PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Atli Eriksson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Fletcher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fletcher is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Gallows - London is the reason. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Eriksson
vs
Fletcher

183 cm
23
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
22
201 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Atli Eriksson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Johnny Fletcher!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Daniel Bishop and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fletcher looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Eriksson is looking for a sweep. Fletcher is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Eriksson is working hard here to advance position.
Eriksson is pressing down on Fletcher's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Eriksson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Fletcher defends it easily.
Fletcher is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Eriksson controls Fletcher momentarily but Fletcher frees himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Eriksson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Eriksson working for a triangle but Fletcher defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eriksson keeping moving, preventing Fletcher from controlling successfully.

Eriksson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Fletcher trying to control but Eriksson is working from the bottom.
Fletcher is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Fletcher wants to control from the top but Eriksson keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eriksson is trying to control the position but Fletcher postures up.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Johnny Fletcher hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Eriksson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Fletcher is fending him off so far but Eriksson persists. Nope, Fletcher circles away and we're back to standing.
Eriksson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Fletcher as he avoids it easily.
Eriksson shoots and misses

so Fletcher counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Atli Eriksson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Eriksson is breathing heavily.
Eriksson manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fletcher wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Eriksson trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eriksson trying to control.
Eriksson has the hooks in. Fletcher is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Fletcher biding his time here by controlling the hands, looking to escape.
Fletcher manages to reverse the position and now he's in Eriksson's guard. Nice work there by Fletcher.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Eriksson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Fletcher can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Eriksson is looking for a triangle but Fletcher pushes his legs off easily.
Eriksson pulls Fletcher in close to his closed guard and prevents Fletcher from doing any damage or advancing position.
Fletcher tries to free his leg and advance position but Eriksson is retaining full guard.
Fletcher wants to control from the top but Eriksson keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fletcher controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Atli Eriksson will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Fletcher stuffs the takedown attempt from Eriksson. Eriksson gets slowly back to his feet.
Eriksson shoots for a takedown but Fletcher saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Atli Eriksson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fletcher keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Atli Eriksson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Eriksson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Fletcher using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Eriksson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
No joy there for Fletcher, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Eriksson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Fletcher tries to avoid it but Eriksson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Fletcher to the ground. Fletcher escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eriksson looks for the body kick but Fletcher saw that one coming.
Eriksson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Fletcher avoids it really well and circles away.
Fletcher fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Eriksson avoids it really well and circles away.
Fletcher swings for the body but Eriksson moves out of range.

Fletcher bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Eriksson can't do much from the bottom here.
Eriksson is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Fletcher is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eriksson on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Eriksson is looking to regain half guard here but Fletcher keeps moving and retains side control.
Johnny Fletcher has got the better of the ground game so far.

Fletcher decides to stand back up. Fletcher steps back and let's Eriksson get back to his feet.

Eriksson closes the distance and clinches.

Fletcher manages to break the clinch.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Fletcher tries a body shot but Eriksson blocks it.
Eriksson working Fletcher over with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eriksson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Fletcher avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Fletcher has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Eriksson uses from the top position.
Fletcher utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Eriksson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Fletcher's guard.
Eriksson advances position into side control!
Eriksson in side control, throwing shots but Fletcher defends.
Fletcher is trying to work for a sweep but Eriksson has mounted him!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Eriksson cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Fletcher is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eriksson with the ground and pound from mount.
Eriksson looking to control but Fletcher is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Fletcher in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Eriksson has hold of Fletcher's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Fletcher manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Fletcher gets back to half guard.
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 Atli Eriksson will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Eriksson shoots in for a double leg but Fletcher sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Eriksson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Fletcher taking a breather.
Eriksson is trying to maintain a safe position but Fletcher gets an underhook and turns Eriksson into the cage.
Eriksson fails to pull guard.
Fletcher tries to throw a body punch but Eriksson avoids it by throwing Fletcher back against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Fletcher decides to pull guard.
Fletcher takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Eriksson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Eriksson stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Eriksson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Atli Eriksson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fletcher will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fletcher plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Eriksson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Eriksson lands in his opponent's guard.

Eriksson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Fletcher has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Eriksson has managed to get both his arms back between Fletcher's legs - danger averted.
Eriksson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Fletcher is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Eriksson pulls guard.
Fletcher preventing the sweep.
Eriksson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Fletcher controls the pace.
Fletcher won't allow Eriksson to sweep him here.
Eriksson keeping full guard, as Fletcher tries to pass.
Fletcher must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Eriksson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Fletcher's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Eriksson trying to control the position from guard on top but Fletcher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Eriksson stops Fletcher from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eriksson trying to control the position from guard on top but Fletcher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Atli Eriksson just wasn't active enough.
Eriksson tries for a takedown but Fletcher circles away easily

and Fletcher counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Fletcher.
The referee calls for Fletcher to work.
Eriksson wants to stall.
Johnny Fletcher has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fletcher stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fletcher fails to pull guard.

Eriksson jumps guard and drags Fletcher to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Eriksson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Fletcher trying to control but Eriksson is working from the bottom.

Fletcher stands and steps away. Eriksson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
A head kick from Eriksson lands but Fletcher takes it in his stride.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Eriksson with a poor takedown

and Fletcher counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Fletcher.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fletcher landing with the ground and pound.
Atli Eriksson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Eriksson has his feet on Fletcher's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Atli Eriksson.
Well Eriksson 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Atli Eriksson!