PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Menace Defoe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ludvig Ericsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Defoe comes to the cage accompanied by Bodies. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Defoe
vs
Ericsson

188 cm
24
213 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

186 cm
24
212 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Menace Defoe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ludvig Ericsson!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Chad Campbell and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ericsson misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Defoe to counter with a crisp jab.
Defoe lands with a straight right. Ericsson didn't see that one coming.
Ericsson wants to slow Defoe down by chopping away at his legs.
Defoe takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Ericsson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Defoe.
Defoe throws a right and a left that Ericsson avoids nicely.
Defoe connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Defoe tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Defoe pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Defoe tries to clinch there but Ericsson circles away.
Ericsson counters with a body kick.
Ericsson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Defoe. Defoe obviously looking to wear him down.
Ericsson has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Ericsson scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Good work by Defoe as he checks the leg kick.
Ericsson tries to move into range but Defoe moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Defoe definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Defoe moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Ericsson throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ericsson misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Defoe throws a lazy right hand but Ericsson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Defoe misses with a straight left.
Defoe displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ericsson throws out the jab.
Defoe throws a hook to the side of Ericsson's head but Ericsson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Defoe missing with a left hand there. Ericsson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ericsson misses with an uppercut. Defoe saw that one coming.
Defoe takes a swing at Ericsson's ribcage but misses.
Defoe scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ericsson doesn't seem bothered though.
Ericsson misses with a body kick.
Defoe throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ericsson misses the jab.
Ericsson closes the distance and clinches up with Defoe, looking for a takedown. Ericsson pushes Defoe against the cage but Defoe circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Defoe throws a body kick that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

Defoe gets caught flat footed, as Ericsson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Defoe keeping moving, preventing Ericsson from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Defoe utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Defoe controlling Ericsson's posture.
Ericsson trying to control the position from guard on top but Defoe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ericsson wants to pass the guard but Defoe is keeping the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ericsson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Defoe is trying to control the position but Ericsson postures up.
Ericsson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ericsson moves out of range of the strikes.
Ericsson with the counter takedown but Defoe avoids it easily.

Ericsson drives through and clinches with Defoe against the cage.
Defoe takes a shot to the head.
Defoe blocks a body shot from Ericsson.
A short right from Defoe.
Defoe lands a hook that snaps the head of Ericsson backwards.
Ericsson blocks an uppercut.
Defoe throws a punch but it's blocked by Ericsson.
Ericsson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Defoe lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Defoe misses with the head strike.
Defoe misses with the head strike.
Defoe lands with a left to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Defoe blocks a body shot from Ericsson.
A right hand to the body from Defoe.
Defoe misses with a punch to the body.
Ericsson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ericsson scores with a shot to the side of Defoe's head.
Ericsson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Defoe misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ericsson lands a body shot.
Ericsson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ericsson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Defoe working aggressively here.
Ericsson misses with a punch to the body.
Ericsson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ericsson working aggressively here.
Defoe misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ericsson misses with a punch on the inside.
Ericsson working aggressively here.
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 Menace Defoe will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Defoe looks to land a right hand but Ericsson moved out of range.
Menace Defoe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ericsson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Defoe manages to avoid it.
Defoe tries to clinch up.
Ericsson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Defoe throws out the jab.
Ericsson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Defoe.
Defoe fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Defoe misses with a hook.
Ericsson is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Ericsson goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Ericsson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ericsson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Menace Defoe has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Ericsson tries a body shot but Defoe blocks it.
A short left from Defoe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ericsson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Defoe misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ericsson prevents a body shot from Defoe.
Ericsson blocks an uppercut.
Defoe throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ericsson tries a body shot but Defoe blocks it.
Defoe misses with the head strike.
Ericsson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ericsson misses with the head strike.
Defoe swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Defoe scores with a hook to the body.
Ericsson lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Defoe blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Defoe cracks Ericsson with a nice body shot.
Ericsson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ericsson blocking some punches.
Ericsson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ericsson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ericsson lands a hook that snaps the head of Defoe backwards.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Ericsson.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ericsson.
Ericsson can't break the clinch.

