PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Johan Axelsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Holden Easterly (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Axelsson
vs
Easterly

183 cm
36
194 lbs
31 - 17 - 0

190 cm
29
217 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Reaper Combatwear

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 31 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Johan Axelsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Holden Easterly!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Trevor Gratis and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Axelsson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Easterly is fending him off so far but Axelsson persists. Nope, Easterly circles away and we're back to standing.
A slow jab from Easterly misses its intended target.
Axelsson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Easterly defends well and Axelsson ends up having to push Easterly into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Easterly as Axelsson shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johan Axelsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Easterly throws a sloppy body shot

and Axelsson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Easterly throws a head punch that misses.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Easterly has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Easterly misses with a punch on the inside.

Axelsson has hold of one of Easterly's legs. Easterly is fighting the takedown attempt but Axelsson gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Easterly pushes Axelsson off and gets back to his feet.
Easterly connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Axelsson's hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Axelsson moves out of range of the leg kick from Easterly.
Easterly defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Axelsson.
Axelsson lands a lovely overhand right.
Nice defenses there by Axelsson.
Axelsson changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Holden Easterly is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Easterly walks into a straight right hand from Axelsson.

Axelsson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Axelsson controlling the position from side mount.
Easterly tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Axelsson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Easterly is trying to control Axelsson's posture but Axelsson avoids it.
Axelsson scores with a couple of short elbows.
Easterly sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Axelsson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Easterly keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Easterly actively working from the bottom here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Easterly keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Easterly has hold of Axelsson's hands but Axelsson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Axelsson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Easterly keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Axelsson sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Axelsson is trying to control. Easterly wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The fighters are battling for position here. Easterly manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Easterly working a defensive guard here.

Easterly is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Axelsson defends well.
Easterly tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Easterly keeping moving, preventing Axelsson from controlling successfully.
Easterly is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Easterly throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Easterly looks to land a right hand but Axelsson moved out of range.
Easterly keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Axelsson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Axelsson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Easterly is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Holden Easterly will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Easterly throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Easterly looks to score with a jab to the body but Axelsson is just out of range.
Axelsson avoids the body shot from Easterly.
The fighters circle momentarily. Easterly darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Axelsson manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Easterly on his heels. He'll look to pass Easterly's guard now, I'm sure.
Axelsson being controlled here momentarily.
Axelsson distracts Easterly with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Easterly looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Axelsson is working Easterly over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Easterly is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Easterly is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Axelsson is controlling him.
Axelsson advances to half guard.
Axelsson slips a nice elbow through Easterly's hands, connecting with Easterly's forehead.
Johan Axelsson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Easterly is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Easterly scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Axelsson manages to mount him!
Axelsson is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Easterly can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Axelsson has hold of Easterly's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Easterly manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Axelsson raining down hammerfists from mount.

Axelsson jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Easterly manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Easterly is working to avoid the ground and pound but Axelsson connects with a decent elbow.
Axelsson lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Easterly tries to buck Axelsson off but Axelsson is having none of it.
Easterly is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Axelsson controlling the position from side mount.
Axelsson working away.
Axelsson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Easterly keeps working.
Easterly is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Easterly sneaks back into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Easterly wants to improve his position but Axelsson is controlling well.
Easterly has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Axelsson is working away from the top position though.
Easterly gets full guard.
Easterly trying to keep a closed guard but Axelsson is proving a slippery customer.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Easterly has momentary wrist control but Axelsson slips an elbow through the middle.
Axelsson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Easterly wants to sweep here but Axelsson controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johan Axelsson dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Axelsson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Easterly gets caught flat footed, as Axelsson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Easterly pushes Axelsson off and scrambles back to his feet.
Easterly misses with a straight left.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Axelsson.
A swing and a miss from Axelsson.
Easterly swings for the body but Axelsson moves out of range.
Easterly throws a hook but Axelsson avoids it easily.
A little feinted left hand from Axelsson on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Axelsson tries for a takedown but Easterly sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Axelsson tries to clinch there but Easterly circles away.
Easterly throws a left and a right that both miss
and Axelsson counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Easterly throws a looping overhand right but Axelsson ducks down to avoid it.
Axelsson shoots for a double leg takedown but Easterly sprawls well. He's pushed Axelsson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Easterly throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Axelsson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Axelsson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Easterly tries to roll over but Axelsson keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Axelsson is trying to control. Easterly wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Easterly trying to control from the bottom.
Easterly is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Axelsson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Easterly wants to get back to his feet.
Axelsson works his way into side control.
Easterly is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Axelsson's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Easterly is not content to let Axelsson control the position.
Easterly works his way to full guard. Good work.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Axelsson here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.

Easterly pushes Axelsson off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Easterly lands with a shot to the body.
Axelsson shoots in looking for a takedown but Easterly manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Axelsson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johan Axelsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Easterly throws the left hand but Axelsson avoids the punch easily.
Axelsson fails to land the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Easterly throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Axelsson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Easterly lands a body shot.
Easterly attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

Axelsson moves into range and clinches up with Easterly.
Easterly digs a right hand into Axelsson's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Axelsson's gas tank.
Axelsson lands a nice shot to the body.
Easterly fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Easterly working aggressively here.
Axelsson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Easterly tries to throw a body punch but Axelsson avoids it by throwing Easterly back against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Holden Easterly comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Easterly has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:29
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 29:28

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