PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sigurd Ragnarsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eli Armis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Ragnarsson might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to The Animal. Armis is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Mortal Kombat Theme. Sigurd Ragnarsson had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Ragnarsson
vs
Armis

165 cm
28
160 lbs
16 - 5 - 1

165 cm
38
145 lbs
32 - 17 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

****160Q Energy for $150****
Voodoo Nutrition

Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sigurd Ragnarsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 17 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Eli Armis!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Jorge Garcia and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Armis throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ragnarsson tries to counter with a takedown but Armis is quick to defend against it.

Ragnarsson 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.
Armis seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Ragnarsson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Armis holding on.
The referee asks Ragnarsson politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Ragnarsson prefers to stall for the moment though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Armis is trying to control Ragnarsson's posture but Ragnarsson avoids it.
Armis is letting Ragnarsson control him for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Armis gets back to half guard.

Armis actively working from the bottom here.
Armis trying to hold on to Ragnarsson's head to control him but Ragnarsson postures up.
Ragnarsson is looking to pass Armis's guard but actually Armis recovers to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Armis is trying to keep Ragnarsson in close.
Ragnarsson trying to control but Armis is working from the bottom.
Ragnarsson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Armis keeping moving, preventing Ragnarsson from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Armis lands with a straight right. Ragnarsson didn't see that one coming.
Ragnarsson cracks Armis with an open hand slap.
Ragnarsson takes one to the chin there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Ragnarsson.
Armis is looking for a sweep.
Armis wants to control but Ragnarsson postures up.
Armis is trying to get back to half guard.
Armis is still trying to improve position.

Ragnarsson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Armis, who protects the arm well.
Armis tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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Ragnarsson goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Armis has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Ragnarsson but great work by Armis.
Armis laying and praying for a moment but Ragnarsson takes advantage and regains half guard.
Armis works his foot free and advances to mount.
Ragnarsson is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Roosters Coop, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Armis wants to take his opponent's back but Ragnarsson doesn't allow it.
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 Sigurd Ragnarsson will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ragnarsson takes a swing at Armis's ribcage but misses.
Armis digs a good hook to Ragnarsson's body.
Ragnarsson closes the distance and clinches up with Armis, looking for a takedown. Ragnarsson pushes Armis against the cage but Armis circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ragnarsson misses the shot to the body.
Armis thows a left - swing and a miss!
Armis scores with a jab to the head.
Armis lands a jab.
Ragnarsson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Armis throws out the jab.
Armis throws a good cross that connects.
Ragnarsson throws a jab but it's blocked by Armis.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ragnarsson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ragnarsson connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Armis momentarily.
Ragnarsson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Armis uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ragnarsson.
Armis drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Ragnarsson defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Armis scores with a jab to the body.
Ragnarsson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Armis misses with a looping right.
Armis bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Armis looks to land a combination. Ragnarsson sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Armis keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ragnarsson tries to move into range but Armis moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Ragnarsson throws a jab but it's blocked by Armis.
Armis thuds his right hand into Ragnarsson's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Armis lands with a nice combination. Ragnarsson backs away looking to recover.
Armis has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Armis tries for a takedown but Ragnarsson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ragnarsson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Armis.
Ragnarsson shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Armis eats them both and turns towards Ragnarsson to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Armis just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Armis feints the counter takedown.
Eli Armis seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Armis looks to score with a jab to the body but Ragnarsson is just out of range.
Ragnarsson throws a jab but it's blocked by Armis.
Ragnarsson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Armis moves away.
Nice takedown defense from Armis. No joy for Ragnarsson on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sigurd Ragnarsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Armis drives through with a takedown into guard.
Armis pushing down on Ragnarsson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Armis wants to control but Ragnarsson is keeping him busy.
Armis frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Armis looking to control but Ragnarsson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Armis pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Armis looking to control but Ragnarsson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Armis is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Armis goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Ragnarsson is on top in guard.
Armis managing to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Armis is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ragnarsson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Armis throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ragnarsson trying to control but Armis is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eli Armis showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

A telegraphed right hand from Armis misses the target.
Ragnarsson attempts a counter takedown but Armis avoids it well and moves away.

Armis drives through with a takedown into guard.
Armis passes Ragnarsson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Armis has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Armis is trying to work for a kimura but Ragnarsson is defending well.
Ragnarsson wants to improve his position but Armis is controlling well.

