PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Bruce Banner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nils Holgersson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Holgersson is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Theme. Bruce Banner could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Nils Holgersson's chin.

Banner
vs
Holgersson

165 cm
35
145 lbs
17 - 16 - 0

169 cm
35
157 lbs
27 - 19 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

My$tic Clothing ~ (`10%Laundry`)
Amped Performance

My$tic Clothing ~ (`10%Laundry`)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bruce Banner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Nils Holgersson!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Jorge Garcia and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banner rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Holgersson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Holgersson tries to counter with a clinch but Banner shakes him off and moves away.
Banner tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Holgersson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Banner throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

so Holgersson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Banner is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Banner looking for a guillotine here but Holgersson defends easily.
Holgersson trying to control but Banner is working from the bottom.
Holgersson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Holgersson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holgersson trying to control but Banner is working from the bottom.
Holgersson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Banner working for a triangle but Holgersson defends it easily.
Holgersson content to stall in guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banner is trying to keep Holgersson in close.
Holgersson controls from within his opponent's guard.
Holgersson trying to control the position from guard on top but Banner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Banner is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Banner working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Holgersson.

Banner had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Holgersson defends it easily.
Holgersson has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at MM eh Academy. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Holgersson is working Banner over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Banner 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.
Banner keeping moving, preventing Holgersson from controlling successfully.
Holgersson stops Banner from standing up.
Holgersson working some strikes from top position.
Holgersson wants to control from the top but Banner keeps moving.

Banner is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Banner looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Holgersson trying to control the position from guard on top but Banner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Banner 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holgersson trying to control but Banner is working from the bottom.
Holgersson is working Banner over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Holgersson throws an elbow that misses. Banner uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Holgersson's guard. Nice move by Banner!

Banner wants to control from the top but Holgersson keeps moving.
Holgersson looking for a sweep. Not yet Holgersson, not yet.
Banner not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Banner wants to stand but Holgersson is controlling his posture from full guard.
Holgersson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Banner wants to control from the top but Holgersson keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holgersson controls Banner momentarily but Banner frees himself.
Holgersson keeping full guard, as Banner tries to pass.
Holgersson pulls Banner in to control the position.
Holgersson working a defensive guard here.
Holgersson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Banner trying to control but Holgersson is working from the bottom.
Holgersson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Holgersson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Banner defends it easily.
Banner wants to control from the top but Holgersson keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Nils Holgersson will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Banner tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Holgersson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Holgersson with the counter takedown but Banner avoids it easily.
Holgersson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Banner. Banner circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Banner tries to clinch but Holgersson moves out of range.

Holgersson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Holgersson prevents a body shot from Banner.
Banner pressing his opponent against the cage.
Banner controlling the action here for a moment.
Holgersson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Banner.
Banner lands a body punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holgersson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Holgersson wants a takedown but no success here.
Banner managing to block the knees to the body from Holgersson.
Banner is trying to stall.
Banner creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holgersson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Holgersson misses with some punches.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Holgersson.
Banner is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Banner lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Holgersson putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Banner in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Banner misses with a body punch.
Banner lands an elbow inside that Holgersson shrugs off.
Holgersson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Banner tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Holgersson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Banner lands a damaging elbow.

It looks like Nils Holgersson has been cut.
Holgersson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Banner's elbow.
Banner manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Banner's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
A short uppercut from Holgersson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Holgersson is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Holgersson takes an elbow to the temple.
Holgersson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Banner avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Bruce Banner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nils Holgersson.
Holgersson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Banner using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Holgersson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Banner misses with an elbow over the top.
Banner misses with a hook from the clinch.
Holgersson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Banner avoids it.
Banner tries to throw a body punch but Holgersson avoids it by throwing Banner back against the cage.
Holgersson blocks an elbow strike from Banner.
Banner trying to stall but Holgersson improves his position.
Holgersson blocks the elbow strike.
Holgersson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Holgersson is struggling to control the position.
Banner tries to stall but Holgersson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Banner throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holgersson can't get the takedown.
Holgersson has Banner pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Banner manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Nils Holgersson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Banner wants to stall.
Banner blocking some punches.
A right handed body shot lands from Banner.
Holgersson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Holgersson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Banner on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Banner misses with an elbow strike.
Holgersson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Banner unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Holgersson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Banner gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Banner throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Banner tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Holgersson's elbow.
A knee to the head by Holgersson.
Banner pushes off an throws an elbow but Holgersson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banner pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Banner creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Holgersson lands a nice uppercut.
Holgersson blocks an elbow strike.
Holgersson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Banner avoiding damage as Holgersson throws knees to the body.
Holgersson trying to stall but Banner improves his position.
Holgersson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Banner is defending well for now.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Banner pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Banner is looking to control Holgersson's arms but Holgersson gets an underhook and turns him. Now Banner has his back to the cage.
Holgersson goes for a takedown attempt but Banner pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Banner tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Holgersson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Banner looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Holgersson wants to clinch up but Banner keeps it at a distance.
Holgersson needs to keep his hands up - Banner had a free shot at his head there.
Holgersson just misses with a punch to the body.
Banner doesn't manage to clinch there - Holgersson circles away.

Banner fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Holgersson, pushing him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nils Holgersson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Nils Holgersson's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Banner lands an overhand right.
Banner scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Banner throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Holgersson.
Banner is looking to clinch but Holgersson is avoiding it.
Holgersson thinks about the counter body kick.
Banner fails with an attempt to clinch.

Banner takes the fight into the clinch.
Banner pushes Holgersson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Banner gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Holgersson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Holgersson.
Banner blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Banner misses with a knee strike.
Holgersson is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Banner is defending well.
Holgersson blocks an elbow strike from Banner.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Holgersson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Banner avoids it.
Holgersson trying to land knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banner content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Holgersson gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Banner scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Holgersson manages to mount him!
Holgersson prevents Banner from getting the reversal.
Holgersson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Banner tries to hold on but Holgersson pushes him away.
Banner bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

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

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Holgersson trying to control the position but Banner is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Holgersson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Holgersson working the ground and pound from side control.
Banner looking for a sweep but Holgersson has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Banner sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Banner has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Holgersson is working away from the top position though.
Nils Holgersson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Banner is not content to let Holgersson control the position.

Banner looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Holgersson is working for a kimura but Banner is defending it quite comfortably.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holgersson trying to control the pace.
Nils Holgersson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Banner looking for submissions off his back.
Banner wants to control but Holgersson is keeping busy.
Banner is trying to stand up here but Holgersson is controlling him well.
Bruce Banner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish 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.
Nice strikes from Holgersson there.

Banner looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Banner is looking to improve his position.

Holgersson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Holgersson slips a nice elbow through Banner's hands, connecting with Banner's forehead.
Holgersson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Holgersson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Banner is refusing to be controlled, as Holgersson sits in half guard.
Holgersson scoring with strikes to the body and head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nils Holgersson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Holgersson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nils Holgersson!
Nils Holgersson decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.