PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Akio Fox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pehr Erik Liljestrand (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Fox
vs
Erik Liljestrand

182 cm
21
190 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

190 cm
18
175 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

Unique Wear and Custom Design

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Akio Fox!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pehr Erik Liljestrand!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Anni Minnemäki and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sloppy strikes from Fox. Those never looked like landing.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Liljestrand.
Nice cross by Fox.
Fox throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Liljestrand feints and then cracks Fox's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Fox down.
Fox takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Liljestrand lets loose with a powerful body kick. Fox will feel that in the morning.
No joy there for Fox, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Liljestrand tries to clinch but Fox is having none of it.
Liljestrand throws a quick inside leg kick.
Liljestrand connects with an inside leg kick.
Liljestrand moves out of range of the body kick from Fox.
Liljestrand lands a head kick. Fox smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Fox rushes Liljestrand and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Fox holding his opponent close, against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Fox just misses with a elbow thrown towards Liljestrand's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Liljestrand breaks from the clinch.
Fox misses with a looping right.
Pehr Erik Liljestrand seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fox looks to score with a jab to the body but Liljestrand is just out of range.
Fox thows a left - swing and a miss!
Liljestrand fails with an attempt to clinch.
Liljestrand throws a body punch but Fox moves out of range.
Fox misses with an uppercut.
Fox lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

It looks like Pehr Erik Liljestrand has been cut.
Fox avoids the head kick by Liljestrand.
Liljestrand lands a front kick.
Liljestrand misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Liljestrand misses with a head kick.
Fox throws a body punch but Liljestrand moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fox fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Fox avoids a kick to the body.
Liljestrand throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Liljestrand throws a body kick that misses.
Liljestrand looking to land some kicks to the body here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A nice inside leg kick there by Liljestrand. That's going to slow Fox down.

Liljestrand moves into the clinch.
Fox misses with a punch on the inside.
Fox stalling against the cage.
Fox misses with a punch on the inside.

Liljestrand escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Liljestrand fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Fox looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Fox clinches up with Liljestrand and pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fox wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Fox is pushing Liljestrand up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Liljestrand wants to break the clinch but can't.
Fox throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Liljestrand blocks it with crossed arms.
Liljestrand wants to break free but Fox has control.

