PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Caden Akergaard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Baller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Baller has chosen Helicopter, made of meat! as his entrance music. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Akergaard
vs
Baller

211 cm
31
265 lbs
16 - 12 - 0

225 cm
32
275 lbs
19 - 18 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
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 16 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Caden Akergaard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Paul Baller!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Arvi Lind and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baller looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Baller enables Akergaard to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Baller manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Akergaard sitting in guard here, content to control.
Baller has momentary wrist control but Akergaard slips an elbow through the middle.

Baller is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Akergaard is aware though and is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Akergaard pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Baller is keeping the position for now.

Baller working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Akergaard doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Akergaard manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Baller is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Akergaard defends well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Akergaard throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Baller keeping moving, preventing Akergaard from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akergaard wants to pass the guard but Baller is keeping the position.
Baller trying to keep a closed guard but Akergaard is proving a slippery customer.
Akergaard has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Akergaard pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Baller is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Akergaard is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Caden Akergaard.
Baller misses with an uppercut. Akergaard saw that one coming.
Baller closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Baller looks to score with a jab to the body but Akergaard is just out of range.
Baller misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Akergaard.
Akergaard throws a wild body kick that Baller sees coming a mile off.
Akergaard keeps Baller at a distance using the push kick.
A thudding body kick lands there by Baller!
Baller tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baller misses the shot to the body.
Akergaard looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Akergaard throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Paul Baller is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Baller scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Paul Baller seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Crunch! Baller slams his shin into Akergaard's torso.
Akergaard throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Akergaard is defended easily by Baller.

Akergaard feints and as Baller raises his hands in defense, Akergaard changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Baller looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Akergaard passes into side control.
Akergaard working the body and head with strikes.
Akergaard tries to move to mount but Baller blocks the move with his legs.
Baller is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Akergaard off and has taken his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akergaard tries to escape but Baller has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

Akergaard showing good submission defense here.
Akergaard covering up well under a barage of strikes.

Baller looking for the choke but no joy.
Baller trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akergaard avoids the strikes from Baller.
Baller trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Akergaard doesn't escape.
Akergaard just trying to survive but Baller is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Baller has got his arm under Akergaard's chin working for the choke… has he got it? It looks pretty tight! Oh! Akergaard has spun round into Baller's guard beautifully! Well done that man!
Akergaard looking to pass the guard.
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 Caden Akergaard will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Akergaard throws a push kick but Baller slaps the foot to one side.
Akergaard fails to land the takedown.
Akergaard slips under a jab from Baller.
Akergaard goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A slapping body kick lands there for Akergaard.
Baller misses with a hook
and Akergaard counters with a nice leg kick.
Akergaard shoots in but no luck this time.
Akergaard slips under a jab.
Baller bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Akergaard tries to land a front kick but Baller steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Akergaard thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Baller if he has to take too many more of those.
Baller works over Akergaard's head and body with a nice combination.
Baller lands a head kick!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Baller gets caught flat footed, as Akergaard shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Akergaard might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Akergaard chips away with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akergaard trying to control but Baller is working from the bottom.

Akergaard is posturing up here but Baller has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Akergaard tries to roll out but it's too tight and Akergaard has to tap! Slick submission there by Baller!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:24 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Paul Baller!
Paul Baller thanked the fans post fight for their support.