PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Normand Cleveland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jan Bodahl (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Cleveland
vs
Bodahl

164 cm
27
193 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

184 cm
26
200 lbs
6 - 13 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Normand Cleveland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jan Bodahl!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Ian Loll and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bodahl tries to sprawl but Cleveland drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Cleveland is controlling the pace.
Bodahl tries to get to full guard but Cleveland has control of the leg.
Well, if Cleveland is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Bodahl is trying to get back to full guard.
Cleveland stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cleveland is thwarting Bodahl's attempts to control the position.
Cleveland trying to control the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cleveland wants to control but Bodahl is keeping him busy.
Cleveland performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Bodahl avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cleveland.
Cleveland is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Bodahl trying to control here.
Bodahl is staying active underneath Cleveland, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Cleveland sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bodahl defending well though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cleveland is figuring out what he wants to do next.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Bodahl shoots in looking for a takedown. Cleveland tries to sprawl out of it but Bodahl keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cleveland manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Cleveland shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Bodahl's guard.
Cleveland slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Cleveland has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Cleveland seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Bodahl for as long as he can get away with.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cleveland looking to pass the guard.
Cleveland stopping the sweep attempt from Bodahl.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Cleveland content to stall in guard here.
Cleveland stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bodahl swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cleveland postures up.
Cleveland trying to control but Bodahl is working from the bottom.
Cleveland sitting in guard here, content to control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Bodahl tries for a takedown but Cleveland sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Bodahl shoots in and gets a takedown into Cleveland's guard.

Cleveland has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Bodahl off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Bodahl shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Cleveland defends it nicely.
Cleveland appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Normand Cleveland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jan Bodahl.

Cleveland closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cleveland working the head with strikes.
Bodahl is trying to escape the position but Cleveland is controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bodahl wants to control but Cleveland postures up.
Cleveland is looking to take a break and control but Bodahl is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Normand Cleveland dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Cleveland feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Cleveland showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bodahl seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Cleveland is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Bodahl is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cleveland is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cleveland controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Cleveland really is a fat lump.
Cleveland is in close to Bodahl's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Cleveland not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
No luck for Bodahl with that takedown attempt.
Cleveland half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Bodahl tries to sprawl but Cleveland drives through with a takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cleveland wants to pass to mount but Bodahl is defending the position.
Bodahl is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Cleveland is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bodahl can do to turn this around?
Bodahl wants to get back to full guard.
Bodahl is trying to maintain the position but Cleveland is very close to passing his half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Cleveland in particular looking to stall.
Cleveland wants to take a breather but Bodahl is having none of it.
Cleveland throwing shots but Bodahl is blocking nicely.
Cleveland seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bodahl is staying active underneath Cleveland, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Cleveland stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cleveland wants it to stay on the feet.

Bodahl scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Cleveland tries to kick Bodahl off but Bodahl keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Bodahl is keen to just control but Cleveland is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cleveland pushes Bodahl off and gets back to his feet.

Cleveland closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Bodahl quickly recovers to half guard.
Bodahl is looking to control Cleveland's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Bodahl avoid being mounted?
Cleveland seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Bodahl is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Cleveland missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cleveland sitting and controlling from the half guard.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Cleveland.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Normand Cleveland dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Bodahl shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Cleveland defends it nicely.
Cleveland attempts a counter takedown but Bodahl avoids it well and moves away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bodahl.

Cleveland shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Cleveland was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Cleveland controls the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cleveland wants to control but Bodahl is keeping him busy.
Cleveland controls the position from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cleveland scoring with punches from side control.
Cleveland laying and praying for a moment but Bodahl takes advantage and regains half guard.
Cleveland with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Cleveland wants to control but Bodahl is keeping him busy.
Well, if Cleveland is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Cleveland is nestled in close to Bodahl, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

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.
Cleveland is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Cleveland continues to stall.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Cleveland connects with a nice short shot to Bodahl's temple.
Bodahl is looking to escape.
Cleveland is looking to take a break and control but Bodahl is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bodahl trying to control from the bottom.
Cleveland prevents Bodahl from improving his position.
Bodahl is looking to escape.

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

Cleveland looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Bodahl!
Cleveland staying calm.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cleveland continues to hold on tight.
You can see the frustration on Bodahl's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Cleveland trying to control the position but Bodahl is working away.
Bodahl is looking to reverse the position.
Cleveland taking a breather here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Cleveland's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Cleveland misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Jan Bodahl has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bodahl is not content to let Cleveland control the position.
Cleveland creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Bodahl sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Bodahl is looking for a sweep.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bodahl is being controlled here.
Bodahl manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Cleveland seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Normand Cleveland is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cleveland content to control rather than advance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Normand Cleveland showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Cleveland 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Normand Cleveland!