Liljestrand pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Fox scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Liljestrand lands a nice looking kick to the body. Fox takes a step back to recover.
Fox blocks a head kick by Liljestrand.
Liljestrand bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Liljestrand throws a head kick that misses.
Liljestrand goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fox misses with an uppercut
and Liljestrand counters with an inside leg kick.
Liljestrand throws a nice head kick!
Fox sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Liljestrand throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Fox goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Liljestrand slips under a jab from Fox.
Fox smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Liljestrand misses the body punch
and Fox counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Liljestrand tries a head kick but it misses.
Fox throws a hook to the side of Liljestrand's head but Liljestrand sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Fox stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Liljestrand.
Liljestrand scores with a leg kick.
Liljestrand thuds his shin into the meat of Fox's side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Pehr Erik Liljestrand will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Pehr Erik Liljestrand's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Donk. Liljestrand catches Fox right on the button with a cross.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Fox crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Liljestrand - the referee stops the clock and Fox gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Liljestrand. Fox manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Liljestrand tries to land a front kick but Fox steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Fox connects with a solid leg kick.
Liljestrand fails in his attempt to clinch.
Liljestrand tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fox swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Fox throws a leg kick
and Liljestrand counters with a nice body kick.
Fox looks to land a left hand but Liljestrand moved out of range nicely.
Fox tries to clinch up but Liljestrand circles away and keeps his distance.
Liljestrand uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Fox has time to react.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Liljestrand. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Liljestrand lands a nice looking kick to the body. Fox takes a step back to recover.
Liljestrand turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Liljestrand throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Fox.
Fox throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Liljestrand counters with a nice kick to the body.
Fox walks forward, straight into a front kick from Liljestrand.
Liljestrand scores with a head kick.
Fox will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Liljestrand delivers a nice body kick.
Fox avoids the head kick by Liljestrand.
Fox throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Liljestrand connects with an inside leg kick.
Liljestrand throws a sloppy head kick and Fox moves out of range easily.
Liljestrand slips under a jab from Fox.
Nice shot by Liljestrand.
A left and a right from Liljestrand both land. Nice combination.
Liljestrand lands a nice looking kick to the body. Fox takes a step back to recover.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Liljestrand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Liljestrand pushes Fox away with a front kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Liljestrand, right into the meat.
Fox swings for the body but Liljestrand moves out of range.
Fox throws a shot from downtown. Liljestrand moves away and avoids it.
Pehr Erik Liljestrand seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A telegraphed right hand from Fox misses the target.
Liljestrand wants to clinch up but Fox keeps it at a distance.
Liljestrand looks for the body kick but Fox saw that one coming.
Liljestrand lets loose with a powerful body kick. Fox will feel that in the morning.
Liljestrand looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Liljestrand looks to land a body kick but Fox moved away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liljestrand looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Liljestrand fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Fox.
Fox throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Fox dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Fox has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Liljestrand.
Liljestrand throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nice body kick from Liljestrand.
A head kick from Liljestrand lands but Fox takes it in his stride.
A low kick from Fox is predictable there
and Liljestrand finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Fox tries to clinch but Liljestrand moves out of range.
Liljestrand lands the left hand.
Fox moves out of range of the body kick.
Liljestrand looks to land a combination but Fox avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fox throws a leg kick but Liljestrand moved away.
Liljestrand wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fox looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Fox misses with a straight right.
Liljestrand misses with a head kick.
Liljestrand looks for the body kick but Fox saw that one coming.
Liljestrand plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Fox tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Liljestrand misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
An inside leg kick lands from Liljestrand.
Fox throws a combination that misses
enabling Liljestrand to counter with a crisp jab.
A solid body kick from Liljestrand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pehr Erik Liljestrand showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Pehr Erik Liljestrand's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Fox throws a front kick aimed at Liljestrand's knee but Liljestrand avoids it well.
Fox throws a nice looking combination but Liljestrand bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A lazy left from Liljestrand finds it's target.
Fox avoids the body shot from Liljestrand.
Liljestrand has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A jab from Liljestrand does it's job there.
A jab from Fox misses.
Liljestrand lands with a kick to the ribs.
Fox misses with a hook to the body
and Liljestrand counters with a good, hard body kick but Fox shrugs it off.
Fox looks to land a left hand but Liljestrand moved out of range nicely.
Liljestrand misses with an attempted mid kick.
A head kick misses from Fox.
Liljestrand lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
The fight stays on the outside here - Liljestrand looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fox throws a body kick that misses.
Fox tries to clinch up.
A slapping body kick lands there for Liljestrand.
Fox tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Liljestrand fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Fox on the side of the head.
Liljestrand displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Fox throws out the jab.
Fox takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Fox misses with a low kick.
Liljestrand lands a nice leg kick that just misses Fox's sensitive parts.
Liljestrand tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Fox lands a jab.
Fox misses with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liljestrand lands a nice looking body kick.
Liljestrand uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fox.
A thudding body kick lands there by Liljestrand!
Liljestrand throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Liljestrand cracks the inside of Fox's front leg.
Liljestrand lands a high kick!
Liljestrand lands a nice leg kick that just misses Fox's sensitive parts.
Fox tries to close the distance and clinch but Liljestrand swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Some bone on bone action there as Fox checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Liljestrand tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Liljestrand scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liljestrand thumps Fox with a low kick.
Liljestrand throws a push kick but Fox slaps the foot to one side.
Fox checks a leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Liljestrand.
Liljestrand buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Liljestrand.
Liljestrand moves out of range of the body kick.
Liljestrand checks a low kick from Fox.
Liljestrand keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fox.
Liljestrand lands with a slapping head kick.
Fox avoids the head kick by Liljestrand.
Fox cracks Liljestrand with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fox ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Fox throws out a leg kick but Liljestrand moves out of range and Fox only half commits.
Liljestrand misses with a head kick.
Fox fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Liljestrand manages to avoid it.
Fox tries to clinch up.
Fox throws a head kick that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fox chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Liljestrand can pounce on him.
Akio Fox has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Liljestrand throws a nice head kick!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Liljestrand wants to clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fox walks into a left hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pehr Erik Liljestrand comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Liljestrand winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pehr Erik Liljestrand!