PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Torsten Ver Magnussen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Drew Poorly (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Ver Magnussen
vs
Poorly

188 cm
25
184 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
197 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Torsten Ver Magnussen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Drew Poorly!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Tarja Halkonen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ver Magnussen misses with a two punch combination.

Poorly has managed to clinch.
Poorly is working Ver Magnussen over against the cage.
Poorly is leaning against Ver Magnussen and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A hook to the body from Poorly.
Poorly doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Poorly breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Poorly fails with the takedown.
Nice takedown defense from Ver Magnussen. No joy for Poorly on that attempt.
Ver Magnussen changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Poorly moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Poorly stops a takedown attempt from Ver Magnussen.
Ver Magnussen drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Poorly gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Ver Magnussen tries to score a body lock takedown but Poorly shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Torsten Ver Magnussen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poorly pushes Ver Magnussen back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Poorly lands a hook that snaps the head of Ver Magnussen backwards.

Poorly pulls Ver Magnussen into guard.

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

Poorly is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Ver Magnussen looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Ver Magnussen tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Poorly looking to pass the guard.
Poorly controlling from the top position.
Ver Magnussen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Poorly is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Poorly looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ver Magnussen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Poorly is one step ahead there.
Poorly not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Ver Magnussen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Poorly.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Poorly engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Poorly avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Poorly raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Ver Magnussen fails with a takedown attempt.
Drew Poorly seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ver Magnussen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ver Magnussen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Poorly sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ver Magnussen somewhat.
Poorly misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ver Magnussen quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.

Poorly instigates a clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ver Magnussen is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Poorly is defending well.
Ver Magnussen tries to score a body lock takedown but Poorly shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Poorly is defending well against a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Drew Poorly dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Poorly pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ver Magnussen is looking to clinch.

Poorly instigates a clinch.
Poorly prevents the takedown attempt.
Ver Magnussen can't get the takedown.
Ver Magnussen has Poorly pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Poorly manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Torsten Ver Magnussen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Poorly escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Poorly forces Ver Magnussen back against the cage and clinches.
Poorly lands a nice shot to the body.
Poorly lands a hook to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ver Magnussen is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Poorly gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
A body shot lands from Poorly.
Ver Magnussen changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Poorly fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Poorly drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poorly sitting in guard here, content to control.
Ver Magnussen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Poorly is one step ahead there.
Poorly slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ver Magnussen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ver Magnussen shoots in but no luck this time.

Poorly instigates a clinch.
Ver Magnussen is trying to drag Poorly to the mat but Poorly just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Poorly presses Ver Magnussen against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Poorly scores with a hook to the body.
Poorly throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ver Magnussen is working for takedown but Poorly is calmly controlling the position for now.
Ver Magnussen has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Poorly is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Ver Magnussen is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Poorly presses Ver Magnussen against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

Poorly jumps into guard, dragging Ver Magnussen to the mat.
Poorly is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Poorly pushes Ver Magnussen off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Poorly has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Poorly shoots in for a takedown but Ver Magnussen shows good takedown defense.

Poorly takes the fight into the clinch.
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!
Ver Magnussen drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Poorly gets the underhooks and prevents it.
The referee calls for Poorly to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Drew Poorly 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! This is the final round!

Ver Magnussen dives in and grabs Poorly's left leg, looking for a takedown. Poorly pushes down on Ver Magnussen's head and hops out.
Poorly stuffs the takedown attempt from Ver Magnussen. Ver Magnussen gets slowly back to his feet.

Poorly closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Ver Magnussen quickly recovers to half guard.

Ver Magnussen has one foot on Poorly's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Ver Magnussen shoots and misses

and Poorly counters with a head kick that drops Ver Magnussen to the mat! Ver Magnussen scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Torsten Ver Magnussen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
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!
Ver Magnussen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Poorly gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Poorly escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Poorly scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Ver Magnussen is rocked!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Poorly remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Poorly's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Ver Magnussen is looking to regain half guard here but Poorly keeps moving and retains side control.

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

Poorly gets a clinch.
Poorly lands a body punch.
Nice body punch from Poorly.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ver Magnussen has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Poorly is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Poorly tries for a takedown. No joy.

Poorly pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ver Magnussen shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Poorly sprawls well. Poorly wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ver Magnussen gets slowly back to his feet.
Ver Magnussen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Drew Poorly is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Poorly shoots for a double leg takedown but Ver Magnussen sprawls well. He's pushed Poorly's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Torsten Ver Magnussen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Poorly clinches with his opponent.
A hook to the body from Poorly.
Poorly is pressed up against the cage. Ver Magnussen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Poorly down to the mat. Poorly avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Poorly closes the distance and clinches.
Poorly stops a takedown attempt from Ver Magnussen.
Torsten Ver Magnussen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ver Magnussen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Poorly avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Poorly lands with a right to the head.
Poorly working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

It looks like Torsten Ver Magnussen has been cut.
Poorly lands a shot to the body.

Poorly breaks from the clinch.

Ver Magnussen tries to keep at a distance but Poorly has taken the fight into the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ver Magnussen is working for takedown but Poorly is calmly controlling the position for now.
Poorly digs a right hand into Ver Magnussen's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ver Magnussen's gas tank.
Poorly managing to block the knees to the body from Ver Magnussen.
Poorly tries to score a body lock takedown but Ver Magnussen shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Drew Poorly comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Poorly 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 26:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 26:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Drew Poorly!
An out of breath Drew Poorly thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.