdemar Friman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Thorkildsen slips under a jab.
Friman takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Rolf Thorkildsen is winning the standup battle so far.
Friman blocks a jab.
Friman avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Friman fails with a takedown attempt.
Thorkildsen lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Thorkildsen digs a good body shot into Friman's ribs.
Thorkildsen fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Friman avoids it really well and circles away.

Thorkildsen closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Friman to the mat! Friman manages to get full guard.

Friman is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Friman looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thorkildsen working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Friman's head.
Thorkildsen is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Friman looking to hit a scissor sweep but Thorkildsen is one step ahead there.
Thorkildsen sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Thorkildsen lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Rolf Thorkildsen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Thorkildsen preventing the sweep.

Thorkildsen drops back looking for a leg! Friman is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Friman manages to kick Thorkildsen off! Thorkildsen jumps back into Friman's guard.
Friman looking to hit a scissor sweep but Thorkildsen is one step ahead there.

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

Friman throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Thorkildsen trying to control the position from guard on top but Friman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Friman throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Thorkildsen wants to control from the top but Friman keeps moving.
Thorkildsen postures up and lands a big shot to Friman's brow.
Thorkildsen won't allow Friman to sweep him here.

Friman had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Thorkildsen defends it easily.
Thorkildsen trying to control the position from guard on top but Friman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Thorkildsen scores with a hook.

Friman gets caught flat footed, as Thorkildsen shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Friman looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Thorkildsen trying to control but Friman is working from the bottom.
Thorkildsen makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Thorkildsen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Thorkildsen pushes down on Friman's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Thorkildsen thows a huge punch but Friman dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Friman is looking to improve his position.
Ground and pound from Thorkildsen.
Friman gets full guard.
Thorkildsen working some strikes from top position.
Thorkildsen distracts Friman with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Friman has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Thorkildsen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Thorkildsen trying to control the position from guard on top but Friman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thorkildsen is working Friman over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Friman wants to sweep here but Thorkildsen controlling him for the moment.
Friman is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rolf Thorkildsen showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Thorkildsen has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rolf Thorkildsen!