PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Henric Andersen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sthawy Sthowp (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Andersen comes into the arena with Sultans Of Swing blaring out of the sound system. Sthowp has chosen Blind Guardian - Into the Storn as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Andersen
vs
Sthowp

192 cm
27
180 lbs
14 - 9 - 0

180 cm
29
174 lbs
20 - 14 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Fast

***** Supertouch Clothing *****

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Henric Andersen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sthawy Sthowp!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Emerson Jorge and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sthowp closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Andersen did well to prevent Sthowp getting side control.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Andersen looking for submissions off his back.
Andersen punching from the bottom.
Andersen throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Sthowp seems to be working for a kimura but Andersen defends the submission attempt.
Andersen is trying to maintain the position but Sthowp is very close to passing his half guard.
Andersen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sthowp thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Andersen's head.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Andersen gets back to full guard.

Andersen looking for a guillotine here but Sthowp defends easily.
Sthowp trying to control the position from guard on top but Andersen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sthowp throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sthowp has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Andersen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sthowp can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Andersen has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Andersen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Sthowp drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sthowp jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Sthowp prevents Andersen from getting back to his feet.
Sthowp trying to control but Andersen is working from the bottom.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Sthowp keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Andersen's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Andersen is looking for a triangle but Sthowp pushes his legs off easily.
Andersen throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sthowp accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Andersen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Sthowp scoring with some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Andersen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sthowp.

Andersen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sthowp can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Sthowp avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Andersen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Andersen striking off his back but it's not causing Sthowp any problems.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sthowp won't allow Andersen to sweep him here.
Sthowp missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Sthowp got a little sloppy there for a moment and Andersen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sthowp has managed to get both his arms back between Andersen's legs - danger averted.
Sthowp throws a big elbow that misses.
Sthowp lands a couple of elbows.
Andersen is looking to stand back up but Sthowp counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Andersen.
Sthowp looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Andersen is refusing to be controlled, as Sthowp sits in half guard.
Andersen is trying to stand.

Andersen is defending against the submission attempts here by Sthowp.
Sthowp winds up and cracks Andersen with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sthowp lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Sthowp lands strikes from half guard.
Andersen is looking to improve his position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sthowp trying to control the pace.

Andersen looking for submissions off his back.
Andersen trying to control but Sthowp postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sthowp lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Andersen is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sthowp pulls his head out easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Sthawy Sthowp will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sthowp misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Sthowp clinches up with Andersen and pushes him back against the cage.
Sthowp can't find room to land a body shot as Andersen controls the action.
Andersen prevents a body shot from Sthowp.
Andersen letting Sthowp take a breather here.

Andersen drags the fight down to the ground.
Sthowp working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Andersen's head.
Sthowp keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Andersen's head.
Sthowp with a flurry of punches that miss.
Andersen looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sthowp is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Sthowp wants to control from the top but Andersen keeps moving.

Andersen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sthowp is aware though and is defending well.
Sthowp postures up.
Andersen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Sthawy Sthowp has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sthowp works over Andersen with some ground and pound from guard.
Andersen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sthowp looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Andersen has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Sthowp is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Andersen.
Andersen is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sthowp is working Andersen over with some ground and pound from side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sthowp in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Sthowp is looking to take a break and control but Andersen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sthowp throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Sthowp wants to lay and pray for a moment but Andersen keeps working.
Andersen looking for a sweep but Sthowp has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Sthowp trying to control but Andersen is having none of it.
Andersen wants to hold on but Sthowp pushes him away.
Andersen taking shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andersen is in all sorts of trouble here.
Sthowp landing punches.
Sthowp takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Sthowp avoids the attempt from Andersen to control.
Andersen throwing hammer fists to the chest of Sthowp. What's that going to do exactly?
Andersen working to try and regain half guard.
Sthowp postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Andersen looks a forlorn figure.
Andersen wants to hold on but Sthowp pushes him away.
Sthowp looking to control but Andersen is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Sthowp lands a big elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sthowp fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Andersen is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Sthowp is landing with some decent strikes but Andersen is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Sthowp lands a big shot there that rocks Andersen but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Sthowp punishing his opponent with strikes.
Sthowp with the ground and pound from mount.
Sthowp scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Sthowp avoids the attempt from Andersen to control.
Andersen slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Sthowp trying to control the action but Andersen is working from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sthowp is thwarting Andersen's attempts to control the position.
Sthowp is nestled in close to Andersen, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sthawy Sthowp showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Sthowp tries to close the distance and clinch up but Andersen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sthawy Sthowp seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Andersen rushes Sthowp and presses him up against the cage.

