PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ludvig Ericsson (ranked 440 p4p, 68 weight class) and Jake Theodorou (ranked 455 p4p, 70 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Ericsson
vs
Theodorou

186 cm
29
212 lbs
13 - 8 - 0

185 cm
38
214 lbs
32 - 13 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Aspire Clothing
FORCEE

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 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ludvig Ericsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 13 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jake Theodorou!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Steven Brown and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ericsson.
Theodorou looks to land a left hand but Ericsson moved out of range nicely.
Theodorou works the jab nicely.
Theodorou throws a right hand that misses
and Ericsson counters with a slapping leg kick.
We've been informed that Theodorou has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Nice jab there from Theodorou.
Theodorou throws a hook but Ericsson avoids it easily.
Ericsson connects with a leg kick. Theodorou looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Theodorou moves out of range of the body kick.
Ericsson keeps Theodorou at a distance using the push kick.
Theodorou fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Ericsson checks it well.
Ericsson lands an overhand right.
Theodorou shoots in looking for a takedown but Ericsson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Theodorou's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ericsson was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Theodorou fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Theodorou fails to land with a series of punches.
Ericsson throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Theodorou misses with an uppercut. Ericsson saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ericsson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Theodorou 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.
Ericsson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ericsson has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Theodorou postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Ericsson 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.
Theodorou wants to improve his position but Ericsson is controlling well.
Ericsson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Theodorou blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ericsson.
Ericsson wants to pass to mount but Theodorou is defending the position.
Theodorou trying to control but Ericsson postures up.
Ericsson controlling the action here.
Theodorou has his hands clasped together around Ericsson's back. He's all about the action.
Ericsson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Theodorou's head.
Ericsson with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ericsson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Ericsson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Theodorou wants to improve his position but Ericsson is controlling well.
Theodorou keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Theodorou tries to get to full guard but Ericsson has control of the leg.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's four 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.
Ericsson is looking to advance position but Theodorou won't allow it.
Ericsson wants to control but Theodorou is keeping him busy.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Theodorou is looking to improve his position.
Theodorou trying to hold on to Ericsson's head to control him but Ericsson postures up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Theodorou misses with a body shot.
Theodorou tries for a takedown but Ericsson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Jake Theodorou seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Theodorou swings widly with a right hand
and Ericsson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ericsson throws a low kick but Theodorou moves out of range easily.
Ericsson throws a nice inside leg kick.
Theodorou throws a shot from downtown. Ericsson moves away and avoids it.
Ericsson throws a push kick but Theodorou slaps the foot to one side.
Theodorou tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ericsson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Theodorou somewhat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ludvig Ericsson dominated that round.
That's time! Ericsson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Theodorou fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Ericsson to the ground. Theodorou is now in Ericsson's guard.
Ericsson wants to sweep here but Theodorou controlling him for the moment.
Theodorou throws a big elbow that misses.
Theodorou stopping the sweep attempt from Ericsson.
Theodorou postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Theodorou postures up in Ericsson's guard and throws a big left but Ericsson blocks it.
Theodorou lands a couple of digs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ericsson lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Ericsson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Theodorou keeping moving, preventing Ericsson from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ericsson with a nice head shot there.
Theodorou keeping moving, preventing Ericsson from controlling successfully.
Theodorou manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ericsson manages to get himself to full guard.

Ericsson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Theodorou missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Theodorou chips away with some ground and pound.
Ericsson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Theodorou is one step ahead there.
Theodorou with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Theodorou trying to control the position from guard on top but Ericsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ericsson looking for a sweep. Not yet Ericsson, not yet.
Ericsson is working hard here to advance position.
Theodorou in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Ericsson wants to sweep here but Theodorou controlling him for the moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Theodorou tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ericsson defends well and Theodorou ends up having to push Ericsson into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ericsson.
Ericsson throws a head kick that half lands.

It looks like Jake Theodorou has been cut.
Ericsson connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ericsson thows a leg kick but Theodorou checks it

and Theodorou counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Theodorou.
Theodorou is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Theodorou postures up.
Ericsson looking for a sweep. Not yet Ericsson, not yet.
Theodorou looking to sit in guard and control but Ericsson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Theodorou controlling Ericsson's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ericsson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ericsson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ericsson scoring with some ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ericsson stands up over Theodorou, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Ericsson postures up in Theodorou's guard and throws a big left but Theodorou blocks it.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Theodorou is on top in guard.

Ericsson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Theodorou lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Theodorou landing some decent shots from guard.
Theodorou throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ericsson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jake Theodorou will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Jake Theodorou'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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Ericsson misses with a kick to the body.
Theodorou shoots in for a takedown but Ericsson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ericsson throwing a counter right hand but Theodorou manages to avoid it.
Theodorou throws a looping overhand right but Ericsson ducks down to avoid it.

Ericsson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Theodorou wants to get back to full guard.
Ericsson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Theodorou trying to control from the bottom.
Ericsson is controlling the pace.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ericsson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ericsson winds up and cracks Theodorou with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Theodorou is looking for a sweep. Ericsson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Theodorou controlling the position well.
Theodorou is not content to let Ericsson control the position.
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. Ericsson connects with a nice short shot to Theodorou's temple.

That's two 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.
Ericsson lands with a punch from half guard.
Ludvig Ericsson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ericsson is trying to control the action in half guard but Theodorou is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Ericsson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Theodorou tries to roll over but Ericsson keeps him under control.
Ericsson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Theodorou's head.
Theodorou wants to get back to full guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Ericsson in particular looking to stall.
Theodorou trying to control from the bottom.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Ericsson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Theodorou defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Theodorou keeps control of the position for the meantime.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Theodorou fails with the takedown
and Ericsson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ludvig Ericsson is winning the standup battle so far.
Ericsson lets loose with a powerful body kick. Theodorou will feel that in the morning.
Theodorou takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ericsson lands an overhand right.
Ericsson misses with a body kick.
Theodorou avoids the body shot from Ericsson.
Theodorou walks forward, straight into a front kick from Ericsson.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Ericsson.
Ericsson scores with a jab. Theodorou acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Theodorou connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Ericsson momentarily.
Theodorou tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ericsson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Theodorou somewhat.
Ludvig Ericsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jake Theodorou.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Theodorou misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ericsson scores with a hook.
Ericsson throws a right and a left that Theodorou avoids nicely.
Ericsson moves away from the strike by Theodorou.
Ericsson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Theodorou.
Theodorou throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Theodorou throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Theodorou closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Ericsson to the mat! Ericsson manages to get full guard.
Theodorou missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ericsson is adopting a defensive guard.
Ericsson has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ludvig Ericsson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ericsson 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ludvig Ericsson!