PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rolad Kjeldsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dean Pope (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kjeldsson
vs
Pope

190 cm
22
145 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

176 cm
27
152 lbs
7 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Good chin

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rolad Kjeldsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 1, fighting out of New York, Dean Pope!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Joseph Jones and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pope moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
A head kick misses from Kjeldsson.
Kjeldsson misses with a wild combination.
Kjeldsson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Kjeldsson fails to land with a series of punches.
Pope throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kjeldsson's waist but Kjeldsson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Pope off to one side.
Pope shoots in for a takedown but Kjeldsson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kjeldsson fakes the leg kick and cracks Pope in the body.
Pope has a takedown stuffed.
Rolad Kjeldsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dean Pope.
Kjeldsson fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Kjeldsson cracks Pope with an open hand slap.
Kjeldsson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Pope.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kjeldsson throws a right and a left that both miss.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Pope.
Kjeldsson tries to land a front kick but Pope steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A left and a right from Kjeldsson both land. Nice combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pope shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kjeldsson sprawls well. Kjeldsson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Pope gets slowly back to his feet.
Kjeldsson slaps away a takedown attempt from Pope, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kjeldsson scores with a three punch combo!
Pope lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Kjeldsson misses with a few strikes there.

Pope gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Pope drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kjeldsson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kjeldsson throws a nice looking combination but Pope bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Pope fails with the takedown
and Kjeldsson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pope fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Pope will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kjeldsson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Pope tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kjeldsson swivels and escapes.
Pope looks winded!
Pope dodges the punch combination from Kjeldsson.
Kjeldsson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Pope looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kjeldsson stuffs the takedown.
Kjeldsson lands a jab-cross combination.
Pope misses with the combination.
Kjeldsson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Pope with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kjeldsson to score with a decent uppercut.
Kjeldsson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kjeldsson throws a one two combo.

Pope is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Kjeldsson misses.
Pope is still on wobbly legs! Can Kjeldsson finish him?
Kjeldsson scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Kjeldsson works Pope's body with a nice hook.
Kjeldsson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pope.
Pope shoots in looking for a takedown but Kjeldsson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Pope's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Pope seems to have recovered his senses.
Kjeldsson connects with a body shot that sends Pope's belly button to the back.
Pope throws a right and a left that both miss.
Pope takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kjeldsson throws a series of punches but Pope moves out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Pope. Those never looked like landing.
Kjeldsson falls off balance throwing a combination

and Pope counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Kjeldsson's guard now.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Kjeldsson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pope postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Kjeldsson is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Pope, into his guard.

Pope escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kjeldsson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kjeldsson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rolad Kjeldsson dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Pope showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kjeldsson.
No joy there for Pope, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Pope moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Pope displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kjeldsson throws out the jab.
Pope shoots in and drives through. Kjeldsson sprawls well.
Kjeldsson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Pope shoots in for a takedown but Kjeldsson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kjeldsson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rolad Kjeldsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dean Pope.
Kjeldsson throws a series of punches but Pope moves out of range.
Kjeldsson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pope moves away.
Kjeldsson lands a glancing blow to the side of Pope's head.

Pope bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Pope is breathing heavily.
Kjeldsson is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kjeldsson keeping control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pope trying to pass the guard but Kjeldsson defending well.
Kjeldsson is looking to control Pope's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kjeldsson avoid being mounted?
Kjeldsson has his hands clasped together around Pope's back. He's all about the action.
Kjeldsson is looking for a sweep. Pope is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Rolad Kjeldsson just wasn't active enough.
Pope shoots for a takedown but Kjeldsson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kjeldsson stuffs the takedown attempt from Pope. Pope gets slowly back to his feet.
Kjeldsson is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Pope with that takedown attempt.
Pope fails to land with a series of punches.
Kjeldsson jabs Pope right on the nose. Pope blinks but takes it well.
Pope will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Pope closes the distance and clinches up with Kjeldsson, looking for a takedown. Pope pushes Kjeldsson against the cage but Kjeldsson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Good exchange - Kjeldsson coming out on top.
Pope is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kjeldsson lands a right hook to the body.
Rolad Kjeldsson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pope looks to throw the jab but Kjeldsson is out of range.
Kjeldsson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pope with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kjeldsson counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Pope thinking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kjeldsson throws a series of punches but Pope avoids them all with ease.
Kjeldsson throws a combination. Pope tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Pope takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Kjeldsson cracks Pope with a good jab.
Pope gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kjeldsson counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kjeldsson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Pope takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Pope is defended easily by Kjeldsson.
Kjeldsson moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Kjeldsson lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Pope on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Pope shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kjeldsson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Pope stopping the sweep attempt from Kjeldsson.
Pope throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kjeldsson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Pope lands a couple of digs.
Pope postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kjeldsson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Pope thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Pope trying to control the position from guard on top but Kjeldsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kjeldsson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kjeldsson connects with a crisp jab.
Pope has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Pope tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kjeldsson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Pope somewhat.
Kjeldsson lands a glancing blow to the side of Pope's head.
Pope tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kjeldsson swivels and escapes.
Pope shoots in looking for a takedown. Kjeldsson tries to sprawl out of it but Pope keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kjeldsson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rolad Kjeldsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dean Pope.
Kjeldsson moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Pope swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Pope takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
No luck for Pope with that takedown attempt.
Pope takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kjeldsson uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kjeldsson digs a good hook to Pope's body.
Kjeldsson feints a jab promting Pope to slip. Kjeldsson then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Pope slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Kjeldsson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Pope circles away quickly and effectively.
Kjeldsson lands a nice shot that snaps Pope's head back.
Rolad Kjeldsson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pope shoots in but Kjeldsson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kjeldsson connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Pope's hands.
Kjeldsson swinging wildly here.
Kjeldsson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
The fight stays on the outside here - Pope looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Pope uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kjeldsson.
Rolad Kjeldsson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kjeldsson misses with the combination.
Kjeldsson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Pope avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kjeldsson sizes up Pope with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Kjeldsson throws a series of punches but Pope avoids them all with ease.
Pope misses with a takedown attempt - Kjeldsson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Pope shoots in for a takedown but Kjeldsson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Pope fails to land the takedown.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kjeldsson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kjeldsson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Pope looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kjeldsson throws a right and a left that Pope avoids nicely.
Kjeldsson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Pope.
Pope will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kjeldsson lands the left hand.
Pope showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kjeldsson.
No joy there for Kjeldsson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Pope gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kjeldsson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kjeldsson lands a nice shot to the body.
Kjeldsson cracks Pope with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Pope misses with a takedown attempt - Kjeldsson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kjeldsson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A nice combination there by Kjeldsson.
Pope misses with a two punch combination.
Kjeldsson works Pope's body with a nice hook.
Dean Pope has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kjeldsson scores with a jab. Pope acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Kjeldsson is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Pope.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kjeldsson scores with a jab to the body.
Left hook, right uppercut from Kjeldsson.
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!
Pope misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rolad Kjeldsson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kjeldsson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rolad Kjeldsson!
Rolad Kjeldsson made sure to give a little speech post fight, saying 'Blodet av mina fiender kommer att fortsätta att driva min framgång. Du bär vittne till min uppstigning. Guttentag mina vänner.'.