PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Edil Rosenqvist (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Egil Skallagrimsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Rosenqvist
vs
Skallagrimsson

187 cm
22
215 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

190 cm
20
252 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good knees
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

Powder for your success

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Edil Rosenqvist!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Egil Skallagrimsson!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Skallagrimsson moves into range and clinches up with Rosenqvist.
Rosenqvist with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rosenqvist wants to get back to striking at distance but Skallagrimsson won't allow it.
Rosenqvist wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rosenqvist tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Skallagrimsson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Skallagrimsson prevents Rosenqvist from breaking the clinch.
Skallagrimsson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rosenqvist wants a takedown but no success here.
Rosenqvist tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Skallagrimsson smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Edil Rosenqvist. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rosenqvist tries to clinch but Skallagrimsson moves away

and Skallagrimsson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Rosenqvist is looking to break free of the clinch but Skallagrimsson has double underhooks.
Skallagrimsson tries to break the clinch but Rosenqvist is controlling the position.
Skallagrimsson lands a damaging elbow.
Rosenqvist can't break the clinch.

Skallagrimsson manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Skallagrimsson trying to strike off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rosenqvist wants to stand but Skallagrimsson is controlling his posture from full guard.
Skallagrimsson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Skallagrimsson 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.
Rosenqvist knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Skallagrimsson on the ground.
Rosenqvist trying to control the position from guard on top but Skallagrimsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Skallagrimsson is trying to keep Rosenqvist in close.
Skallagrimsson thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rosenqvist misses with a body kick.
Rosenqvist throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A head kick misses from Rosenqvist.

Rosenqvist tries to keep at a distance but Skallagrimsson has taken the fight into the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Skallagrimsson.
Rosenqvist wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rosenqvist is trying to break the clinch but Skallagrimsson has him pressed against the cage.
Skallagrimsson stalling in the clinch.
Skallagrimsson keeps control of Rosenqvist as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Skallagrimsson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Rosenqvist wants to break free but Skallagrimsson has control.
Skallagrimsson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rosenqvist gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Rosenqvist wants to get back to striking at distance but Skallagrimsson won't allow it.
Rosenqvist blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rosenqvist has Skallagrimsson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Skallagrimsson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Rosenqvist wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Skallagrimsson has him pressed against the cage.
Skallagrimsson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rosenqvist pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rosenqvist wants to break the clinch but can't.
Skallagrimsson should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Rosenqvist wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Skallagrimsson has him pressed against the cage.
Skallagrimsson looks to throw an elbow but misses.

Skallagrimsson gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Rosenqvist is looking to stand up but Skallagrimsson isn't so interested in that idea.
Skallagrimsson trying to control the position from guard on top but Rosenqvist is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skallagrimsson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Skallagrimsson trying to control the position from guard on top but Rosenqvist is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Skallagrimsson throwing strikes from guard but Rosenqvist blocks nicely.
Rosenqvist wants to get back to his feet but Skallagrimsson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Skallagrimsson wants to control from the top but Rosenqvist keeps moving.
Skallagrimsson looks gassed!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rosenqvist. That's going to slow Skallagrimsson down.
Skallagrimsson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rosenqvist circles away.
Rosenqvist throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Skallagrimsson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Skallagrimsson.

Skallagrimsson has picked Rosenqvist up - he's going for a ride! Skallagrimsson dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Rosenqvist is trying to stand up here but Skallagrimsson is controlling him well.
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. Skallagrimsson connects with a nice short shot to Rosenqvist's temple.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Skallagrimsson wants to take a breather but Rosenqvist is having none of it.
Rosenqvist is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rosenqvist striking from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skallagrimsson is looking to take a break and control but Rosenqvist is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rosenqvist tries to roll over but Skallagrimsson keeps him under control.
Rosenqvist is working hard here to advance position.
Rosenqvist on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Rosenqvist tries to get out of the position.

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

Skallagrimsson drives through and clinches with Rosenqvist against the cage.

