PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Erik Erikkson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carls Classic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Erikkson
vs
Classic

167 cm
19
135 lbs
3 - 3 - 1

173 cm
27
144 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 3 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Erik Erikkson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Carls Classic!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Classic shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Erikkson manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Classic postures up in Erikkson's guard and throws a big left but Erikkson blocks it.
Classic wants to pass the guard but Erikkson is keeping the position.
Erikkson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Classic has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Classic distracts Erikkson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Erikkson keeping moving, preventing Classic from controlling successfully.
Classic is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
It looks like Classic might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Erikkson can't keep his opponent in guard - Classic advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Carls Classic hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Classic closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Erikkson did well to prevent Classic getting side control.

Classic seems to be looking for submissions.
Erikkson tries to kick Classic off but Classic keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Erikkson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Classic scores with a couple of nice shots.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Classic lands a nice short elbow.
Classic seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Erikkson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Well, if Classic is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Erikkson misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Classic slows the pace down in half guard.

Classic is working for a kimura but Erikkson is defending it quite comfortably.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Erikkson has hold of Classic's hands but Classic slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Classic works his way into side control.
Erikkson being controlled for a moment.
Classic working the ground and pound from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Classic is trying to get an arm triangle but Erikkson is defending well.
Classic in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Classic is looking to take a break and control but Erikkson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Classic tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Classic has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Erikkson is trying to buck Classic off.

Classic wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Erikkson, who protects the arm well.
Erikkson tries to buck Classic off but Classic is having none of it.
Classic cracks Erikkson with a big right hand but Erikkson just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Erikkson trying to remain calm as Classic controls from the top position.
Classic is looking to take a break and control but Erikkson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Erikkson is trying to control Classic's posture but Classic avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carls Classic 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.

Classic slips a jab and a cross from Erikkson.

Classic drives through with a takedown into Erikkson's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Erikkson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Classic controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Classic wants to control from the top but Erikkson keeps moving.
Classic passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Erikkson is looking to regain half guard here but Classic keeps moving and retains side control.
Classic lands a decent elbow from side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Classic tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Carls Classic has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Erikkson tries to escape but Classic is in control.
Classic is looking to take a break and control but Erikkson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Classic is staying tight to Erikkson's torso, preventing him from escaping.

Classic has hold of Erikkson's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Erikkson tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Classic cranks the arm and Erikkson screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Erikkson, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Carls Classic!