PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ghazi Okah (ranked 26 p4p, 6 weight class) and Ludvig Ericsson (ranked 95 p4p, 18 weight class). Okah comes to the cage accompanied by Rock Stone. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Okah
vs
Ericsson

195 cm
27
210 lbs
17 - 5 - 1

186 cm
32
212 lbs
23 - 11 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Pit Bull Development

THE END 32

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ghazi Okah!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ludvig Ericsson!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Sam Margolis and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Okah moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Ericsson will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Okah lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Okah throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Ericsson walks forward, straight into a front kick from Okah.
Ericsson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Okah throws a body kick that misses.
Ericsson feints the counter takedown.
Okah looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Good work by Okah as he checks the leg kick.
Okah looks to land a body kick but Ericsson moved away.
Ghazi Okah seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Okah scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A big left from Okah misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ericsson moves out of range as Okah strikes.
Some bone on bone action there as Ericsson checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Okah scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
The fighters circling - Okah throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The crowd cheers as Okah lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ericsson doesn't seem phased though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okah throws a predictable looking body shot
and Ericsson counters with a thumping low kick.
Ericsson drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Ericsson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ghazi Okah is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Okah throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Okah throws a jab when Ericsson was well out of range.
Ericsson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Okah defends it well.
Okah on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ericsson. Ericsson obviously looking to wear him down.
Okah is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ericsson takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Okah avoids the body shot from Ericsson.
Okah connects with a solid leg kick.
Ericsson ducks under a wild hook from Okah.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ericsson. That's going to slow Okah down.
Ericsson shoots in for a takedown but Okah shows good takedown defense.
A slow jab from Okah misses its intended target.
Okah looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ericsson slips a jab from Okah.
Ericsson on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Okah lands a really nice looking cross but Ericsson seems unphased.
Okah scores with a shot to the body.
A low kick from Okah is predictable there
and Ericsson counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Okah misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ericsson.
Ericsson appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Okah looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ericsson staying out of range there.
Okah takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Okah with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okah fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ericsson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Okah.
Ericsson throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Okah to counter with a crisp jab.
A slow jab from Okah misses its intended target.
A big left from Okah misses.
Okah scores with a punch to the head.
Ericsson blocks the body kick.
Ericsson lands a nice hook to Okah's body. Okah takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Okah.
Ericsson throws a lazy uppercut
and Okah counters with a nice uppercut.
Ericsson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Okah lands with an uppercut that bounces Ericsson off the cage and back into range.
Okah tries to clinch but fails miserably

so Ericsson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Okah has his hands on Ericsson's head, controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ericsson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Okah looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ericsson is one step ahead there.
Okah wants to get back to his feet but Ericsson passes into half guard.
Ericsson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Okah manages to get to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ghazi Okah dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

An inside leg kick from Ericsson misses.
A swing and a miss from Okah.
Ericsson feints the counter takedown.
Okah fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Ericsson on the side of the head.
No joy there for Okah, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Okah lets loose with a powerful body kick. Ericsson will feel that in the morning.
Okah misses with a body shot.
Ericsson sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Ericsson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Okah is fending him off so far but Ericsson persists. Nope, Okah circles away and we're back to standing.
Okah throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A nice side step and Ericsson releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Okah tests Ericsson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Okah.
Okah throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ericsson with the counter takedown but Okah avoids it easily.
Okah connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ericsson tries to clinch but Okah is having none of it.
Okah is looking to counter punch.
Ericsson stuns Okah with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Ericsson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ghazi Okah is winning the standup battle so far.
Okah throws an off balance right hand
and Ericsson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ericsson has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Okah.
Okah misses with an attempted mid kick.
Okah is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ericsson can do to turn this around?
Ericsson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Ericsson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Okah sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nice shot by Okah.

