PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Halfdan Ragnarsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rickard Franzen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Halfdan Ragnarsson has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Ragnarsson
vs
Franzen

195 cm
25
210 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

178 cm
21
195 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Machine Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Halfdan Ragnarsson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rickard Franzen!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Franzen takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Ragnarsson swings widly with a right hand
and Franzen counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Franzen ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Franzen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ragnarsson.
Franzen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ragnarsson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ragnarsson staying out of range there.

Ragnarsson gets a clinch.
Franzen takes a knee right on the jaw!
Franzen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Franzen misses with a punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Franzen.
Franzen throws an elbow that misses.
A knee to the head by Ragnarsson.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ragnarsson blocks the elbow strike.
Franzen misses with some punches.
Franzen misses with the head strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Franzen throws an elbow but misses.
Ragnarsson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Franzen backwards.
Franzen is looking to break free of the clinch but Ragnarsson has double underhooks.
Ragnarsson blocks an elbow strike from Franzen.
Ragnarsson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franzen tries a body shot but Ragnarsson blocks it.
A short right from Franzen.
Ragnarsson lands a hook that snaps the head of Franzen backwards.
A knee to the head by Ragnarsson.

It looks like Rickard Franzen has been cut.
Ragnarsson lands a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson lands a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson lands a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Ragnarsson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ragnarsson with a knee to the head.
Franzen misses with the head strike.
A knee to the head by Ragnarsson.
Franzen looks winded!
Ragnarsson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Franzen's face.
Franzen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ragnarsson scores with a shoulder strike.
Franzen takes a knee right on the jaw!
Ragnarsson lands with a light punch inside.
Franzen misses with a punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ragnarsson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A short uppercut from Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson lands a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson lands a hook that snaps the head of Franzen backwards.
Franzen wants to stall.
Ragnarsson lands an elbow that stopped Franzen in his tracks for a moment.
Ragnarsson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Franzen's defenses.
Ragnarsson landing knees to the head.
Ragnarsson lands an elbow just above Franzen 's eye.
Ragnarsson lands a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Franzen trying to land knees to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ragnarsson landing knees to the head.
Franzen misses with a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson connects with a knee to the head.
Franzen struggles to land a body shot inside as Ragnarsson controls his hands.
Ragnarsson lands an elbow inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Halfdan Ragnarsson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rickard Franzen's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Franzen tries to keep at a distance but Ragnarsson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ragnarsson lands an elbow inside.
Franzen lands an elbow just above Ragnarsson 's eye.
Franzen tries to break free but Ragnarsson pushes him back against the cage.
Franzen misses with a punch on the inside.
Ragnarsson lands a damaging elbow.
Ragnarsson managing to block the knees to the body from Franzen.
Franzen can't break the clinch.
Ragnarsson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Franzen misses with a short punch on the inside.
Halfdan Ragnarsson has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A short right from Ragnarsson on the inside.
Ragnarsson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Franzen can do to turn this around?
Franzen misses with the head strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knees in the clinch landing for Ragnarsson.
Knees to the body from Ragnarsson.
Franzen is breathing heavily.
Ragnarsson with a knee to the head.
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!
Ragnarsson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Franzen takes a knee to the side of the body.
Franzen takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ragnarsson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Franzen's defenses.
Ragnarsson landing knees to the head.
Ragnarsson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ragnarsson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ragnarsson scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ragnarsson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Franzen is rocked!
Franzen takes a shot to the head.
Franzen is still on wobbly legs! Can Ragnarsson finish him?
Franzen takes an elbow to the temple.
Ragnarsson with a knee to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ragnarsson lands an uppercut.
Ragnarsson lands a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson with a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Franzen's face.
Franzen lands a right hand.
Ragnarsson scores with a shoulder strike.
Franzen seems to have recovered his senses.
Ragnarsson landing knees to the head.
Ragnarsson landing knees to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Franzen blocks it with crossed arms.
Ragnarsson lands an elbow inside.
Franzen takes an elbow to the temple.
Ragnarsson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Franzen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ragnarsson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Franzen's face.
Franzen throws a head punch that misses.
Ragnarsson keeps control of Franzen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Ragnarsson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Franzen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ragnarsson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Franzen tries to circle away but Ragnarsson has him pinned against the cage.
Ragnarsson misses with a knee strike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ragnarsson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Franzen blocks it with crossed arms.
Franzen connects with a knee to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Franzen fails to land.
Ragnarsson scores with a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Halfdan Ragnarsson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rickard Franzen's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Franzen lands a nice hook to Ragnarsson's body. Ragnarsson takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ragnarsson's jab looks to have found its range, popping Franzen under the eye.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Franzen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Ragnarsson lands a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Franzen backwards.
Franzen takes a knee right on the jaw!
Ragnarsson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Franzen's face.
Ragnarsson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Franzen takes a knee right on the jaw!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Franzen missing with knees to the body.
Ragnarsson connects with a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ragnarsson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Ragnarsson lands a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson lands a shoulder strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Franzen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ragnarsson misses with an uppercut.
Franzen takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Good shot there by Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Franzen throws a body kick that misses.
Franzen misses with a hook. Ragnarsson ducked under it nicely.