Andersen decides to pull guard.

Andersen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Sthowp trying to control the position from guard on top but Andersen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sthowp throws a big elbow that misses.
Sthowp with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sthowp slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Sthowp postures up in Andersen's guard and throws a big left but Andersen blocks it.
Sthowp working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Andersen's head.
Andersen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sthowp wants to control from the top but Andersen keeps moving.
Sthowp lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Sthowp cracks Andersen with a solid left hand.

Andersen is looking for a triangle but Sthowp pushes his legs off easily.

Andersen looking for a guillotine here but Sthowp defends easily.

Andersen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sthowp can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sthowp lands a couple of digs.
Sthowp is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Sthowp postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sthowp lands a couple of elbows.

Andersen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sthowp is aware though and is defending well.
Sthowp trying to control the position from guard on top but Andersen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sthowp is in close to Andersen's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Sthowp trying to control the position from guard on top but Andersen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Andersen will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
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!

Andersen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sthowp in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sthowp seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Sthowp cracks Andersen with a solid left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andersen is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sthowp in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sthowp lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Sthowp trying to control the position from guard on top but Andersen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sthowp distracts Andersen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Sthowp trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sthowp throws a big right hand that misses.
Andersen has control of Sthowp's left arm, preventing Sthowp from doing any damage.
Andersen keeping moving, preventing Sthowp from controlling successfully.
Andersen looking to control.

Andersen looking for a guillotine here but Sthowp defends easily.
Andersen tries to strike from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sthowp passes Andersen's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Andersen is trying to stand up here but Sthowp is controlling him well.
Andersen tries to get to full guard but Sthowp has control of the leg.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sthowp is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Sthowp passes to full mount!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sthowp putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Sthowp with shots to the head and body - Andersen looks very uncomfortable down there.
Sthowp is landing with some decent strikes but Andersen is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sthawy Sthowp really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sthowp is looking to clinch.
Sthowp tries to close the distance and clinch but Andersen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Andersen pushes Sthowp up against the cage in a clinch.

Andersen breaks the clinch.
Andersen stuffs the takedown attempt from Sthowp. Sthowp gets slowly back to his feet.

Andersen moves into the clinch.
Andersen wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Sthowp fails to pull guard.
Andersen tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sthowp just stands there and leans against the cage.

Andersen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Andersen rushes Sthowp and presses him up against the cage.
Andersen drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sthowp pulls his leg out and moves away.
No luck for Sthowp with that takedown attempt.
Henric Andersen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sthawy Sthowp.
Sthowp fails in his attempt to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sthowp looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Sthowp darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Sthowp seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Andersen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sthowp is looking to stall here but Andersen recovers full guard.
Andersen is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Andersen is trying to work for a kimura but Sthowp is defending well.
Sthowp trying to control but Andersen postures up.

Andersen is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sthowp is trying to maintain the position but Andersen is very close to passing his half guard.
Sthowp is pressing down on Andersen's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Andersen wants to get up but he can't break Sthowp's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Andersen decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Sthowp, up you get!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sthowp jabs Andersen to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Sthowp closes this distance looking for a takedown but Andersen circles away.
Andersen swats away the attempt to clinch by Sthowp.
Sthowp tries for a takedown but Andersen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sthowp is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

Andersen clinches with his opponent.
Sthowp tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Sthowp scores a nice knee to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sthowp keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Andersen's efforts to push away.

Andersen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Henric Andersen will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Sthowp tries to clinch but Andersen moves out of range.

Sthowp gets tackled into the cage by Andersen. Andersen maintains the clinch.
Sthowp throws a knee to the head but misses.

Andersen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sthowp shoots in but no luck this time.
Sthowp is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sthowp misses with a takedown attempt - Andersen sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Andersen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Sthowp drives through with a takedown into Andersen's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Sthowp is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Andersen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sthowp.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Andersen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Sthowp trying to control the position from guard on top but Andersen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Andersen keeping full guard, as Sthowp tries to pass.
Sthowp throws a big right hand that misses.
Sthowp throwing strikes but missing.

Andersen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sthowp defends it easily.
Sthowp working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Andersen lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Sthowp!

Andersen looking to isolate an arm here. Sthowp doesn't see it coming and as Andersen extends the arm, he's forced to tap out! Nice submission by Andersen!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:23 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Henric Andersen!
Henric Andersen is the new welterweight champion!
In his post fight interview, Henric Andersen started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.