Okah moves into the clinch.
Ericsson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Okah has a couple of punches blocked by Ericsson.
Ericsson working aggressively here.
Okah fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Okah has a couple of punches blocked by Ericsson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Okah.
Okah is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Ericsson lands a left hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Okah misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Okah.
Okah lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Okah misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Okah doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Okah misses with a hook to the ribs.
Okah misses with a body punch.
Still in the clinch, Okah scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ericsson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Ericsson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Okah struggles to land a body shot inside as Ericsson controls his hands.
A short right from Okah on the inside.
Okah misses with a punch to the body.
A short uppercut from Okah.
Ericsson struggles to land a body shot inside as Okah controls his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ericsson pushes Okah back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Okah misses with a hook to the ribs.
Okah tries a body shot but Ericsson blocks it.
Ericsson tries to work over Okah's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Okah scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ericsson taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Ericsson blocks an uppercut.
Ericsson swings wildly with an uppercut but Okah uses good head movement to avoid it.
Okah throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ghazi Okah has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Okah lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ericsson backwards.
Ericsson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Okah blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Okah throws a head punch that misses.
Ericsson blocks a body shot from Okah.

Ericsson wants the takedown. Okah is fighting it off but Ericsson persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Okah's guard against the cage.
Ericsson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Okah works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ericsson's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Okah working a defensive guard here.
Okah wants to stand and escape but Ericsson is having none of it.
Ericsson stopping the sweep attempt from Okah.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Okah is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Okah has his hands on Ericsson's head, controlling the position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Ericsson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Ericsson connects with the punch.
Ericsson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ericsson connects with an inside leg kick.
Okah tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ericsson was well out of range. Poor timing from Okah.
Ericsson shoots in but Okah avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Okah misses with a straight left.
Ericsson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Okah.
Okah misses with a hook to the body
and Ericsson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Okah throws a leg kick but Ericsson checks it.
Okah rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Ericsson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A chopping leg kick lands by Okah.
Ericsson staying out of range there.
Ericsson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Ericsson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okah tries to clinch up.
Ericsson misses with a leg kick
and Okah counters with a low kick, right behind Ericsson 's knee.
Okah throws a big shot that misses.
Ericsson throws a low kick but Okah moves out of range easily.
Okah misses with a hook. Ericsson ducked under it nicely.
Ericsson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Okah defends it nicely.
Okah looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Ericsson does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Ericsson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Okah. Okah circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Okah swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ericsson with the counter takedown but Okah avoids it easily.
The fighters circling - Ericsson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Okah ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ericsson moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Okah fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ericsson throws a lazy right hand but Okah sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ericsson on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Okah cracks a nice hook into Ericsson's ribs.
The fighters circle momentarily. Okah darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Okah misses with a body shot.
Ericsson is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Okah loads up on a big right hand but Ericsson slips the punch.
Ericsson changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Okah tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ericsson was well out of range. Poor timing from Okah.
Ericsson shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Okah tries to score with a low kick but Ericsson moves his leg out of the way.
Ericsson tries to bum rush Okah with a series of wild strikes but Okah uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Good exchange - Okah coming out on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okah lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ericsson's sensitive parts.
Ericsson throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Ericsson slips a jab from Okah.
Okah avoids the body shot from Ericsson.
Okah misses with the body kick