Skallagrimsson drags the fight down to the ground.
Skallagrimsson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Skallagrimsson seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Rosenqvist has hold of Skallagrimsson's hands but Skallagrimsson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Skallagrimsson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Skallagrimsson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Skallagrimsson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Skallagrimsson wants to take a breather but Rosenqvist is having none of it.
Rosenqvist taking some punishment here, with Skallagrimsson in his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rosenqvist is not content to let Skallagrimsson control the position.
Skallagrimsson might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Rosenqvist kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Skallagrimsson is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Rosenqvist has managed to free his arm - good work.
Skallagrimsson is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Rosenqvist taking some punishment here, with Skallagrimsson in his half guard.
Rosenqvist controlling the position well.
Skallagrimsson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Rosenqvist with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Rosenqvist looks like he's trying to stand up.
Skallagrimsson passes the guard and advances to mount!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Skallagrimsson looking to control but Rosenqvist is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Rosenqvist tries to buck Skallagrimsson off but he can't manage it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Egil Skallagrimsson dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Rosenqvist throws a head kick but Skallagrimsson moves out of range.
Rosenqvist tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Skallagrimsson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Skallagrimsson cracks Rosenqvist with a nice body shot.
Rosenqvist wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Skallagrimsson has him pressed against the cage.
Rosenqvist can't break the clinch.
Rosenqvist wants to get back to striking at distance but Skallagrimsson won't allow it.

Skallagrimsson drags the fight down to the ground.
Skallagrimsson manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Skallagrimsson wants to control the pace but Rosenqvist is squirming around nicely.
BOOM! Skallagrimsson connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Rosenqvist avoids a series of strikes thrown by Skallagrimsson.
Rosenqvist tries to reverse the position but Skallagrimsson maintains control.
Rosenqvist is squirming around, avoiding Skallagrimsson's attempts to control the action.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Skallagrimsson looking to control and managing it successfully.
Skallagrimsson working away from the top, dropping strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skallagrimsson with good strikes from the mount here!
Rosenqvist is working to get back to half guard.
Skallagrimsson scoring with strikes but Rosenqvist is staying in there.
Rosenqvist tries to lock up and control but Skallagrimsson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Skallagrimsson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Skallagrimsson lands a big shot there that rocks Rosenqvist but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Rosenqvist is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Rosenqvist throwing hammer fists to the chest of Skallagrimsson. What's that going to do exactly?
Rosenqvist is working to get back to half guard.
Skallagrimsson lands with some strikes.
Rosenqvist keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Rosenqvist is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Rosenqvist is in all sorts of trouble here.
Rosenqvist's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rosenqvist is trying desperately to improve position.
Rosenqvist avoids a series of strikes thrown by Skallagrimsson.
Skallagrimsson thowing shots but they're missing.
Rosenqvist is desperately trying to improve his position but Skallagrimsson has a good base and remains in mount.
Egil Skallagrimsson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rosenqvist wants to try and get back to his feet.
Skallagrimsson wants to control the pace but Rosenqvist is squirming around nicely.
Rosenqvist is trying to escape the mount.
Rosenqvist really wants to buck Skallagrimsson off and get back to his feet.
Rosenqvist keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
You get the feeling that Rosenqvist really doesn't like being in this position too much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skallagrimsson fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Skallagrimsson content just to control the position here.
Rosenqvist wants to get back to his feet.
Rosenqvist takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Rosenqvist can't escape the position.
Rosenqvist wants to try and get back to his feet.

Rosenqvist somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
Rosenqvist throws a nice looking combination but Skallagrimsson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rosenqvist knocks Skallagrimsson to the floor with a head kick! Can he finish him!?

Skallagrimsson is rocked!

It looks like Egil Skallagrimsson has been cut.
Rosenqvist cracks Skallagrimsson with a big right hand but Skallagrimsson just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Skallagrimsson is still in real trouble! Can Rosenqvist finish him?
Skallagrimsson tries to bench press Rosenqvist off him but Rosenqvist keeps the position.
Rosenqvist lands a decent elbow from side control.
Rosenqvist lands a nice forearm strike.
Rosenqvist working the head with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rosenqvist wants to stand but Skallagrimsson is controlling his arm.
Skallagrimsson manages to work his way to half guard, despite Rosenqvist's best efforts.
Skallagrimsson gets back to full guard.
Skallagrimsson looking for a sweep. Not yet Skallagrimsson, not yet.
Rosenqvist loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rosenqvist has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Skallagrimsson is proving hard to escape from.
Skallagrimsson striking off his back but it's not causing Rosenqvist any problems.
Skallagrimsson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rosenqvist is one step ahead there.
Rosenqvist is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Skallagrimsson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Skallagrimsson is looking to clinch but Rosenqvist is avoiding it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rosenqvist throws a sloppy head kick and Skallagrimsson moves out of range easily.