Ericsson gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Defoe has one foot on Ericsson's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Menace Defoe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Defoe throws a jab when Ericsson was well out of range.
Defoe rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Ericsson counters with an outside leg kick.

Ericsson drives through with a takedown into Defoe's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Defoe avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ericsson content to stall in guard here.
Ericsson wants to control from the top but Defoe keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ericsson throws a big elbow that misses.
Ericsson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Defoe is keeping the position for now.
Defoe avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Ericsson stands up over Defoe, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Ericsson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Defoe has Ericsson pulled in close to control his posture.
Ericsson trying to control but Defoe is working from the bottom.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ericsson cracks Defoe with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Ericsson misses with a lunging right hand
and Defoe counters with a straight right hand.
Defoe throws a jab but it's blocked by Ericsson.
Ericsson doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Ericsson scores with a sloppy right hand. Defoe should have avoided that one.
Defoe is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Ericsson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Defoe doesn't seem bothered though.
Ericsson throws a leg kick but Defoe sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Defoe misses with a hook. Ericsson ducked under it nicely.
Ericsson misses with a low kick.
Defoe swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Defoe throws a looping overhand right but Ericsson ducks down to avoid it.
Ericsson throws a half hearted mid kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ludvig Ericsson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

A slapping leg kick lands for Ericsson.
A jab from Defoe misses.
Defoe misses with a hook
letting Ericsson counter with a right hand.
Defoe scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Defoe's jab looks to have found its range, popping Ericsson under the eye.
Ericsson fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Defoe has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ericsson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Defoe moves away.
Ericsson wants to slow Defoe down by chopping away at his legs.
A big right from Ericsson misses.
A quick step to the side and Defoe tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Defoe checks a low kick from Ericsson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ericsson fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Defoe swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ericsson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Defoe.
Nice straight punches there by Defoe. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Defoe.
Defoe moves out of range of the body kick from Ericsson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ericsson thumps Defoe with a low kick.
Defoe throws a head kick that misses.
Defoe misses with a hook.
Defoe scores with a nice strike.
Defoe throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Defoe throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Ericsson has closed the distance and engaged Defoe in a clinch.
Ericsson tries for a takedown but Defoe manages to get underhooks.
Ericsson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ericsson scores with a shot to the side of Defoe's head.
A nice left hand lands by Ericsson.
Ericsson goes for a takedown attempt but Defoe pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Defoe misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ericsson.
Defoe looks to land a combination but Ericsson avoids it well.
Defoe cracks Ericsson with an open hand slap.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Defoe pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Defoe throws a hook but Ericsson avoids it easily.
Defoe misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A big right from Defoe misses.
Defoe swings for the body but Ericsson moves out of range.
Defoe buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ericsson scores with a jab to the body.
Defoe takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

Ericsson closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Defoe quickly recovers to half guard.

Defoe has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Ericsson is on him like a limpet, forcing Defoe back against the cage.
Ericsson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Defoe's elbow.
Ericsson scores with a hook to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Defoe misses with some punches.
Defoe fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Defoe misses with the head strike.

Ericsson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ericsson tries to land a leg kick but Defoe saw it coming and moves away.
Ericsson looks to land a body kick but Defoe moved away.
Defoe swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Ericsson throws a low kick but Defoe moves out of range easily.
A swing and a miss from Defoe.
Defoe misses with a hook

and Ericsson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Defoe won't be happy with that.
Defoe is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Ericsson off and has taken his back!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Defoe is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Defoe is hanging on to Ericsson's back as he tries to escape.
Ericsson rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Ericsson tries to roll over but Defoe keeps him under control.
Ericsson trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Ericsson is trying desperately to improve position.
Ericsson bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

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 Menace Defoe.
I think Defoe has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 30:28
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 29:29
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Menace Defoe!
A relieved looking Menace Defoe thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.