PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Torgrim Skalldursson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arnold Balboa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Skalldursson comes to the ring accompanied by RAMONES "Beat on the brat". 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.

Skalldursson
vs
Balboa

182 cm
21
189 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

185 cm
20
182 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Torgrim Skalldursson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Arnold Balboa!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Ben Zyskovitsi and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Balboa fails to land the takedown.

Balboa shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Balboa was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Balboa is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Skalldursson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Skalldursson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

Skalldursson moves into range and clinches up with Balboa.
Balboa is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Come on Skalldursson - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Skalldursson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Balboa.
Skalldursson lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Arnold Balboa has been cut.
Skalldursson's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Skalldursson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Balboa.
Skalldursson lands an elbow inside.
Balboa is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Skalldursson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Torgrim Skalldursson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arnold Balboa.
Skalldursson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Skalldursson gets a trip takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balboa looks like he's trying to stand up.
Balboa looks gassed!
Skalldursson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Well, if Skalldursson 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.
Skalldursson lands with a punch from half guard.
Skalldursson working the head and body with strikes.
Skalldursson wants to take a breather but Balboa is having none of it.
Skalldursson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Skalldursson working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Balboa is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Skalldursson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Balboa is trying to stand up here but Skalldursson is controlling him well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skalldursson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Skalldursson is looking to take a break and control but Balboa is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Balboa looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Skalldursson with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Ground and pound from Skalldursson.
Skalldursson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Balboa is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Skalldursson pulls his head out easily.
Ground and pound from Skalldursson.

Skalldursson seems to be working for a kimura but Balboa defends the submission attempt.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Skalldursson scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skalldursson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Skalldursson working Balboa over with strikes.
Skalldursson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Skalldursson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Balboa with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Balboa is trying to stand back up but Skalldursson is controlling him
Balboa is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Skalldursson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Skalldursson trying to control from half guard but Balboa is working away.

Skalldursson is looking for a kimura here.
Skalldursson working the head and body with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balboa is not content to let Skalldursson control the position.
Ground and pound from Skalldursson.
Skalldursson wants to control but Balboa is keeping him busy.
Skalldursson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Balboa looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Skalldursson controlling the action here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Skalldursson is looking for a kimura here.
Skalldursson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Torgrim Skalldursson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Arnold Balboa's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Good work by Balboa as he checks the leg kick.
Skalldursson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Balboa rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Skalldursson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Skalldursson scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Skalldursson throws a nice outside leg kick.
Skalldursson chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Skalldursson is looking to slow Balboa down with leg kicks.
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!
Skalldursson throws a nice outside leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Skalldursson.
Skalldursson tries to clinch but Balboa is having none of it.
Skalldursson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Balboa.
Arnold Balboa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Balboa is breathing heavily.
Skalldursson thows a body shot but no joy.
Balboa moves out of range of the body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skalldursson throws a series of punches but Balboa moves out of range.
Balboa takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Skalldursson scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Skalldursson connects with a solid leg kick.
Torgrim Skalldursson is winning the standup battle so far.

Skalldursson clinches up against the ropes.
Skalldursson lands an elbow just above Balboa 's eye.
Skalldursson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Balboa can do to turn this around?
Skalldursson lands an elbow inside.
Balboa takes an elbow to the forehead.
A nice left hand lands by Skalldursson.
Skalldursson lands an elbow inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Skalldursson manages to break the clinch.
Balboa's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Skalldursson shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Skalldursson showed some decent athleticism there.
Skalldursson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Balboa tries to roll over but Skalldursson keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skalldursson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Balboa does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Skalldursson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Skalldursson lands a nice short elbow.
Skalldursson lands strikes from half guard.
Skalldursson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
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.
Skalldursson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Skalldursson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Balboa tries to roll over but Skalldursson keeps him under control.
Skalldursson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Balboa is looking for a sweep. Skalldursson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Torgrim Skalldursson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balboa on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Ground and pound from Skalldursson.

Skalldursson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Balboa doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Skalldursson.
Balboa wants to get back to his feet.
Skalldursson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Balboa is looking to escape.
Skalldursson blocks the strikes from Balboa.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skalldursson trying to control the action but Balboa is working from the bottom.

Skalldursson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Balboa doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Skalldursson.
Balboa is trying to stand back up but Skalldursson is controlling him

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A solid leg kick lands there for Skalldursson.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Skalldursson takes the fight into the clinch.
Skalldursson lands a nice knee to the body.
Skalldursson scores a nice knee to the body.
Skalldursson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

That has opened up Arnold Balboa's cut even more.
Skalldursson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Torgrim Skalldursson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Arnold Balboa's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Skalldursson lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Skalldursson will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Balboa tries for a takedown but Skalldursson circles away easily
and Skalldursson counters with a slapping leg kick.
Skalldursson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Balboa.
Skalldursson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Balboa thows a body shot but no joy.
Skalldursson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Balboa.
Balboa takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Skalldursson throws a nice looking combination but Balboa bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Balboa shoots and misses
and Skalldursson counters with an outside leg kick.
Skalldursson connects with a solid leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skalldursson lands with a thumping leg kick.
Skalldursson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Balboa avoids the head kick by Skalldursson.
Balboa gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Skalldursson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Torgrim Skalldursson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arnold Balboa.
Skalldursson taking a breather.
Balboa takes an elbow to the forehead.
Skalldursson landing knees to the body.
Balboa takes an elbow to the temple.
Skalldursson lands a damaging elbow.
Knees to the body from Skalldursson.

Skalldursson is working on a single leg takedown against the ropes. Balboa can't fight it off and eventually Skalldursson manages to take the fight to the floor. Balboa looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Skalldursson scoring with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balboa is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Skalldursson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Balboa's head.
Skalldursson is in close to Balboa's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Skalldursson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Balboa not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Balboa being controlled here, momentarily.
Skalldursson is in close to Balboa's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Balboa working for a triangle but Skalldursson defends it easily.
Skalldursson pushes down on Balboa's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skalldursson working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Skalldursson trying to control from half guard but Balboa is working away.
Skalldursson winds up and cracks Balboa with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Skalldursson working over Balboa with some ground and pound. Balboa looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Ground and pound from Skalldursson.
Arnold Balboa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Well, if Skalldursson 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.
Skalldursson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Torgrim Skalldursson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skalldursson stops Balboa from getting back to his feet.
Skalldursson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Balboa with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Skalldursson working Balboa over with strikes.
Still in half guard, Skalldursson seems content to control.
Balboa pushes Skalldursson off looking to stand but Skalldursson dives back in and keeps control.
Balboa has hold of Skalldursson's hands but Skalldursson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Skalldursson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Skalldursson lands with a punch from half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Skalldursson lands strikes from half guard.
Skalldursson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

And that's the end of the fight!
Torgrim Skalldursson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Skalldursson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:25
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:25
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Torgrim Skalldursson!