Armis is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ragnarsson is just riding it out for now. Armis eventually gives up the hold.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Armis is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Ragnarsson reverses the position - he's now on top in Armis's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ragnarsson pushes down on Armis's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Ragnarsson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Armis actively working from the bottom here.

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.
Armis won't allow Ragnarsson to pass to mount.

Armis looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Ragnarsson pushes past his half guard into mount!
Ragnarsson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Armis is looking to escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ragnarsson swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Armis is now in Ragnarsson's guard. A big mistake from Ragnarsson there, giving up the dominant position!
Ragnarsson keeping moving, preventing Armis from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Armis looking to pass the guard.

Ragnarsson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Armis is aware though and is defending well.
Ragnarsson keeping moving, preventing Armis from controlling successfully.
Armis is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Ragnarsson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Armis manages to get himself to full guard.

Ragnarsson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ragnarsson trying to control but Armis is working from the bottom.
Ragnarsson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Armis swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Ragnarsson drops back, looking for a kneebar! Armis looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Armis looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Armis!

Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Armis works to advance to full mount. Ragnarsson defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eli Armis really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Armis keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Armis scores with a punch to the head.
Armis uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ragnarsson has time to react.
Ragnarsson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
And Armis tries to counter it with a takedown but Ragnarsson pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Armis keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ragnarsson.
Armis tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Eli Armis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ragnarsson goes for a double leg but Armis avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Armis continues to drive forward.
Armis stuns Ragnarsson with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Armis misses with a hook to the body

and Ragnarsson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Armis won't be happy with that.
Ragnarsson has control of an arm but Armis manages to advance to Ragnarsson's back!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Armis is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
You can see the frustration on Ragnarsson's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Ragnarsson tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Armis tries to control but Ragnarsson wriggling away.
Eli Armis has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ragnarsson is working to get back to half guard.
Armis wants to take Ragnarsson's back but he can't do it this time.

Ragnarsson defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Armis.
Ragnarsson is trying to escape the mount.
Ragnarsson is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Armis can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Ragnarsson is looking to escape.
Armis pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Ragnarsson is in all sorts of trouble here.
Armis can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Ragnarsson is looking to escape.
Armis is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Ragnarsson is in real trouble.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Armis trying to control momentarily.

Ragnarsson defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Ragnarsson looking very determined here, making life difficult for Armis.
Armis keeps control of the position as Ragnarsson tries to break free.
Ragnarsson looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Armis. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

Armis is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Ragnarsson is defending well though. Armis let's go of the attempt for now.
Well, with Armis on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Ragnarsson is tapping out... Can he escape the position?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Armis wants to control but Ragnarsson is keeping busy.

Ragnarsson preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Armis.

Armis has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Armis is not going to allow Ragnarsson to sit and survive in this position.
Ragnarsson wants to escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eli Armis dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Ragnarsson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Armis scores with a sloppy right hand. Ragnarsson should have avoided that one.
Armis with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Ragnarsson gets a double leg takedown into Armis's guard.

Ragnarsson has gone for a leg lock! Armis slips out almost immediately though and dives into Ragnarsson's guard.

Ragnarsson can't keep his opponent in guard - Armis advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Ragnarsson has a hand on Armis's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Armis takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Armis tries to control but Ragnarsson wriggling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Armis swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Ragnarsson is now in Armis's guard. A big mistake from Armis there, giving up the dominant position!
Ragnarsson looking to pass the guard.

Ragnarsson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Armis has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ragnarsson has managed to get both his arms back between Armis's legs - danger averted.
Ragnarsson forces his way into half guard.

Armis is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ragnarsson pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Armis trying to control from the bottom.
Ragnarsson trying to control the pace.
Armis trying to control from the bottom.

Ragnarsson looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Ragnarsson is just content to waste time from the top position. Armis takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ragnarsson trying to control but Armis is working from the bottom.
Armis not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Ragnarsson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Sigurd Ragnarsson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Eli Armis is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Armis managing to control the position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Ragnarsson trying to control the position from guard on top but Armis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Armis scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Ragnarsson swings for the body but Armis moves out of range.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Armis jabs at Ragnarsson's body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Armis. Ragnarsson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ragnarsson half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Armis throws an overhand right that lands on Ragnarsson's shoulder, as Ragnarsson tries to avoid the shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eli Armis comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Armis 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 46:49
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 46:49
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eli Armis!
Eli Armis decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.