PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksandar Dobren (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eric Ericsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Eric Ericsson will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Dobren
vs
Ericsson

195 cm
18
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

225 cm
22
265 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Poweful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Aleksandar Dobren!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Eric Ericsson!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Leandro Rodrigues and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dobren lands with an uppercut that bounces Ericsson off the cage and back into rage.
Ericsson looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!

Dobren drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Dobren stands and steps away. Ericsson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Dobren lands a jab-cross combination.

Dobren shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Dobren advances to half guard.

Dobren is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Ericsson is trying to control but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Dobren is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ericsson defends it well.
Dobren looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Ericsson tries to roll over but Dobren keeps him under control.
Dobren wants to stand up but Ericsson has a hold of him and won't allow it.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ericsson slips a jab and a cross from Dobren.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dobren looks to land a combination but Ericsson avoids it well.

Dobren shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Dobren showed some decent athleticism there.
Ericsson is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Ericsson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Dobren's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Dobren's back!
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
You can see the frustration on Dobren's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Dobren tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Dobren is wriggling around trying to escape.
Ericsson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Dobren keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Dobren tries to hold on but Ericsson pushes him away.
Dobren could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dobren really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Ericsson fails to move to back control.
Dobren is trying to escape the mount.
Ericsson controlling from the full mount.
Dobren is in all sorts of trouble here.
Ericsson controlling the pace for now.
Ericsson wants to control the pace but Dobren is squirming around nicely.
Dobren tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Dobren wants to hold on but Ericsson pushes him away.
Dobren is looking to improve his position but Ericsson isn't that keen on the idea.
Ericsson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Dobren is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dobren is working to get back to half guard.
Dobren is squirming around, avoiding Ericsson's attempts to control the action.
Dobren is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Ericsson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Dobren gets back to half guard.
Ericsson is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Dobren is in trouble now - Ericsson has advanced to mount!
Dobren tries to hold on but Ericsson postures up.
Ericsson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Let's hope that Ericsson has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Ericsson wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ericsson tries to control but Dobren wriggling away.
Ericsson controlling from the full mount.

Despite being in the dominant position, Eric Ericsson just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Dobren drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Dobren in the domination position with Ericsson hanging on.
Ericsson is trying to control Dobren's posture but Dobren avoids it.
Ericsson regains half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dobren is looking to take a break and control but Ericsson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ericsson wants to control but Dobren is keeping busy.
Ericsson controlling the position well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandar Dobren dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Ericsson dodges the punch combination from Dobren.
Aleksandar Dobren is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ericsson shoots and misses

and Dobren counters with a shoot takedown. Ericsson fights it but they end up in guard.
Dobren trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ericsson has control of Dobren's left arm, preventing Dobren from doing any damage.
Ericsson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Dobren wants to pass the guard but Ericsson is keeping the position.
Aleksandar Dobren overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ericsson seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Despite being in the dominant position, Eric Ericsson just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Dobren connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ericsson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Dobren counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Dobren wants to work for an arm triangle but Ericsson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Dobren trying to pass the guard but Ericsson defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dobren is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ericsson defends it well.
Dobren wants to control but Ericsson is keeping him busy.

Dobren is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ericsson defends it well.
Ericsson is holding on to half guard well.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Ericsson is not content to let Dobren control the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Dobren drives through with a takedown into guard.
Dobren wants to control from the top but Ericsson keeps moving.

Dobren drops back looking for a leg! Ericsson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ericsson manages to kick Dobren off! Dobren jumps back into Ericsson's guard.
Ericsson pulls Dobren in close to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ericsson trying to keep a closed guard but Dobren is proving a slippery customer.
Dobren has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Dobren trying to control the position from guard on top but Ericsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ericsson lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Dobren!
Ericsson sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Dobren is wriggling around trying to escape.
Ericsson is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Dobren is in real trouble.
Dobren turns into Ericsson and is now in his guard.
Ericsson being controlled here, momentarily.
Dobren wants to pass the guard but Ericsson is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dobren trying to control but Ericsson is working from the bottom.
Dobren pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ericsson is keeping the position for now.

Dobren is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Ericsson looking to control.
Dobren sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Dobren tries to free his leg and advance position but Ericsson is retaining full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Dobren closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Ericsson to the mat! Ericsson manages to get full guard.
Dobren stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ericsson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Dobren wants to control from the top but Ericsson keeps moving.
Dobren tries to free his leg and advance position but Ericsson is retaining full guard.
Dobren being controlled here momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dobren is looking to stand up but Ericsson won't let him.
Ericsson working a defensive guard here.
Dobren might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Dobren drops back looking for a leg! Ericsson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ericsson manages to kick Dobren off! Dobren jumps back into Ericsson's guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Dobren closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Dobren thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Ericsson struggling a bit here.
Dobren taking a breather here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ericsson struggling a bit here.
Ericsson is not content to let Dobren control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandar Dobren dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Dobren feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Dobren trying to control the position from guard on top but Ericsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dobren pushing down on Ericsson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Dobren trying to control from half guard but Ericsson is working away.
Dobren wants to pass to mount but Ericsson is defending the position.
Dobren tries to stand but can't do so whilst Ericsson controls his leg.
Ericsson preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

Dobren is looking for a kimura here.
Dobren wants to control but Ericsson is keeping him busy.
Ericsson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ericsson trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ericsson shoots and misses

and Dobren counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Ericsson's guard now.
Dobren wants to stand but Ericsson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Dobren trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Dobren trying to control the position from guard on top but Ericsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dobren trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Dobren stopping the sweep attempt from Ericsson.
Ericsson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ericsson is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Dobren pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ericsson is keeping the position for now.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A lazy left from Dobren finds it's target.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Dobren.
Ericsson is trying to improve his position.
Ericsson sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Dobren wants to control but Ericsson is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dobren is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ericsson is just riding it out for now. Dobren eventually gives up the hold.

Dobren decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Dobren looks to land a combination. Ericsson sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Dobren shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Dobren showed some decent athleticism there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dobren seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ericsson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Dobren tries to pass to full mount but Ericsson defends it.
Ericsson preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Dobren wants to control but Ericsson is keeping him busy.

Dobren wants to work for an arm triangle but Ericsson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Ericsson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Dobren's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Dobren's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dobren is really stuck here.
Dobren trying to control the position but Ericsson manages to sink in the hooks.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dobren is trying to stand back up.
Dobren 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.
Dobren rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Dobren wants to get back to his feet.
Ericsson is trying to control the action in half guard but Dobren is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.

Dobren drives through with a takedown into guard.
Ericsson controlling Dobren's posture.
Ericsson is trying to control the position but Dobren postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ericsson keeping moving, preventing Dobren from controlling successfully.
Dobren trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ericsson is trying to keep Dobren in close.
Dobren wants to get up but he can't break Ericsson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.

Dobren fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Ericsson sprawls well initially but Dobren persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Dobren is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Eric Ericsson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ericsson trying to control here.

Dobren is working for a kimura but Ericsson is defending it quite comfortably.
Ericsson desperately trying to maintain half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ericsson tries to get to full guard but Dobren has control of the leg.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aleksandar Dobren showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Dobren 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aleksandar Dobren!