PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Nils Holgersson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sean Richards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Holgersson comes to the cage accompanied by Theme. Sean Richards has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Nils Holgersson's chin.

Holgersson
vs
Richards

169 cm
25
155 lbs
11 - 9 - 0

170 cm
22
146 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid Muay Thai
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition

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 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Nils Holgersson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sean Richards!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Anthony Taglia and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Richards swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Holgersson swinging wildly here.
Richards defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Holgersson.
A head kick misses from Holgersson.
Holgersson dives in for a single leg takedown but Richards sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Richards throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Holgersson is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Holgersson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Richards moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Richards misses the shot to the body.
Holgersson throws a head kick but Richards moves out of range.
Richards scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Richards moves out of range of the body kick from Holgersson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holgersson looks to score with a jab to the body but Richards is just out of range.
Richards throws a head kick that misses.
Richards slips under a jab from Holgersson.
Richards's coach down at Den of Tears (22 coaches, $600 fee) was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Richards's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Holgersson misses with a hook. Richards ducked under it nicely.
Richards looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Holgersson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Holgersson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Richards is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holgersson is stalling in the full guard.
Holgersson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Richards swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Richards trying to control the position.
Richards keeping moving, preventing Holgersson from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Holgersson is really struggling to control Richards but he's trying to hold on to the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Holgersson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Richards works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Holgersson trying to control but Richards is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Holgersson gets a double leg takedown into Richards's guard.
Richards trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Holgersson trying to control but Richards is working from the bottom.
We've been hearing that Holgersson has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Richards working a defensive guard here.
Richards throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Holgersson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Richards is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards looking to hit a scissor sweep but Holgersson is one step ahead there.
Richards avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Holgersson pushing down on Richards's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Richards wants to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Holgersson wants to control but Richards is keeping him busy.
Holgersson controlling the action here.

Holgersson seems to be working for a kimura but Richards defends the submission attempt.
Ground and pound from Holgersson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Holgersson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Holgersson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Richards defends it well.
Richards has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Holgersson is working away from the top position though.
Holgersson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Richards does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Holgersson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Richards defends it well.
Holgersson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nils Holgersson dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Richards scoring well with a low kick there.
Richards stuffs the takedown.
Richards throws a fast counter high kick but Holgersson manages to duck under it in time.
Richards turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Richards takes a swing at Holgersson's ribcage but misses.
Richards connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Holgersson's hands.
Holgersson fails with the takedown.
Holgersson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Richards is fending him off so far but Holgersson persists. Nope, Richards circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nils Holgersson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Holgersson throws a shot from downtown. Richards moves away and avoids it.
Richards misses with a body shot.
Holgersson misses with an uppercut.
Holgersson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Richards was well out of range. Poor timing from Holgersson.
Richards is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Holgersson with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Richards looks to throw the jab but Holgersson is out of range.
Richards will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

Holgersson gets the takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Richards tries to get back to half guard but can't.
An elbow from Holgersson crashes against the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Holgersson has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Richards is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Holgersson yanks on the arm and Richards is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Holgersson.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:24 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Nils Holgersson!
A relieved looking Nils Holgersson thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.