PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Retri Paladin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ragna Renstrom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Paladin
vs
Renstrom

175 cm
27
136 lbs
13 - 11 - 0

172 cm
25
168 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Good elbows
Enjoys gardening

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 13 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Retri Paladin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Ragna Renstrom!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Chris Edwards and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A nice combination there by Paladin.
Renstrom with a poor takedown
and Paladin connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Donk. Paladin catches Renstrom right on the button with a cross.
Paladin throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Renstrom blocks a jab.
Paladin throws a right hand that misses

and Renstrom counters by moving into the clinch.
Renstrom tries to pull guard but Paladin won't allow it.
Renstrom lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Paladin tries to break the clinch but Renstrom is controlling the position.
A short left from Renstrom.
Renstrom scores with a nice hook to the head.
Renstrom's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Paladin stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Renstrom lands with a short shot to the head.
Renstrom working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Renstrom managing to block the knees to the body from Paladin.
Paladin working aggressively here.
Renstrom lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Paladin backwards.
Renstrom lands with a light punch inside.

Paladin is rocked!
A left hand lands to the body for Renstrom.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Paladin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Renstrom works on Paladin's body with a couple of short punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Renstrom scores with a nice short uppercut.
Oh Paladin is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
A right hand to the body from Renstrom.
Paladin seems to have got his legs back now.
Paladin wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Paladin prevents a takedown attempt there.
Retri Paladin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ragna Renstrom.
Paladin gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Renstrom.
Stalling in the clinch from Renstrom.
Paladin's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Paladin misses with an elbow over the top.
Renstrom can't get the takedown.
Paladin is trying to push Renstrom away but Renstrom has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Renstrom prevents Paladin from breaking the clinch.
Paladin lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Renstrom lands with a right to the head.
Renstrom is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Paladin is trying to push Renstrom away but Renstrom has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Paladin blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Paladin has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Paladin lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Renstrom looks gassed!

Renstrom gets control of Paladin's arms and successfully pulls guard. Renstrom will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Paladin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Paladin decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Renstrom, up you get!
Renstrom walks into a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Paladin misses.
Renstrom avoids the head kick by Paladin.
Paladin dips to his left and cracks Renstrom with an uppercut!
Renstrom's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Paladin connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Renstrom scrambles back to his feet.
Paladin lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Renstrom circles away quickly and effectively.
Sloppy strikes from Paladin. Those never looked like landing.
Renstrom walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Sloppy strikes from Paladin. Those never looked like landing.
Paladin tries to bum rush Renstrom with a series of wild strikes but Renstrom uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Paladin scores with a hook to the body. Renstrom takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Retri Paladin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Paladin misses with a combination

and Renstrom counters with a single leg into guard. Paladin didn't expect that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paladin wants to stand but Renstrom is controlling the position.

Renstrom drops back looking for a leg! Paladin is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Paladin manages to kick Renstrom off! Renstrom jumps back into Paladin's guard.
Paladin wants to sweep here but Renstrom controlling him for the moment.
Paladin keeping moving, preventing Renstrom from controlling successfully.
Renstrom postures up.

Renstrom stands up and waves to Paladin to follow him.

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.
Paladin swinging wildly here.
Paladin throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Paladin misses with a two punch combination.
Paladin throws a combination that misses

and Renstrom counters by moving into the clinch.
Renstrom slowing the pace effectively.
Renstrom has a couple of punches blocked by Paladin.

Paladin is fighting off a takedown attempt but Renstrom is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Paladin to the mat. Paladin regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Renstrom accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Renstrom is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Paladin wants to stand and escape but Renstrom is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ragna Renstrom dominated that round.
That's time! Paladin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Paladin misses with an uppercut

and Renstrom counters by clinching up.
Renstrom dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Renstrom lands a nice uppercut.
Renstrom works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Renstrom turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Renstrom manages to end up in side control.
Paladin is trying to improve his position.
Paladin can't do much from the bottom here.
Paladin avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Renstrom.

Renstrom is trying to get an arm triangle but Paladin is defending well.

Renstrom is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Paladin knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Renstrom is in a dominant position here, looking for a kimura. Paladin looks calm but he's in trouble here. Renstrom gets his leg over his opponent's head and yanks on the arm. Paladin is tapping like a morse code operator on the titanic! SOS! SOS! Renstrom lets go of the hold and Paladin can pop his arm back in it's socket.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:02 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Ragna Renstrom!