PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Valdemar Friman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Preston Driver (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Friman might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Metallica - Damage Inc.. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Friman
vs
Driver

168 cm
22
160 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

180 cm
23
165 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Powerful

The Red Eye

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Valdemar Friman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Preston Driver!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Matti Vanhoillinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Driver stuffs the takedown.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Friman.
Friman connects with a high kick.

It looks like Preston Driver has been cut.
Friman moves away from the strike by Driver.
Driver misses with a double jab.
Friman explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Friman dodges the punch combination from Driver.
Driver misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Friman tries to clinch but Driver is having none of it.
Friman throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Driver sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Friman is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Friman throws a nice looking combination but Driver bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Danga de danga de dang - Driver scores with a four punch combination!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Friman misses with a jab, cross combination.
Friman throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Driver stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Friman connects with a jab.
Driver lands with a nice combination. Friman backs away looking to recover.

Friman forces Driver back against the ropes and clinches.
Friman doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Friman fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Driver wants to break the clinch but can't.
Driver wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Friman has him pressed against the ropes.
Driver tries to break the clinch but Friman is controlling the position.
Driver is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Driver wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Friman pulls Driver into guard.
Driver stopping the sweep attempt from Friman.
Driver has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Friman is proving hard to escape from.
Friman looking to hit a scissor sweep but Driver is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Friman trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Friman trying to control the position.
Driver wanted to stand there but Friman had control of the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Friman fails in his attempt to clinch.
Driver connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Driver falls off balance throwing a combination
and Friman counters with a low kick, right behind Driver 's knee.
Driver looks gassed!
Driver misses with a series of wild punches.
No joy there for Friman, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Driver throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Friman counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Friman missing with knees to the body.
Knees to the body from Friman.

Friman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Driver displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Friman throws a nice looking combination but Driver bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Driver misses with a combination
and Friman counters with a good low kick that Driver was not able to check.
Friman swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Driver swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Friman counters with an inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Friman chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Friman scores with a decent looking hook.
Friman lands a body shot.
Driver takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Driver uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Friman.
Driver walks into a left hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Friman throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Friman misses with an uppercut.
Driver takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Driver misses with a body shot

