PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Trygve Graudheim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Harald Blaatand (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Graudheim comes to the cage accompanied by The Lucky Bullets "Folsom Prison Blues". Blaatand is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Raining Blood. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Graudheim
vs
Blaatand

186 cm
27
250 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

198 cm
27
285 lbs
10 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 4 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Trygve Graudheim!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Harald Blaatand!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Alan Glass and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice uppercut there from Graudheim.
Blaatand checks a low kick from Graudheim.
Blaatand connects with a good right hand that stumbles Graudheim. Graudheim circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Graudheim looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Graudheim not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Blaatand keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Graudheim not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Graudheim thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Blaatand works his way to full guard. Good work.
Graudheim with a flurry of punches that miss.
Graudheim trying to control the position from guard on top but Blaatand is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Graudheim postures up in Blaatand's guard and throws a big left but Blaatand blocks it.
Graudheim might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Blaatand's corner calls for a 1-2. Blaatand obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Blaatand needs to keep his hands up - Graudheim had a free shot at his head there.

Blaatand gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Graudheim to score an easy takedown into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graudheim throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Blaatand avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Graudheim throwing strikes from guard but Blaatand blocks nicely.
Graudheim in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Graudheim postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Graudheim loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Graudheim landing some decent shots from guard.
Graudheim scoring with some ground and pound.
Blaatand utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graudheim advances to half guard.
Blaatand wants to get back to full guard.
Graudheim throws a strike but Blaatand avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Blaatand can do anything to dispel that myth.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Graudheim accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Blaatand preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Graudheim with a flurry of punches that miss.
Blaatand utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Graudheim trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Graudheim throws a strike but Blaatand rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Graudheim 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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Graudheim lands a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Blaatand clinches with his opponent.
Blaatand is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Blaatand.
Graudheim scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Graudheim lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Graudheim lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Graudheim scores with a nice hook to the head.
Blaatand lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Nice elbow from Blaatand.
Blaatand has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Graudheim is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Blaatand looks gassed!
Blaatand misses with a hook from the clinch.
Graudheim pushes Blaatand back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Graudheim misses with the head strike.
Graudheim misses with a short punch on the inside.
Graudheim lands a hook that snaps the head of Blaatand backwards.
Graudheim comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Graudheim lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Graudheim is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Blaatand pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Graudheim misses with the head strike.
Graudheim lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Graudheim creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Graudheim lands with a right to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Graudheim breaks from the clinch.
Blaatand throws a jab but it's blocked by Graudheim.
Graudheim connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Donk. Graudheim catches Blaatand right on the button with a cross.
A big right from Graudheim misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Graudheim is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Blaatand's half guard.
Blaatand is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Graudheim scores with a couple of nice shots.
Blaatand avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Graudheim.
Graudheim working over Blaatand with some ground and pound. Blaatand looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Graudheim scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Graudheim lands a nice short elbow.
Graudheim thows a huge punch but Blaatand dodges it nicely.
Blaatand avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Graudheim.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Graudheim lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Graudheim sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Blaatand defending well though.
Graudheim drops an elbow to the side of Blaatand's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Trygve Graudheim dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Blaatand gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Graudheim connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Blaatand missing with a left hand there. Graudheim was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Graudheim lands with a kick to the temple. Blaatand shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Blaatand looks for a takedown but Graudheim sprawls well.
Graudheim works over Blaatand's head and body with a nice combination.
Graudheim scores with a nice strike.
Graudheim bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Blaatand blocks a head kick by Graudheim.
Blaatand takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Graudheim here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Graudheim throws a series of punches but Blaatand moves out of range.
A jab from Graudheim does it's job there.
Graudheim lands a glancing blow to the side of Blaatand's head.
Blaatand is breathing heavily.
Blaatand blocks a jab.
Trygve Graudheim seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Graudheim lands a nice hook to Blaatand's body. Blaatand takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Graudheim pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Graudheim clobbers Blaatand with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Graudheim is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Blaatand takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graudheim lands with an overhand left.
Graudheim cracks Blaatand with a good jab.
Graudheim connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Trygve Graudheim is winning the standup battle so far.
Blaatand closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Graudheim lands with a good body shot.
Graudheim throws a shot from downtown. Blaatand moves away and avoids it.
Graudheim ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Graudheim fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Blaatand sprawls well initially but Graudheim persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Graudheim lands strikes from half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Graudheim missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Blaatand is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Graudheim scores with a couple of nice shots.
Graudheim seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Blaatand on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Graudheim connects with a nice short shot to Blaatand's temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graudheim sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Blaatand defending well though.
Blaatand avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Graudheim.
Blaatand is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Graudheim scores with a couple of nice shots.
Graudheim seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Graudheim lands strikes from half guard.

