PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ivar Olsen (ranked 6177 p4p, 0 weight class) and Monte Casanova (ranked 5683 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Olsen
vs
Casanova

180 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

160 cm
22
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ivar Olsen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Monte Casanova!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Olsen dives in for a single leg takedown but Casanova sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Olsen tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Casanova defends well and Olsen ends up having to push Casanova into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Olsen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Casanova shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Olsen is trying to defend but Casanova finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Olsen is controlling Casanova's trapped leg to prevent Casanova from advancing to side control.
Well, if Casanova is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Casanova's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Olsen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Casanova slips a nice elbow through Olsen's hands, connecting with Olsen's forehead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Casanova working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Casanova lands with a punch from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Casanova takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Casanova is figuring out what he wants to do next.
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. Casanova connects with a nice short shot to Olsen's temple.
Casanova drops an elbow to the side of Olsen's head.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Casanova lands a nice short elbow.
Olsen is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Casanova scores with a couple of nice shots.
Casanova slows the pace down in half guard.
Casanova seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Olsen has hold of Casanova's hands but Casanova slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Casanova is controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Olsen tries to roll over but Casanova keeps him under control.
Casanova trying to pass the guard but Olsen defending well.
Olsen tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Casanova perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Casanova lands with a punch from 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 referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Casanova lands a nice short elbow.
Casanova content to control rather than advance.
Olsen is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Casanova in particular looking to stall.
Casanova looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Olsen with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Casanova looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Olsen is doing well to control the position and prevent Casanova from advancing to side control.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Casanova has eaten all the pies!
Casanova looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Casanova lands a nice short elbow.
Casanova is taking a breather. Olsen says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Casanova takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Casanova lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Casanova not doing much here.
Let's hope that Casanova 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.
It looks like Casanova might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Casanova looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Olsen with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Casanova looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Olsen with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Casanova seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Casanova shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Olsen's guard.
Olsen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Casanova stays in close to Olsen's body and controls the position.
Casanova is pushing down on Olsen's leg trying to pass to half guard. Olsen is fighting to maintain full guard but Casanova has managed to sneak the leg through.
Casanova is controlling the pace.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Casanova.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Olsen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Casanova seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Olsen trying to control but Casanova postures up.
Casanova perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Olsen wants to control but Casanova passes into side.
Casanova taking a breather here.
Yet more stalling tactics from Casanova.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Casanova lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Casanova controlling the position.
Casanova lands a nice forearm strike.
A lull in the action here as Casanova stalls from top position.
More stalling from Casanova.
Casanova scoring with punches from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Olsen trying to remain calm as Casanova controls from the top position.
Casanova with more of the same as he continues to hold on.
Casanova cracks Olsen with a big elbow.
Casanova is working Olsen over with some ground and pound from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Olsen being controlled for a moment.
Casanova working the head with strikes.
Olsen being controlled for a moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Monte Casanova showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Olsen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Casanova scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Casanova just content to control the position.
Olsen taking a bit of punishment here - Casanova scoring with strikes.
Casanova controls the position from side control.
Casanova has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Casanova working the head and body with strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Casanova lands an elbow.
Olsen manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Casanova has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Casanova controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Casanova looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Casanova slows the pace down in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Casanova working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Casanova is taking a breather. Olsen says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Nice strikes from Casanova there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Casanova with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Olsen is trying to get back to full guard.
Casanova slows the pace down in half guard.
Olsen is trying to get back to full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Casanova controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Olsen gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Casanova to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Casanova is stalling in the full guard.
Ivar Olsen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Monte Casanova is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
Monte Casanova comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Casanova has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight for Monte Casanova!
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight for Monte Casanova!
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight for Monte Casanova!

Monte Casanova wins by unanimous decision!