PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vegard Bjorneset (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank Hammarbekk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Frank Hammarbekk will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Bjorneset
vs
Hammarbekk

182 cm
22
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

225 cm
20
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Vegard Bjorneset!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Frank Hammarbekk!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Hugh Johnson and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bjorneset lands with a thumping leg kick.

Bjorneset has taken the fight to the clinch.
Bjorneset holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
Bjorneset tries for a takedown. No joy.

Bjorneset drags the fight down to the ground.
Hammarbekk controls from within his opponent's guard.
Hammarbekk must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Bjorneset preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bjorneset looking to control.
Hammarbekk pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bjorneset is keeping the position for now.
Bjorneset is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hammarbekk being controlled here momentarily.
Hammarbekk postures up in Bjorneset's guard and throws a big left but Bjorneset blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammarbekk wants to get up but he can't break Bjorneset's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Hammarbekk tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Bjorneset swivels and escapes.
Hammarbekk is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Bjorneset stuffs the takedown.
Bjorneset just misses with a punch to the body.
Bjorneset throws a jab when Hammarbekk was well out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hammarbekk has had enough of the clinch but Bjorneset keeps him there for the moment.

Bjorneset breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hammarbekk tries for a takedown but Bjorneset sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Vegard Bjorneset has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Hammarbekk.
Hammarbekk looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hammarbekk closes the distance and clinches up with Bjorneset, looking for a takedown. Hammarbekk pushes Bjorneset against the ropes but Bjorneset circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hammarbekk looks gassed!
Hammarbekk looks for a takedown but Bjorneset sprawls well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bjorneset closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Bjorneset just leaning against Hammarbekk, taking a breather.

Bjorneset ties up his opponent against the ropes and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Bjorneset no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Bjorneset working for a triangle but Hammarbekk defends it easily.
Hammarbekk is fighting to break Bjorneset's control of his arms but Bjorneset is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Bjorneset uses the ropes to get back to his feet.
Bjorneset throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bjorneset takes the fight into the clinch.

Bjorneset breaks the clinch.
Hammarbekk misses with a body kick.

Bjorneset has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hammarbekk wants to break free but Bjorneset has control.
Hammarbekk is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Bjorneset is keeping busy.
Bjorneset creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Bjorneset stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Bjorneset pulls Hammarbekk into guard.
Hammarbekk really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bjorneset. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Bjorneset wants to stand but Hammarbekk is controlling the position.
Bjorneset trying to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bjorneset lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Hammarbekk!
Bjorneset sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

Bjorneset looking for a guillotine from mount but Hammarbekk is having none of it.
Bjorneset tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vegard Bjorneset dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Hammarbekk looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Bjorneset gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Bjorneset breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hammarbekk moves away from the strike by Bjorneset.
Hammarbekk blocks a head kick by Bjorneset.
Bjorneset loads up on a big right hand but Hammarbekk slips the punch.
Bjorneset misses with a few strikes there.
Bjorneset thuds his shin into the meat of Hammarbekk's side.

Bjorneset has taken the fight to the clinch.

Bjorneset escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Bjorneset has managed to clinch.
Hammarbekk tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Bjorneset just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Bjorneset crunches a lovely knee into Hammarbekk's ribcage.
Hammarbekk is breathing heavily.
Bjorneset taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Bjorneset changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hammarbekk fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Bjorneset tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Bjorneset.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bjorneset looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bjorneset pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hammarbekk tries to close the distance and clinch but Bjorneset swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bjorneset fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hammarbekk tries to clinch there but Bjorneset circles away.
A punch combination from Bjorneset misses.
Hammarbekk throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hammarbekk closes the distance but Bjorneset moves to the side

and Bjorneset counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Bjorneset.
Hammarbekk wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hammarbekk drops down looking for an ankle pick but Bjorneset pulls his leg out and moves away.
Vegard Bjorneset has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Hammarbekk.
Hammarbekk blocks a head kick by Bjorneset.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Bjorneset ties up his opponent against the ropes and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Bjorneset no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bjorneset is on top in guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Bjorneset throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bjorneset is stalling in the full guard.
Bjorneset is standing up over Hammarbekk. Hammarbekk looks to escape but Bjorneset dives into side control.

Bjorneset has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Bjorneset has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bjorneset pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Bjorneset gets a clinch.
Bjorneset is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Hammarbekk is keeping busy.

Bjorneset breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bjorneset throws a head kick but Hammarbekk moves out of range.
Vegard Bjorneset is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Bjorneset clinches up against the ropes.

Hammarbekk pulls Bjorneset into guard.
Bjorneset working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Bjorneset decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Hammarbekk, up you get!
Bjorneset is looking to clinch but Hammarbekk is avoiding it.

Bjorneset gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Bjorneset breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hammarbekk uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bjorneset.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Bjorneset, right into the meat.
Hammarbekk takes a kick to the side of the head.