Graudheim is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Blaatand is just riding it out for now. Graudheim eventually gives up the hold.
Graudheim takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graudheim thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Blaatand's head.
Blaatand controlling the position well.
Blaatand blocking the ground and pound attempt from Graudheim.
Blaatand avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Graudheim.
Graudheim working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Graudheim is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Blaatand can do to turn this around?
Graudheim throwing shots but Blaatand is blocking nicely.

Graudheim is looking for a kimura but Blaatand is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Graudheim to get the leverage.
Graudheim thows a huge punch but Blaatand dodges it nicely.
Graudheim wants to take a breather but Blaatand is having none of it.
Graudheim scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Graudheim throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Blaatand wants to improve his position but Graudheim is controlling well.
Graudheim scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Blaatand trying to control here.
Graudheim takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Blaatand avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Graudheim.
Graudheim throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Blaatand on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Graudheim not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Trygve Graudheim dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Graudheim thuds a left hand into Blaatand's body.
Blaatand throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Graudheim gets a takedown into half guard.
Graudheim sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Blaatand defending well though.
Graudheim missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Graudheim throwing shots but Blaatand is blocking nicely.
Graudheim landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Graudheim is trying to control. Blaatand wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Graudheim has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Blaatand takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Graudheim lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Blaatand regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Graudheim.
Graudheim is working Blaatand over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graudheim looking to pass the guard.
Graudheim throwing strikes but missing.
Blaatand trying to keep a closed guard but Graudheim is proving a slippery customer.
Graudheim thows a big elbow that misses.
Graudheim connects with a couple of short punches.
Graudheim loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Graudheim loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Graudheim stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Blaatand swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Graudheim connects with a couple of short punches.
Trygve Graudheim overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Graudheim is pushing down on Blaatand's leg trying to pass to half guard. Blaatand is fighting to maintain full guard but Graudheim has managed to sneak the leg through.
Blaatand is looking to improve his position.

Graudheim is looking for a kimura but Blaatand is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Graudheim to get the leverage.
Blaatand is looking for a sweep. Graudheim is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Graudheim working the head and body with strikes.
Graudheim looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Blaatand with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Graudheim working Blaatand over with strikes.
Graudheim missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Graudheim wants to work for an arm triangle but Blaatand is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Graudheim is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Graudheim tries to pass to full mount but Blaatand defends it.
Blaatand regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Graudheim.
Graudheim advances to half guard.
Graudheim trying to control the action but Blaatand is working from the bottom.
Graudheim throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Graudheim is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Blaatand is just riding it out for now. Graudheim eventually gives up the hold.
Blaatand tries to roll over but Graudheim keeps him under control.
Blaatand blocking the ground and pound attempt from Graudheim.
Graudheim looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Blaatand with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Graudheim is working for a kimura but Blaatand is defending it quite comfortably.
Graudheim not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Trygve Graudheim clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Blaatand lands a glancing blow to the side of Graudheim's head.
Some wild striking there from Graudheim.
Blaatand on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Graudheim misses with an uppercut. Blaatand saw that one coming.
Blaatand wants to clinch up but Graudheim keeps it at a distance.
Graudheim throws a hook but Blaatand avoids it easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Blaatand.
Graudheim jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Graudheim gets a takedown into half guard.
Graudheim working Blaatand over with strikes.
Blaatand is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Blaatand keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Blaatand is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graudheim seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Blaatand is trying to control but can't.

Graudheim is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Graudheim missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Blaatand wants to control but Graudheim is keeping busy.
Graudheim throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Graudheim wants to pass to mount but Blaatand is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Graudheim lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Graudheim missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Graudheim working Blaatand over with strikes.
Graudheim working the head and body with strikes.
Nice strikes from Graudheim there.
Graudheim thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Blaatand is holding on to half guard well.
Blaatand avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Graudheim.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graudheim throwing shots but Blaatand is blocking nicely.
Graudheim is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Graudheim works his foot free and advances to mount.
Blaatand is trying to escape the mount.
Graudheim tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
A nice elbow there by Graudheim.
Harald Blaatand has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Graudheim looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Graudheim landing punches.
Graudheim is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Graudheim working Blaatand over with strikes here.
The referee warns Blaatand that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Blaatand wants to control but Graudheim is having none of it.
Trygve Graudheim is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Graudheim wants to control the pace but Blaatand is squirming around nicely.
Graudheim working the ground and pound effectively.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Blaatand taking shots to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Trygve Graudheim showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Graudheim 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 4 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 40:34
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 40:34
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 40:34

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Trygve Graudheim!