PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Per Tollefsen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rian Powers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Powers's choice of entrance music: Foggy Dew. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Tollefsen
vs
Powers

175 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

168 cm
25
152 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Per Tollefsen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rian Powers!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Powers throws a nice looking combination but Tollefsen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Tollefsen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Powers paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Powers is looking for the big counter here.
Tollefsen leaves Powers with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Powers avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Powers gets a takedown into half guard.
Powers throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Powers thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Powers is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Tollefsen to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.

Tollefsen is looking for a triangle but Powers pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tollefsen has his hands on Powers's head, controlling the position.
Tollefsen being controlled here, momentarily.
Tollefsen wants to get back to his feet but Powers is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Powers controlling from the top position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Tollefsen shoots in and drives through. Powers sprawls well.
Tollefsen is looking to clinch but Powers is avoiding it.
Powers shoots in and drives through. Tollefsen sprawls well.
Powers shoots for a double leg takedown but Tollefsen sprawls well. He's pushed Powers's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Per Tollefsen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rian Powers.
Powers fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Powers tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Tollefsen defends well and Powers ends up having to push Tollefsen into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Tollefsen wants to clinch up but Powers keeps it at a distance.
Tollefsen sets himself, and Powers steps forward looking for the clinch! Tollefsen avoids it this time.
Powers has his takedown stuffed
and Tollefsen counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Powers clinches with his opponent.
Tollefsen working aggressively here.
Tollefsen tries to pull guard but Powers won't allow it.
Powers wants a takedown but no success here.
Powers is looking to break free of the clinch but Tollefsen has double underhooks.
Tollefsen trying to control the position but instead, Powers has worked for underhooks and has pushed Tollefsen into the cage.
Powers is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Tollefsen tries to pull guard but Powers holds him up against the cage and eventually Tollefsen drops back down to his feet.
Powers drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Tollefsen gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Powers gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Tollefsen.
Powers looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Tollefsen has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Tollefsen breaks from the clinch.

Powers moves into the clinch successfully.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Powers breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Horrible takedown attempt by Powers or perhaps it was just good defense by Tollefsen, which made it look bad.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rian Powers will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Tollefsen wants to clinch up but Powers keeps it at a distance.
Powers swats away the attempt to clinch by Tollefsen.
Powers drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Tollefsen defends it well.
Nice sprawl there from Tollefsen as Powers shoots in.

Tollefsen shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Powers napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Powers sneaks out the side door and pushes Tollefsen away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Tollefsen wants to clinch.
Powers is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tollefsen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Powers looks to land a combination but Tollefsen avoids it well.
Tollefsen wants to clinch up but Powers keeps it at a distance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A telegraphed right hand from Tollefsen misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tollefsen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Powers tries to avoid it but Tollefsen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Powers to the ground. Powers escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Powers lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Powers cracks a nice hook into Tollefsen's ribs.
Tollefsen has his takedown stuffed
and Powers counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tollefsen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Per Tollefsen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Powers looks for the body kick but Tollefsen saw that one coming.
Powers goes for a double leg but Tollefsen avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Tollefsen continues to drive forward.
Powers blocks the body kick.

Powers clinches with his opponent.

Powers pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tollefsen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Tollefsen drives through and clinches with Powers against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Powers gets control of Tollefsen's arms and successfully pulls guard. Powers will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Tollefsen stopping the sweep attempt from Powers.
Powers lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Powers engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Powers trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Powers postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Tollefsen is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Powers, into his guard.

Tollefsen wants to stand and escape but instead Powers has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Powers not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Powers gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Tollefsen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Powers sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tollefsen somewhat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Powers lands a nice shot that snaps Tollefsen's head back.
Powers fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Powers has closed the distance and engaged Tollefsen in a clinch.
Powers drops down looking for an ankle pick but Tollefsen pulls his leg out and moves away.
Powers throws the kick towards the body but Tollefsen avoids it.
Tollefsen with a poor takedown
and Powers counters with a stiff right hand.
Tollefsen takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Powers has taken the fight to the clinch.
Powers wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rian Powers showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

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

Tollefsen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Powers has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Powers shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Tollefsen pinned against the cage. Tollefsen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Tollefsen throws a nice looking combination but Powers bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A head kick misses from Powers.
Tollefsen fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Per Tollefsen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Powers lands a slapping body shot.
Tollefsen darts in looking for a takedown but Powers gets double underhooks and turns Tollefsen into the cage.
Powers is looking for the big counter here.
Tollefsen defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Powers.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Powers drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Tollefsen gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Per Tollefsen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rian Powers.
Tollefsen is trying to force a seperation but Powers has the dominant position.
Powers is trying to break the clinch but Tollefsen has him pressed against the cage.
Tollefsen wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Tollefsen has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Tollefsen tries to circle away but Powers has him pinned against the cage.
Tollefsen is trying to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Powers jumps guard.

Powers is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Tollefsen wants to control from the top but Powers keeps moving.
Tollefsen wants to pass the guard but Powers is keeping the position.
Tollefsen knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Powers on the ground.
Powers has Tollefsen pulled in close to control his posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Powers utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tollefsen trying to control the position from guard on top but Powers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Powers is adopting a defensive guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Tollefsen tries for a takedown but Powers sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Powers shoots in and drives through. Tollefsen sprawls well.
Powers shoots and misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Powers misses with a head kick.
It looked like Tollefsen was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Powers.

Powers closes the distance and clinches.
Tollefsen has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Powers after a bit of a struggle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tollefsen is trying to break the clinch but Powers has him pressed against the cage.
Tollefsen trying to control the position but instead, Powers has worked for underhooks and has pushed Tollefsen into the cage.
Powers lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Powers wants to break the clinch but can't.
Tollefsen tries to pull guard but Powers holds him up against the cage and eventually Tollefsen drops back down to his feet.
Powers tries for a takedown. No joy.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Powers jumps guard and drags Tollefsen to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Per Tollefsen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rian Powers is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Powers throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rian Powers comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Powers 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rian Powers!