Skallagrimsson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Rosenqvist looks like he's trying to stand up.
Skallagrimsson wants to pass the guard but Rosenqvist is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Edil Rosenqvist will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Egil Skallagrimsson's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Skallagrimsson darts in and clinches Rosenqvist up against the cage.
Skallagrimsson seems to have recovered his senses.
Skallagrimsson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Rosenqvist looking for a takedown.
Skallagrimsson looking to stall.

Skallagrimsson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Skallagrimsson stuffs the takedown attempt from Rosenqvist. Rosenqvist gets slowly back to his feet.
Rosenqvist misses with a head kick.

Skallagrimsson gets a takedown into half guard.
Rosenqvist is looking to escape.

Skallagrimsson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Well, if Skallagrimsson is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Skallagrimsson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Skallagrimsson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rosenqvist keeps working.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rosenqvist is looking to get back to is feet but Skallagrimsson passes into side control.

Skallagrimsson tries for a kimura but Rosenqvist is defending well.
Skallagrimsson working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Rosenqvist is trying to get back to his feet.
Skallagrimsson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rosenqvist keeps working.
Rosenqvist wants to control but Skallagrimsson postures up.
Skallagrimsson taking a breather here.
Rosenqvist is trying to improve his position.
Skallagrimsson trying to control the action but Rosenqvist is working from the bottom.
Rosenqvist tries to buck Skallagrimsson off but Skallagrimsson is having none of it.

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.
Rosenqvist is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rosenqvist throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

Skallagrimsson rushes Rosenqvist and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Skallagrimsson is trying to maintain a safe position but Rosenqvist gets an underhook and turns Skallagrimsson into the cage.
Rosenqvist can't break the clinch.
Rosenqvist is looking to break free of the clinch but Skallagrimsson has double underhooks.
Rosenqvist wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rosenqvist wants to break the clinch but can't.
Skallagrimsson avoiding damage.
Rosenqvist wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rosenqvist tries to break the clinch but Skallagrimsson is controlling the position.
Rosenqvist using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Skallagrimsson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Skallagrimsson keeps control of Rosenqvist as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Skallagrimsson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rosenqvist gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Rosenqvist wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rosenqvist is looking to break free of the clinch but Skallagrimsson has double underhooks.
Rosenqvist throws a knee to the head but misses.

Skallagrimsson decides to pull guard.
Rosenqvist wants to get up but he can't break Skallagrimsson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Skallagrimsson trying to keep a closed guard but Rosenqvist is proving a slippery customer.
Rosenqvist trying to stand up but can't free himself from Skallagrimsson's guard.
Skallagrimsson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rosenqvist's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rosenqvist is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Skallagrimsson is controlling him.
Rosenqvist trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Skallagrimsson pushes down on Rosenqvist's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Rosenqvist wants to get back to full guard.
Rosenqvist misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Rosenqvist is looking to escape.
Rosenqvist is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Rosenqvist fails to land with a series of punches.
Rosenqvist tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rosenqvist tries for a takedown but Skallagrimsson circles away easily

and Skallagrimsson counters with a single leg into guard. Rosenqvist didn't expect that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Edil Rosenqvist. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Skallagrimsson working some strikes from top position.
Rosenqvist looking to control.
Rosenqvist wants to stand but Skallagrimsson is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skallagrimsson landing with the ground and pound.
Skallagrimsson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rosenqvist swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rosenqvist keeping moving, preventing Skallagrimsson from controlling successfully.
Rosenqvist wants to stand up but Skallagrimsson is controlling him.
Rosenqvist throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Skallagrimsson prevents Rosenqvist from getting back to his feet.
Rosenqvist punching from the bottom.
Skallagrimsson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Rosenqvist's guard.
Skallagrimsson is tying to control. Rosenqvist wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Skallagrimsson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Skallagrimsson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Skallagrimsson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rosenqvist keeps working.
Skallagrimsson prevents Rosenqvist from standing back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Egil Skallagrimsson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Skallagrimsson 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 28:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Egil Skallagrimsson!