It looks like Frank Hammarbekk has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bjorneset clinches up with Hammarbekk and pushes him back against the ropes.
Hammarbekk is looking to break free of the clinch but Bjorneset has double underhooks.
Bjorneset leaning against his opponent.
Bjorneset lands an elbow inside that Hammarbekk shrugs off.
Bjorneset scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Bjorneset just leaning against Hammarbekk, taking a breather.
Bjorneset tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hammarbekk just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Hammarbekk wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Bjorneset breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bjorneset lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Bjorneset clinches up against the ropes.
Hammarbekk fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Hammarbekk manages to break the clinch.

Bjorneset clinches.
Hammarbekk goes for a takedown in the clinch but Bjorneset prevents it.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Bjorneset throws an elbow but misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hammarbekk is pressed up against the ropes. Bjorneset has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Hammarbekk down to the mat. Hammarbekk avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Hammarbekk with a poor takedown

and Bjorneset counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Hammarbekk tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Bjorneset smiles and moves away.
Hammarbekk shoots in looking for a takedown. Bjorneset tries to sprawl out of it but Hammarbekk keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Bjorneset manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vegard Bjorneset dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Frank Hammarbekk's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Hammarbekk lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Hammarbekk.

It looks like Vegard Bjorneset has been cut.
Hammarbekk fails to land the takedown.
Bjorneset falls off balance throwing a combination
and Hammarbekk counters with a body kick.

Bjorneset gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Hammarbekk tries for a takedown but Bjorneset manages to get underhooks.

Hammarbekk breaks the clinch.
Hammarbekk shoots and misses
and Bjorneset counters with a good low kick that Hammarbekk was not able to check.
Vegard Bjorneset has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Hammarbekk.
Nice body kick there by Bjorneset.
Vegard Bjorneset is winning the standup battle so far.
Bjorneset darts in trying to clinch
and Hammarbekk counters with a left and a right that stings Bjorneset.
Bjorneset tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Bjorneset - that will leave a mark!
Hammarbekk takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bjorneset throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bjorneset swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Hammarbekk counters by clinching up.
Hammarbekk jumps guard but Bjorneset stands there with Hammarbekk around his waist. Hammarbekk gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Bjorneset fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Bjorneset prevents the takedown attempt.
Hammarbekk wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Bjorneset is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Bjorneset has hold of one of Hammarbekk's legs. Hammarbekk is fighting the takedown attempt but Bjorneset gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Bjorneset postures up.
Bjorneset wants to control from the top but Hammarbekk keeps moving.
Hammarbekk is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bjorneset is controlling him.
Bjorneset is looking to stand up but Hammarbekk won't let him.
Bjorneset wants to control from the top but Hammarbekk keeps moving.
Bjorneset wanted to stand there but Hammarbekk had control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammarbekk trying to keep a closed guard but Bjorneset is proving a slippery customer.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Bjorneset takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Vegard Bjorneset is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Hammarbekk takes the fight into the clinch.
Hammarbekk lands an uppercut.
Hammarbekk wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hammarbekk is trying to stall.
Hammarbekk fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Bjorneset misses with a knee strike.
Bjorneset gets underhooks to prevent Hammarbekk's takedown attempt.
Bjorneset taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Hammarbekk is trying to break the clinch but Bjorneset has him pressed against the ropes.

Bjorneset manages to break the clinch.
Hammarbekk gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Bjorneset counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bjorneset with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Bjorneset breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hammarbekk blocks a head kick by Bjorneset.
Hammarbekk wants to clinch
and Bjorneset counters with a good low kick that Hammarbekk was not able to check.
Hammarbekk misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hammarbekk keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bjorneset.
Hammarbekk fails with the takedown

and Bjorneset counters by moving into the clinch.
Vegard Bjorneset has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Bjorneset goes for a takedown attempt but Hammarbekk pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Hammarbekk slips a jab and a cross from Bjorneset.
Hammarbekk fails to land with a series of punches.
Hammarbekk throws a sloppy head kick and Bjorneset moves out of range easily.
A head kick misses from Bjorneset.

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.
Hammarbekk misses with a takedown

and Bjorneset counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Bjorneset.
Hammarbekk digs a right hand into Bjorneset's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Bjorneset's gas tank.
Bjorneset prevents Hammarbekk from breaking the clinch.

Bjorneset breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bjorneset tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Hammarbekk paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hammarbekk fails with an attempt to clinch.
Bjorneset is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hammarbekk shoots in for a double leg but Bjorneset sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Bjorneset misses with a combination
and Hammarbekk counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hammarbekk fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Bjorneset throws a combination that misses
and Hammarbekk counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Bjorneset thinking.

Bjorneset moves into the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hammarbekk tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Frank Hammarbekk has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bjorneset is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hammarbekk is trying to break the clinch but Bjorneset has him pressed against the ropes.

Bjorneset breaks from the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vegard Bjorneset showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Bjorneset 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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vegard Bjorneset!