PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Earl Bryant (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Svensson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Svensson comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Shinedown - Diamond Eyes kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Alex Svensson will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Bryant
vs
Svensson

188 cm
18
193 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
195 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Earl Bryant!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Alex Svensson!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Marco Blurström and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed right hand from Svensson misses the target.
Bryant appears to be looking for a big counter.

Svensson moves into range and clinches up with Bryant.
Bryant can't get the takedown.
Svensson throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Svensson successfully pulls guard.
Svensson is adopting a defensive guard.
Bryant is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bryant throws a big right hand that misses.
Svensson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bryant accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Svensson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Svensson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bryant with a flurry of punches that miss.
Svensson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bryant working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bryant throws a big elbow that misses.
Bryant postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Svensson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bryant trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bryant working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Svensson darts in and clinches Bryant up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Svensson wants to get back to striking at distance but Bryant won't allow it.

Bryant successfully pulls guard.

Svensson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bryant has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Svensson has managed to get both his arms back between Bryant's legs - danger averted.

Svensson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Bryant, up you get!
Bryant shoots in looking for a takedown. Svensson tries to sprawl out of it but Bryant keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Svensson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Svensson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Bryant counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Svensson breaks from the clinch.
Svensson throws a right hand that Bryant ducks under and follows up with a left that Bryant also avoids with ease.
It looked like Bryant was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Svensson.

Svensson has Bryant up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Svensson drags the fight down to the ground.

Svensson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Svensson looks winded!
Svensson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bryant.
Bryant throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Svensson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bryant in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bryant throws a big elbow that misses.
Svensson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bryant throws a big right hand that misses.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Svensson drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Bryant tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Bryant bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Bryant slips a jab and a cross from Svensson.
Svensson digs a good hook to Bryant's body.
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!

Bryant scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Bryant scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Svensson to see if he's OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Earl Bryant will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A good leg kick by Svensson.

Svensson closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Bryant quickly recovers to half guard.
Bryant throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Nice strikes from Svensson there.
Bryant blocking the ground and pound attempt from Svensson.

Bryant looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Svensson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Svensson is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bryant manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Svensson keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bryant breaks from the clinch.

Svensson gets caught flat footed, as Bryant shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Svensson is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Svensson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bryant is in close to Svensson's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Bryant is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bryant throws a big right hand that misses.
Svensson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Svensson wants to hit a switch here but Bryant passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Svensson there!
Bryant unloads with some shots from mount but Svensson bucks and avoids them well.
We've been informed that Svensson has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Bryant looking to finish Svensson with some ground and pound. This is bad for Svensson!
Bryant scoring with strikes but Svensson is staying in there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bryant is landing with some decent strikes but Svensson is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Bryant landing shots from mount.
Svensson is looking to improve his position but Bryant isn't that keen on the idea.
Bryant is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Svensson can do to turn this around?
Bryant throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Svensson because Bryant loaded up on that one.
Bryant working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Svensson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bryant. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Bryant unloading with bombs!
Svensson tries to lock up and control but Bryant gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bryant with a couple of short strikes.
Bryant is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Svensson can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Svensson's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Bryant lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Svensson is bucking up trying to escape but Bryant cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Svensson wants to hold on but Bryant pushes him away.
Bryant pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Earl Bryant dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Svensson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Alex Svensson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Svensson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Svensson darts in and clinches Bryant up against the cage.
Svensson lands a damaging elbow.

Bryant pulls Svensson into guard.
Earl Bryant overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Bryant is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Svensson is aware though and is defending well.
Bryant throws some shots to the body, keeping his opponent honest.
Svensson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Svensson stands and steps away. Bryant gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Svensson throws a chopping leg kick but Bryant manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Bryant appears to be looking for a big counter.

Svensson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Bryant is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Svensson defends well.
Svensson scoring with some ground and pound.
Svensson trying to control but Bryant is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bryant looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Svensson throws a strike but Bryant rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Hammerfist, elbow! yells Bryant's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Svensson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Svensson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Bryant's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Bryant gets to his feet. Svensson looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Svensson pushes Bryant up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bryant turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Svensson is trying to improve his position.
Svensson dodges the ground and pound from Bryant.
Bryant throwing strikes but Svensson manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Bryant throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.
Svensson wants to control but Bryant is keeping him busy.
Bryant is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bryant wants to control but Svensson postures up.
Svensson tries to advance to mount but can't.
Svensson is chipping away with strikes.
Alex Svensson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Bryant throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Earl Bryant is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Svensson looks to land a body kick but Bryant moved away.
Bryant went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

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 Earl Bryant.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bryant, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Earl Bryant!