Ragnarsson rushes Franzen and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ragnarsson working Franzen over with knees to the body.
A short right from Ragnarsson.
Franzen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ragnarsson scores with a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson scores with a knee to the head.
Franzen throws a head punch that misses.
Franzen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ragnarsson blocks it with crossed arms.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Franzen manages to break the clinch.
Franzen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ragnarsson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Halfdan Ragnarsson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franzen darts in looking for a takedown but Ragnarsson gets double underhooks and turns Franzen into the cage.

Ragnarsson clinches up against the cage.
Ragnarsson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Ragnarsson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Franzen's face.
Franzen takes a knee right on the jaw!
Franzen throws an elbow but it misses.
Franzen takes a knee right on the jaw!
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Franzen just misses with a elbow thrown towards Ragnarsson's brow.
Ragnarsson is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Ragnarsson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Franzen working aggressively here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ragnarsson.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Franzen wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ragnarsson scores with a shot to the side of Franzen's head.
Franzen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ragnarsson blocks it with crossed arms.
Franzen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Halfdan Ragnarsson clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Rickard Franzen's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ragnarsson clinches.
Franzen has a couple of punches blocked by Ragnarsson.
Still in the clinch, Ragnarsson scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ragnarsson lands a damaging elbow.
Franzen is trying to maintain a safe position but Ragnarsson gets an underhook and turns Franzen into the cage.
Ragnarsson lands a shoulder strike.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ragnarsson.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Ragnarsson obliges.
Ragnarsson lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ragnarsson scores a nice knee to the body.
Knees to the body from Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson scores with a shot to the side of Franzen's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ragnarsson with a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson lands an elbow inside.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Ragnarsson with a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson connects with a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson landing knees to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ragnarsson scores with a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson lands a knee to the head.

Franzen breaks from the clinch.
Ragnarsson scores with a jab. Franzen acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A jab from Franzen finds it's way through Ragnarsson's defenses.
Ragnarsson thuds his right hand into Franzen's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Franzen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Franzen.
Ragnarsson throws a good cross that connects.
Franzen throws a hook to the side of Ragnarsson's head but Ragnarsson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ragnarsson scores with a hook.

Ragnarsson takes the fight into the clinch.
Franzen wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ragnarsson lands an elbow inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ragnarsson lands a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ragnarsson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Franzen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Franzen misses with the head strike.
Ragnarsson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Franzen throws a punch but it's blocked by Ragnarsson.
Franzen has a couple of punches blocked by Ragnarsson.
Franzen throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Franzen has had enough of the clinch but Ragnarsson keeps him there for the moment.
Ragnarsson lands an elbow that stopped Franzen in his tracks for a moment.
Franzen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ragnarsson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Franzen's face.
A head punch on the inside from Franzen fails to land.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ragnarsson.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ragnarsson scores with a knee to the head.
Franzen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ragnarsson avoids it.
Franzen throws an elbow but it's blocked.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Ragnarsson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Halfdan Ragnarsson had his way with Rickard Franzen in that round.
The cut man is working on Rickard Franzen'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!

Ragnarsson moves away from the strike by Franzen.

Ragnarsson closes the distance and clinches.
Ragnarsson looking to throw knees to the head but Franzen is blocking nicely.
Ragnarsson with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Ragnarsson.
Franzen throws a punch but it's blocked by Ragnarsson.
Franzen is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Ragnarsson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Franzen's face.
Ragnarsson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Franzen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ragnarsson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Franzen breaks the clinch.
Ragnarsson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Franzen.
Franzen misses with a left hand
and Ragnarsson counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Ragnarsson wants to clinch.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Ragnarsson moves in looking to clinch but Franzen pushes him off.
Franzen might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ragnarsson tries to clinch up but Franzen circles away and keeps his distance.
Halfdan Ragnarsson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ragnarsson sizes up Franzen with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Franzen slips a straight right by Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson misses with a straight left.
Franzen defending well as Ragnarsson loads up on a big left hand.
Franzen is looking to score with low kicks.
Ragnarsson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ragnarsson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Franzen misses with an uppercut.
Ragnarsson takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Franzen tries to keep at a distance but Ragnarsson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ragnarsson blocks an uppercut.
Franzen misses with some punches.
Franzen trying to control the position but instead, Ragnarsson has worked for underhooks and has pushed Franzen into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ragnarsson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Franzen swings wildly with an uppercut but Ragnarsson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ragnarsson lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Rickard Franzen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ragnarsson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ragnarsson lands a shoulder strike.
Ragnarsson with a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson scores with a shoulder strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Franzen.
Franzen is trying to push Ragnarsson away but Ragnarsson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Ragnarsson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Ragnarsson lands a good knee to the midsection. Franzen won't want to take too many of those.
Franzen misses with the head strike.
Franzen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Franzen takes a knee right on the jaw!

And that's the end of the fight!
Halfdan Ragnarsson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ragnarsson 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 50:45
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 50:45
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Halfdan Ragnarsson!
Halfdan Ragnarsson retains his light heavyweight title!
A victorious Halfdan Ragnarsson thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.