and Friman counters with a shoot takedown. Driver fights it but they end up in guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Driver wants to stand but Friman is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valdemar Friman dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Preston Driver's cut.
That's time! Friman's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Friman throws a head kick that misses.
Driver throws a combination that misses
and Friman counters with a solid body kick.
Some wild striking there from Driver.
Driver uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Friman.
Driver throws out a loose jab but Friman uses good head movement to avoid it.
Driver takes a swing at Friman's ribcage but misses.
Nice straight punches there by Friman. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Friman.
Friman fails to land with a series of punches.
Valdemar Friman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Friman moves out of range of the strikes.
Driver is breathing heavily.
Friman keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Driver slips a straight right by Friman.
Friman tries to clinch but Driver is having none of it.
Friman smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Driver keeps the fight on the outside.
Driver comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Valdemar Friman is winning the standup battle so far.
Friman slips a jab from Driver.
Driver misses with a hook.
Friman lands with a nice combination. Driver backs away looking to recover.
Driver scores with a punch to the head.
Friman throws a quick inside leg kick.
Friman tries to bum rush Driver with a series of wild strikes but Driver uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Friman tries to clinch up.
Friman ducks under a wild hook from Driver.
Driver misses with a combination
and Friman counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Driver thinking.
A head kick misses from Friman.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Driver avoids a punch combination nicely.
Driver displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Friman throws out the jab.
Driver throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Friman on the side of the head.
Friman slips under a jab from Driver.
Driver lunges at Friman with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Friman's hand.
Driver swats away the attempt to clinch by Friman.
Friman uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Driver.
A jab from Friman misses.
Friman is looking to clinch but Driver is avoiding it.
Driver throws a big shot that misses.
Decent striking displayed by Driver there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Friman tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Preston Driver seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Friman lands with an uppercut that bounces Driver off the ropes and back into rage.
Driver throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Friman showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Driver.
Friman takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Friman bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Friman throws a head kick but Driver moves out of range.
Friman pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Driver lands a right hook to the body.
Driver slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Friman on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Driver misses with a wild combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Friman doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Driver lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Driver swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Left hook, right uppercut from Driver.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Driver lands with an uppercut that bounces Friman off the ropes and back into rage.
Preston Driver is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Friman tries to close the distance and clinch up but Driver swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Driver misses the shot to the body.
Friman throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Friman dodges the punch combination from Driver.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Friman needs to keep his hands up - Driver had a free shot at his head there.
Driver avoids the head kick by Friman.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Preston Driver showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Preston Driver's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Friman keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Friman decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Driver looks like he's trying to stand up.
Friman thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Friman throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Friman throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Driver is trying to stand back up but Friman is controlling him
Friman with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Friman sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Driver defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Friman scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Friman missing with a left hand there. Driver was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Friman!
The fight stays on the outside here - Friman looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Driver will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Friman throws a sloppy head kick and Driver moves out of range easily.
Friman staying out of range there.
Driver swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Friman counters with a leg kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Driver checks a leg kick.
Friman throws a sloppy head kick and Driver moves out of range easily.
Driver throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Friman.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
A combination from Driver does no damage.
The crowd cheers as Friman lands an impressive looking overhand right. Driver doesn't seem phased though.
Friman dodges the punch combination from Driver.
Driver displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Friman throws out the jab.
Driver avoids the head kick by Friman.
Driver showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Friman.
Friman walks into a left hand.
Driver keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Friman.
Driver swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Friman counters with a nice double leg into side control. Driver won't be happy with that.
Driver is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Friman asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Friman is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Driver has escaped the position, nice work there.
Driver wants to get back to his feet but Friman drags him back down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Friman creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Driver sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Driver tries to escape but Friman is in control.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Friman is looking to clinch.
Driver walks into a jab.
Friman lands a nice looking body kick.
Friman lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Friman misses the shot to the body.
Friman pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Friman throws the kick towards the body but Driver avoids it.
Driver darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valdemar Friman clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Preston Driver's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Driver throws a combination that misses
and Friman connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Driver takes a head kick and keeps coming.
A big right from Driver misses.
Driver lands a nice hook to Friman's body. Friman takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Driver jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Driver throws a series of punches but Friman moves out of range.
Driver displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Friman throws out the jab.
Driver throws a looping overhand right but Friman ducks down to avoid it.
Driver uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Friman.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Driver lands a with a good body shot.
The fighters circle momentarily. Driver darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Driver throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Friman lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Driver keeps the fight on the outside.
Friman fails to land the takedown.
Friman slips a jab and a cross from Driver.
Driver jabs at Friman's body.
Driver throws a looping overhand right but Friman ducks down to avoid it.
Friman dodges the punch combination from Driver.
Friman throws a hook but Driver avoids it easily.
Friman connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Friman defending well as Driver loads up on a big left hand.
Friman tries to close the distance and clinch but Driver swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Driver on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Friman tries to land a front kick but Driver steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Friman throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Driver fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Friman manages to avoid it.
Driver misses with a series of wild punches.
Driver fails to land with a series of punches.
Driver throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Friman scores with a leg kick.
Friman misses with a double jab
and Driver counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Driver swinging wilding here.
Friman throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Driver counters with a one-two to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Driver misses.
Friman tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Driver uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Friman.
Friman is looking to clinch.
Driver lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Friman backs up against the ropes.
Driver throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Driver takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Driver goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Friman slips a straight right by Driver.
Driver avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Friman throws a body punch but Driver moves out of range.
Driver scores with a jab to the head.
Driver digs a good body shot into Friman's ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Driver misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Friman tries to close the distance and clinch up but Driver swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Driver misses with a combination
enabling Friman to counter with a crisp jab.
A combination from Driver does no damage.
Driver takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Driver misses with a few strikes there.
Friman connects with a solid leg kick.
Friman throws a head kick that half lands.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Friman throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Driver lands a jab to the nose.
Driver looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Preston Driver dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Preston Driver's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Friman rushes Driver and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Friman looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Friman looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Friman lands a nice elbow.
Friman misses with a knee strike.
Friman looks to throw an elbow but misses.

Driver breaks the clinch.
Driver looks to score with a jab to the body but Friman is just out of range.
Friman ducks under a wild hook from Driver.
Driver avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Friman plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Driver looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No joy there for Friman, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Driver swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Friman counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Driver throws a series of strikes that have Friman backpedaling.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Friman shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Driver as he avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Driver works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Driver throws a series of punches but Friman avoids them all with ease.
Driver misses with a combination
and Friman counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Driver blocks a head kick by Friman.
Driver swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Driver throws a left and a right that both miss
and Friman counters with a nice uppercut.
Driver throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Friman counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Driver throws a hook but Friman avoids it easily.
Driver circles away from the clinch attempt
and Driver counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Friman uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Driver.
Driver moves out of range of the body kick from Friman.
The crowd cheers as Driver lands an impressive looking overhand right. Friman doesn't seem phased though.
Friman uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Driver.
Driver lunges at Friman with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Friman's hand.

Friman rushes Driver and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Friman looking to stall.
Driver is trying to break free.
Friman tries to land a knee to the head but Driver blocks with his arms.
Friman stalling in the clinch but Driver improves position.
Friman misses with a knee strike.
Driver wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Friman misses with a knee to the head.
Driver can't break the clinch.

Driver escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Friman swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Driver counters with a one-two to the body.
Driver swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Friman counters with a one-two to the body.
Driver looks to score with a jab to the body but Friman is just out of range.
Nice body punch from Friman.
Friman tests Driver's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Driver lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Some wild striking there from Driver.
Friman misses with a few strikes there.
Driver swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Driver moves out of range of the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Driver swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Friman counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Driver misses the jab.
Friman tests Driver's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Friman misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Friman pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Friman dodges the punch combination from Driver.
Driver connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Driver stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Friman.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Driver misses the shot to the body.
Driver defending well as Friman loads up on a big left hand.
Friman throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Driver's waist but Driver gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Friman off to one side.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Preston Driver.
I think Driver 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 47:48
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 47:48
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Preston Driver!