PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bragi Ragnarson (ranked 1853 p4p, 225 weight class) and Levon Minasian (ranked 1249 p4p, 158 weight class). Ragnarson's entrance music is The Pretender. A fine choice. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ragnarson
vs
Minasian

195 cm
27
273 lbs
15 - 6 - 1

195 cm
24
246 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

Aspire Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bragi Ragnarson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Levon Minasian!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Steven Brown and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ragnarson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Minasian at a distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Minasian blocks a body shot from Ragnarson.

Minasian gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Minasian tries to free his leg and advance position but Ragnarson is retaining full guard.
Minasian postures up and lands a big shot to Ragnarson's brow.
Minasian engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Minasian trying to control the position from guard on top but Ragnarson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Minasian trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Minasian missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Minasian wants to control from the top but Ragnarson keeps moving.
Ragnarson is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minasian with a nice head shot there.
Ragnarson trying to keep a closed guard but Minasian is proving a slippery customer.
Minasian missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Minasian wants to control from the top but Ragnarson keeps moving.
Minasian is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Minasian works over Ragnarson with some ground and pound from guard.
Minasian postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Minasian working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ragnarson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Minasian throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Minasian trying to control but Ragnarson is working from the bottom.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Minasian has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Minasian might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Ragnarson haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Minasian's coach down at Gym Amsterdam was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Minasian's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Minasian throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ragnarson stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Minasian misses with the combination.
Minasian shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Ragnarson eats them both and turns towards Minasian to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Minasian takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A low kick from Ragnarson is predictable there

so Minasian counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Minasian throwing strikes but missing.
Minasian trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Minasian's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Ragnarson trying to keep a closed guard but Minasian is proving a slippery customer.
Minasian working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Minasian scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Ragnarson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Minasian accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Minasian throws a strike but Ragnarson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Minasian has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Ragnarson has passed into side control.
Ragnarson trying to control the action but Minasian is working from the bottom.
Minasian is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Minasian is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Ragnarson off and has taken his back!
Even with his hooks in, Minasian manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Ragnarson surviving as best he can, preventing damage.
Ragnarson looking very determined here, making life difficult for Minasian.

Minasian is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Ragnarson is defending well though. Minasian let's go of the attempt for now.
Minasian thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Levon Minasian dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ragnarson throws a body punch but Minasian moves out of range.
Minasian changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Minasian bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Ragnarson's head backwards.
Ragnarson throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Minasian counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Minasian is looking to stall here but Ragnarson recovers full guard.
Ragnarson keeping moving, preventing Minasian from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Minasian stands up over Ragnarson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Minasian distracts Ragnarson 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.
Minasian throws an elbow that misses. Ragnarson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Minasian's guard. Nice move by Ragnarson!

Minasian looking for a guillotine here but Ragnarson defends easily.
Ragnarson preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Minasian throws his legs up looking for a submission but Ragnarson uses it to pass to side control.
Levon Minasian has got the better of the ground game so far.

Ragnarson decides to stand up, so the ref orders Minasian to his feet.
Ragnarson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Minasian blocks the body kick.
Ragnarson lets loose with a powerful body kick. Minasian will feel that in the morning.
Ragnarson looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ragnarson tries a head kick but it misses.
Bragi Ragnarson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ragnarson closes the distance but Minasian moves to the side
and Minasian counters with a stiff right hand.
Minasian throws out a loose jab but Ragnarson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ragnarson throws a head kick that misses
and Minasian counters with a stiff right hand.
Minasian has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Minasian throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ragnarson sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Minasian keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ragnarson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Minasian. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Ragnarson takes a swing at Minasian's ribcage but misses.
Minasian looks to throw the jab but Ragnarson is out of range.
Ragnarson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Ragnarson lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Levon Minasian seems to be getting the better of the standup.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ragnarson with a nice cross.
Minasian throws a lazy uppercut
and Ragnarson counters with a nice leg kick.
Ragnarson tries to land a body kick
and Minasian cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Minasian lands with a cross.

Minasian shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Minasian showed some decent athleticism there.
Ragnarson wants to improve his position but Minasian is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Minasian is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Minasian missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Minasian is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ragnarson sees it coming and defends easily.
Minasian thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ragnarson's head.
Minasian is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Minasian is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Minasian throws a strike but Ragnarson avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Minasian loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Minasian throws a big right hand that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Minasian accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Minasian pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ragnarson is keeping the position for now.
Ragnarson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Minasian postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Minasian trying to control but Ragnarson is working from the bottom.
Minasian landing with the ground and pound.
Ragnarson is trying to control the position but Minasian postures up.
Minasian in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Minasian trying to control but Ragnarson is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Levon Minasian showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Minasian drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Minasian postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Minasian throwing strikes but Ragnarson manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Minasian is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Minasian tries to get to full guard but Ragnarson has control of the leg.
Minasian wants to get back to full guard but Ragnarson has passed into side control.
Minasian dodges the ground and pound from Ragnarson.
Minasian wants to control but Ragnarson postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minasian tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ragnarson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Minasian manages to get back to half guard.
Minasian tries to get to full guard but Ragnarson has control of the leg.
Ragnarson content to control rather than advance.
Ragnarson prevents Minasian from improving his position.
Minasian is trying to control but can't.
Ragnarson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Minasian does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Minasian is looking for a sweep. Ragnarson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Levon Minasian is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Minasian is looking to control Ragnarson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Minasian avoid being mounted?
Minasian is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Minasian makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Minasian.
Minasian has his hands on Ragnarson's head, controlling the position.
Let's hope that Minasian has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minasian throws out a powerful jab.
Ragnarson stuffs the takedown attempt from Minasian. Minasian gets slowly back to his feet.
A bone on bone clash there as Minasian blocks the leg kick.
Bragi Ragnarson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Decent striking displayed by Ragnarson there.
Ragnarson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Minasian is out of range and Ragnarson settles back down.
Ragnarson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Ragnarson throws a front kick aimed at Minasian's knee but Minasian avoids it well.
Ragnarson lands a front kick.
Ragnarson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ragnarson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Minasian was well out of range. Poor timing from Ragnarson.
Ragnarson misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Ragnarson is predictable there

and Minasian decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ragnarson's guard.
Minasian seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Minasian is continuing to stall.
Minasian looking to pass the guard.
Minasian passes into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Still in half guard, Minasian seems content to control.

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 Bragi Ragnarson.
I think Minasian 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Levon Minasian!
A very excited looking Levon Minasian 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.