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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). Johan Axelsson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?
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| 183 cm
36
194 lbs
32 - 17 - 0 |
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190 cm
30
217 lbs
6 - 4 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
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Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed |
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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
32 - 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 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Holden Easterly!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, William Peck and Ian Loll.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Easterly tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Axelsson defends well and Easterly ends up having to push Axelsson into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Easterly swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Easterly has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Axelsson is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Easterly swings for the body but Axelsson moves out of range.
Easterly throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Easterly scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Axelsson doesn't seem bothered though.
Axelsson slips a jab from Easterly.
Easterly changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Axelsson tries to avoid it but Easterly manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Axelsson to the ground. Axelsson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Easterly shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Easterly is looking for a kimura here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Easterly seems to be working for a kimura but Axelsson defends the submission attempt.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Axelsson wants to improve his position but Easterly is controlling well.
The fighters are battling for position here. Axelsson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Axelsson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Axelsson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Axelsson trying to control the position.
Easterly trying to control the position from guard on top but Axelsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's two 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.
Easterly throws a big right hand that misses.
Easterly throws a big right hand that misses.
Axelsson keeping moving, preventing Easterly from controlling successfully.
Easterly is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Easterly with a flurry of punches that miss.
Easterly has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Axelsson trying to keep a closed guard but Easterly is proving a slippery customer.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Axelsson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Easterly circles away quickly and effectively.
Easterly pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A looping hook to the body misses from Easterly. Axelsson does a little dance to reset his feet.
A low kick from Easterly is predictable there
and Axelsson counters with a takedown into side control.
Easterly is looking to regain half guard here but Axelsson keeps moving and retains side control.
Axelsson is trying to get an arm triangle but Easterly is defending well.
Easterly is looking to regain half guard here but Axelsson keeps moving and retains side control.
Axelsson scores with a couple of short elbows.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Axelsson misses with the ground and pound.
Axelsson working the ground and pound from side control.
Axelsson working the head with strikes.
Easterly sneaks back into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Easterly is trying to control but can't.
Axelsson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Axelsson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Easterly is trying to maintain the position but Axelsson is very close to passing his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Johan Axelsson dominated that round.
That's time! Axelsson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Axelsson fails with a takedown attempt.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Axelsson.
Easterly missing with a left hand there. Axelsson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
No luck for Axelsson with that takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Easterly lands a glancing blow to the side of Axelsson's head.
Axelsson shoots in but no luck this time.
Easterly changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johan Axelsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Axelsson moves away from the strike by Easterly.
Easterly throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Axelsson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Axelsson went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Easterly swings for the body but Axelsson moves out of range.
Axelsson slips a straight right by Easterly.
Easterly lands with a right hand.
It looks like Johan Axelsson has been cut.
Easterly jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Easterly thows a left - swing and a miss!
Axelsson changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Axelsson fails with a takedown attempt.
Easterly with the counter takedown but Axelsson avoids it easily.
Holden Easterly seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Axelsson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Axelsson takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Axelsson throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Easterly throws out a loose jab but Axelsson uses good head movement to avoid it.
It looked like Axelsson wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Johan Axelsson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Easterly throws an overhand right that lands on Axelsson's shoulder, as Axelsson tries to avoid the shot.
Axelsson appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Axelsson dives in for a single leg takedown but Easterly sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Axelsson fails with the takedown
so Easterly counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Axelsson is controlling Easterly's posture.
Easterly drops back looking for a leg! Axelsson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Axelsson manages to kick Easterly off! Easterly jumps back into Axelsson's guard.
Easterly slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Axelsson is looking to reverse the position.
Axelsson can't do much from the bottom here.
Easterly wants to control but Axelsson is keeping him busy.
Johan Axelsson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Easterly throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Axelsson works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Easterly is looking to advance position but Axelsson won't allow it.
Easterly prevents Axelsson from improving his position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Easterly is looking to stall here but Axelsson recovers full guard.
Easterly wants to control from the top but Axelsson keeps moving.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Axelsson is on top in guard.
Easterly escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Axelsson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
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.
Holden Easterly showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Johan Axelsson's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!
Easterly closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Axelsson regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Easterly.
Axelsson keeping full guard, as Easterly tries to pass.
Axelsson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Easterly doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Easterly manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Axelsson wants to sweep but no luck.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Easterly trying to control the position from guard on top but Axelsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Axelsson keeping full guard, as Easterly tries to pass.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Easterly trying to control the position from guard on top but Axelsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Axelsson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Axelsson wants to work for an arm triangle but Easterly is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Axelsson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Axelsson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Easterly with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Axelsson content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Easterly is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Axelsson jumps into side control!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Easterly is looking for a sweep.
Axelsson is putting a hurting on Easterly here, landing some big shots from side control.
Axelsson is putting a hurting on Easterly here, landing some big shots from side control.
Axelsson wants to control but Easterly is keeping him busy.
Easterly is looking for a sweep.
Axelsson is chipping away with strikes.
Easterly is looking to regain half guard here but Axelsson keeps moving and retains side control.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Axelsson is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Easterly tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Axelsson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Easterly knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Easterly tries to buck Axelsson off but Axelsson is having none of it.
That's four 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.
Axelsson working away.
Axelsson swings around for an armbar but Easterly sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Axelsson's guard.
Easterly trying to control but Axelsson is working from the bottom.
Axelsson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Easterly wants to control from the top but Axelsson keeps moving.
Easterly drops back looking for a leg! Axelsson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Axelsson manages to kick Easterly off! Easterly jumps back into Axelsson's guard.
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 Johan Axelsson.
I think Axelsson 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Peck scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johan Axelsson!
A very excited looking Johan Axelsson made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
30% |
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