PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rodrick Rich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Erik Tjore (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Erik Tjore was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Rich
vs
Tjore

204 cm
18
193 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

185 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Rodrick Rich!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Erik Tjore!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Donald Grub and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tjore throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Rich tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Tjore is in Rich's guard.
Rich managing to control the position.
Tjore trying to control the position from guard on top but Rich is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rich trying to keep a closed guard but Tjore is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tjore pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rich is keeping the position for now.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rich tries to sprawl but Tjore drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Rich is trying to maintain the position but Tjore is very close to passing his half guard.
Rich won't allow Tjore to pass to mount.
Rich trying to hold on to Tjore's head to control him but Tjore postures up.
Tjore trying to control the pace.
Rich has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Tjore is working away from the top position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Tjore not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Tjore is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Rich sees it coming and defends easily.
Rich is staying active underneath Tjore, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

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

Tjore shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rich is holding on to half guard well.

Tjore decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tjore closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Rich did well to prevent Tjore getting side control.
Rich is trying to control but can't.
Rich really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Rich misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Rich trying to hold on to Tjore's head to control him but Tjore postures up.
Tjore trying to mount his opponent but Rich defends it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Tjore not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Tjore wants to take a breather but Rich is having none of it.
Tjore tries to pass to full mount but Rich defends it.
Tjore throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rich keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Tjore is trying to control. Rich wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

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

Tjore gets a takedown into half guard.

Tjore is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Tjore wants to stand up but Rich is controlling the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rich pushes Tjore off looking to stand but Tjore dives back in and keeps control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erik Tjore dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Tjore has closed the distance and engaged Rich in a clinch.
Rich stalling in the clinch but Tjore improves position.

Tjore pulls guard successfully.
Rich wants to get up but he can't break Tjore's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Rich throwing strikes from guard but Tjore blocks nicely.
Rich would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Tjore lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rich seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Rich looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tjore wants to control from the top but Rich keeps moving.

Tjore gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Tjore connects with a body shot that sends Rich's belly button to the back.

Tjore is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Rich's half guard.
Tjore tries to pass to full mount but Rich defends it.
Rich preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Tjore throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tjore wants to take a breather but Rich is having none of it.
Tjore keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Tjore trying to control the action but Rich is working from the bottom.
Rich is looking to control Tjore's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Rich avoid being mounted?
Tjore trying to control the action but Rich is working from the bottom.

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

Tjore decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Rich is not content to let Tjore control the position.
Tjore content to control rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rich is trying to stand up here but Tjore is controlling him well.
Rich is trying is best to control the position here.
Tjore tries to pass the half guard into mount. Rich knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Tjore tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Rich.
Rich controlling the position for now.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Tjore trying to pass the guard but Rich defending well.

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.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rich.

Tjore shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Rich's guard.
Tjore wants to pass the guard but Rich is keeping the position.
Erik Tjore has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rich working a defensive guard here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rich will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Rich keeping moving, preventing Tjore from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erik Tjore showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Tjore gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Tjore gets control of Rich's arms and successfully pulls guard. Tjore will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Tjore tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tjore has momentary wrist control but Rich slips an elbow through the middle.
Rich won't allow Tjore to sweep him here.
Rich is working Tjore over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Tjore pulls Rich in close to prevent any damage.
Tjore has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tjore looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Tjore controlling Rich's posture.

Tjore working for a triangle but Rich defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tjore is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rich with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Rich throws a big elbow that misses.
Rich working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Rich postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rich scoring with punches to the head and body.
Rich being controlled here momentarily.
Rich has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Tjore is proving hard to escape from.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rich with a nice head shot there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rich accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tjore is adopting a defensive guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rich shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tjore but Tjore pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Tjore is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Rich's half guard.
Tjore takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rich is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tjore throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rich has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Tjore is working away from the top position though.
Rich controlling the position for now.
Rich trying to control here.
Rich keeping control of the position.
Rich keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Tjore is looking to stand up but he'll have to free his leg first. Instead, Rich manages to get to full guard.
Rich controls Tjore momentarily but Tjore frees himself.
Tjore trying to control the position from guard on top but Rich is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Erik Tjore is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Tjore closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Rich throws an elbow but it misses.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Tjore's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Tjore shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Erik Tjore comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tjore has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 25:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 25:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Erik Tjore!