and Ericsson counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Okah pushes Ericsson off and gets back to his feet.
Okah lands a nice shot that snaps Ericsson's head back.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ericsson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Okah's waist but Okah gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ericsson off to one side.
Ghazi Okah has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ludvig Ericsson.
Ericsson misses with a low kick.
Okah wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Ericsson throws a jab when Okah was well out of range.
Okah throws a head kick but Ericsson moves out of range.
Ericsson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Okah defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ericsson scores with a hook.
Ericsson shoots in and drives through. Okah sprawls well.
Okah throws a wild body kick that Ericsson sees coming a mile off.
Okah backing away here, and Ericsson unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Okah scores with a jab to the body.
Okah lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Ericsson slips under a jab.
Ericsson's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Okah goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Ericsson moves into range and connects with a jab.
Ericsson throws a jab when Okah was well out of range.
Okah half committed to a counter leg kick.
Ericsson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Okah.
Okah ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ericsson moves away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ghazi Okah clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Okah feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ericsson's calf.
Okah pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ericsson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Ericsson forces Okah back against the cage and clinches.
Okah misses with the head strike.
Ericsson has a couple of punches blocked by Okah.
Ericsson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Okah misses with a hook to the ribs.
Okah misses with a punch to the body.
Ericsson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ericsson.
A nice left hand lands by Okah.
Okah lands a shot to the body.
Okah lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Okah lands with a short shot to the head.
Ericsson stalling against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okah swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Okah.
Okah lands an uppercut.
Ericsson tries to work over Okah's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Okah goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A right hand to the body from Okah.
Okah lands a right hand.
Okah takes a shot to the head.
Ericsson tries a body shot but Okah blocks it.
Ericsson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ericsson misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ericsson.
Okah has a couple of punches blocked by Ericsson.
Ericsson blocks a body shot from Okah.
Okah swings wildly with an uppercut but Ericsson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Okah blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ericsson tries a body shot but Okah blocks it.
Okah swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A body shot lands from Ericsson.
Ericsson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ericsson lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Okah backwards.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ericsson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Okah creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Okah gets through Ericsson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Okah misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short left from Ericsson.
Ericsson blocking some punches.
Okah working aggressively here.
Okah misses with a hook to the ribs.
Okah lands a body punch.
Okah working aggressively here.
Okah lands with a right to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ericsson is trying to drag Okah to the mat but Okah just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Ericsson throws a punch but it's blocked by Okah.
Okah goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ericsson trying to control the position but instead, Okah has worked for underhooks and has pushed Ericsson into the cage.
Okah fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ericsson.
Okah lands a body shot.
Ericsson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Okah backwards.
Okah can't find room to land a body shot as Ericsson controls the action.
A short right from Ericsson on the inside.
Okah misses with some punches.
Okah tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ericsson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Okah scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Ericsson lands an uppercut.
Ericsson stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Ericsson pushes Okah back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Ericsson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ericsson throws a head punch that misses.
Okah struggles to land a body shot inside as Ericsson controls his hands.
Nice body punch from Ericsson.
Ericsson misses with a hook from the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Okah softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ericsson taking a breather.
Okah dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Okah swings wildly with an uppercut but Ericsson uses good head movement to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Ghazi Okah will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Ericsson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Okah stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Ericsson misses with a leg kick
and Okah counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Ericsson fails in his attempt to clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from Ericsson misses the target.
Okah is looking to counter punch.
Okah misses with a body shot.
Okah throws a hook to the side of Ericsson's head but Ericsson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Okah dips to his left and cracks Ericsson with an uppercut!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ericsson connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Okah throws a half hearted mid kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Okah, right into the meat.
Ericsson on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ericsson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Okah but Okah pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Okah scores with the left hand. Ericsson knows he should have avoided that one.
Ericsson connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Okah misses the jab.
Ericsson is trying to counter with his kicks.
Okah misses with a leg kick
and Ericsson makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Okah lands with a thumping leg kick.
Okah scores with a spinning back kick!
Okah will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Okah throws a leg kick that is checked

and Ericsson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Ludvig Ericsson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ericsson throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Okah to regain full guard.
Okah managing to control the position.
Okah wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Ericsson is now in half guard.
Ericsson lands strikes from half guard.
Ericsson is trying to control the action in half guard but Okah is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Okah wants to improve his position but Ericsson is controlling well.
Ericsson is trying to control the action in half guard but Okah is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Ericsson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ericsson is thwarting Okah's attempts to control the position.
Okah manages to get to full guard.
Ericsson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ericsson being controlled here momentarily.
Okah wants to control the position but Ericsson says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Ericsson prevents Okah from standing back up.

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.
Okah keeping control of the position.
Okah on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Okah pushes Ericsson off looking to stand but Ericsson dives back in and keeps control.
Okah is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ericsson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ericsson's back!
Ericsson rolls, trying to escape but Okah keeps control of the position.
Okah biding his time, looking for the opening.
Okah continues to stall.
Ghazi Okah is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ghazi Okah showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Okah, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 William Gold scores the fight 49:46
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 50:46
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 50:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ghazi Okah!
Ghazi Okah retains his light heavyweight title!
Ghazi Okah seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.