PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ron Paul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jon Erik Andersen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Ron Paul has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Ron Paul seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Paul
vs
Erik Andersen

172 cm
25
135 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

159 cm
31
137 lbs
11 - 9 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Great elbows
Insanely flexible

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

New World Order Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ron Paul!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jon Erik Andersen!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Illya Tyunina and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Paul drives through and clinches with Andersen against the cage.
Andersen missing with knees to the body.
Paul landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Andersen missing with knees to the body.
Paul creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Andersen's defenses.
Paul has Andersen pressed against the cage, preventing Andersen from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Andersen throws a knee to the head but misses.
Paul keeps control of Andersen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Andersen landing knees to the head.
Andersen is trying to maintain a safe position but Paul gets an underhook and turns Andersen into the cage.
Andersen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Andersen tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Paul smiles and moves away.
Jon Erik Andersen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Paul moves into the clinch successfully.
Paul landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Andersen tries to pull guard but Paul forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Paul taking a breather.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Andersen trying to land knees to the body.
Andersen misses with a body punch.
Nice elbow from Paul.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Paul gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Paul is looking for a kimura but Andersen is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Paul to get the leverage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Andersen tries to get to full guard but Paul has control of the leg.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Paul is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Andersen sees it coming and defends easily.

Andersen actively working from the bottom here.
Andersen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Andersen regains full guard. Nicely done.
Paul passes into half guard.
Paul will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Paul seems to be looking for submissions.

Paul wants to work for an arm triangle but Andersen is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Andersen is looking to improve his position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Paul lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Paul wants to control but Andersen is keeping him busy.
Andersen wants to get back to full guard.
Andersen is trying to maintain the position but Paul is very close to passing his half guard.
Paul is trying to control. Andersen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Andersen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Paul's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Paul's back!

Andersen working for a choke but Paul is defending well.

Andersen has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Paul's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Paul is working hard here to advance position.
Andersen lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Andersen patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Andersen has the hooks in. Paul is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Andersen patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Andersen controlling well, preventing Paul from escaping the position.
Paul tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Andersen lands a big elbow.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Paul is looking to improve his position but Andersen isn't that keen on the idea.

Andersen is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Paul to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Paul shrugs it off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paul is desperately trying to improve his position but Andersen has a good base and remains in mount.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Andersen lands a big elbow.
Paul is wriggling around trying to escape.
Paul wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Andersen is landing with some decent strikes but Paul is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Paul is trying desperately to improve position.
Andersen tries to control but Paul wriggling away.
Andersen fails to move to back control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Andersen goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Paul turns into him and now he's in Andersen's guard.
Paul postures up in Andersen's guard and throws a big left but Andersen blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jon Erik 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.

Paul fails with a takedown attempt.
Paul slips under a jab.
Andersen listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Andersen ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Andersen throws a jab but it's blocked by Paul.
Paul slips a jab from Andersen.
Paul uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Andersen.
Paul checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Andersen swings for the body but Paul moves out of range.
Paul throws a sloppy head kick and Andersen moves out of range easily.
Andersen walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Paul checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Paul walks into a left hand.
Paul defending well as Andersen loads up on a big left hand.

Paul manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Andersen on his heels. He'll look to pass Andersen's guard now, I'm sure.
Paul trying to control but Andersen is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Paul accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Paul tries to free his leg and advance position but Andersen is retaining full guard.

Andersen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Paul can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Paul sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Andersen's guard.
Ground and pound from Paul.
Andersen makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Andersen.
Andersen looking to control.

Paul thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Paul trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Paul won't allow Andersen to sweep him here.
Paul trying to control the position from guard on top but Andersen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paul won't allow Andersen to sweep him here.

Andersen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Paul gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Paul sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Andersen's guard.
Paul is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Andersen!
Andersen is trying to escape the mount.
Andersen sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Andersen wants to improve his position but Paul is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andersen is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Paul wants to take a breather but Andersen is having none of it.
Andersen is looking to improve his position.

Andersen actively working from the bottom here.
Andersen is breathing heavily.

Paul is looking for a kimura here.
Paul is looking to advance position but Andersen won't allow it.
Paul wants to control but Andersen is keeping him busy.
Paul throwing shots but Andersen is blocking nicely.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Paul is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Andersen makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Andersen.
Andersen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Andersen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Paul advances to half guard.
Paul wants to pass the guard but Andersen is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jon Erik Andersen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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!

A low kick from Andersen misses

and Paul counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Paul.
Paul lands an elbow that stopped Andersen in his tracks for a moment.
Paul with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Paul dodges an elbow strike from Andersen.
Andersen tries to work over Paul's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Andersen tries a knee to the head but Paul blocks it.
Paul tries to land knees in the clinch but Andersen avoids the damage to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Andersen fails to land.
Paul lands a damaging elbow.
Paul lands an elbow inside that Andersen shrugs off.
Andersen is looking to control Paul's arms but Paul gets an underhook and turns him. Now Andersen has his back to the cage.
Paul putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Andersen in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Paul lands an elbow just above Andersen 's eye.
Paul taking a breather.
Andersen landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Paul obliges.
Paul misses with an elbow strike.
Andersen tries to stall but Paul uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paul on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Paul tries to land a knee to the head but Andersen blocks with his arms.
Paul misses with a knee to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Paul.
Paul managing to block the knees to the body from Andersen.
Ron Paul has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Andersen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Paul avoids it.
Andersen takes an elbow to the forehead.
Nice elbow from Paul.
Paul lands an elbow that stopped Andersen in his tracks for a moment.
Andersen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Andersen is trying to push Paul away but Paul has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Paul blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Andersen struggles to land a body shot inside as Paul controls his hands.
Andersen is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Paul is defending well for now.
Andersen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Paul.
Andersen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Paul lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Andersen wants to break the clinch but can't.
Paul is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Andersen avoiding damage as Paul throws knees to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Paul obliges.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Andersen misses with a body punch.
Andersen missing with knees to the body.
Andersen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Paul avoids it.
Paul lands a nice elbow.
Paul has Andersen pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Andersen manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Andersen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Paul avoids it.
Paul comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Andersen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Paul.
Andersen tries to work over Paul's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Paul is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Andersen can't fight it off and eventually Paul manages to take the fight to the floor. Andersen looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Andersen has his foot on Paul's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Paul works his way back into a safe position though.
Jon Erik Andersen has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Andersen has his foot on Paul's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Paul works his way back into a safe position though.
Paul pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Andersen is keeping the position for now.

Andersen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Paul passes into half guard.
Paul moves into full mount! Andersen won't be happy about that!
Andersen bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Andersen stands up over Paul, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Paul wants to sweep here but Andersen controlling him for the moment.
Andersen passes Paul's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paul is looking to improve his position.

Andersen is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Andersen trying to advance position but Paul counters by regaining guard.
Ron Paul has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Paul throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Andersen pushes down on Paul's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Jon Erik Andersen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Andersen with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ron Paul.
I think Andersen has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 28:29
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jon Erik Andersen!
During a confident post fight interview, Jon Erik Andersen thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.