PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bjorn Ragnarsson (ranked 2734 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Stricker (ranked 4793 p4p, 570 weight class). Ragnarsson comes to the cage accompanied by Anja - Where I Am. Stricker is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by 21 Savage feat. Future - X. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Ragnarsson
vs
Stricker

190 cm
35
210 lbs
20 - 7 - 0

199 cm
38
219 lbs
16 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Sin City Allstars

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 20 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bjorn Ragnarsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Steve Stricker!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Daniel Franklin and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stricker misses with a low kick.
Stricker checks a leg kick.
Ragnarsson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Stricker fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ragnarsson manages to avoid it.
Stricker has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Ragnarsson throws a looping overhand right but Stricker ducks down to avoid it.
Ragnarsson misses with a hook. Stricker ducked under it nicely.
Ragnarsson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stricker sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Stricker thinks about the counter body kick.
Ragnarsson misses with an uppercut
and Stricker counters with a left to the body.
Stricker throws a jab when Ragnarsson was well out of range.
Stricker on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Ragnarsson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Stricker checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Ragnarsson's jab looks to have found its range, popping Stricker under the eye.
Sloppy strikes from Ragnarsson. Those never looked like landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stricker scores with a hook to the body. Ragnarsson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Stricker lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stricker throws out a powerful jab.
Ragnarsson dodges the punch combination from Stricker.
Ragnarsson throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Stricker is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Ragnarsson with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ragnarsson throws a low kick but Stricker avoids it.
Ragnarsson connects with a nice looking jab.
Stricker staying out of range there.
Nice cross by Ragnarsson.

It looks like Steve Stricker has been cut.
Ragnarsson throws out a loose jab but Stricker uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stricker with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Nice uppercut lands for Ragnarsson. That snapped Stricker's head back.

Stricker has managed to clinch.
Ragnarsson takes a shot to the head.
Still in the clinch, Stricker scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ragnarsson blocks a body shot from Stricker.
A head punch on the inside from Stricker fails to land.
A nice left hand lands by Stricker.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ragnarsson tries to work over Stricker's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson misses with a punch on the inside.
Ragnarsson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ragnarsson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ragnarsson tries to land a knee to the head but Stricker blocks with his arms.
Stricker misses with a short punch on the inside.
Stricker lands a hook that snaps the head of Ragnarsson backwards.
Stricker is leaning against Ragnarsson and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Ragnarsson lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Stricker tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ragnarsson avoids it.
Ragnarsson taking a breather.
Ragnarsson stalling against the cage.
Ragnarsson misses with a punch on the inside.
Stricker swings wildly with an uppercut but Ragnarsson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ragnarsson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Stricker as Ragnarsson tries to tie him up.
Stricker swings wildly with an uppercut but Ragnarsson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ragnarsson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Stricker blocking some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stricker working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Stricker gets through Ragnarsson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Ragnarsson tries to land knees in the clinch but Stricker avoids the damage to the body.
Stricker lands a right hand.
Stricker on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Stricker misses with an elbow over the top.
Ragnarsson misses with a knee strike.
A short left from Stricker.
Ragnarsson lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ragnarsson lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ragnarsson lands a hook that snaps the head of Stricker backwards.
Stricker lands a body shot.
Ragnarsson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ragnarsson lands with a right to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ragnarsson swings wildly with an uppercut but Stricker uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stricker cracks Ragnarsson with a nice body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Stricker fails to land.
Ragnarsson has a couple of punches blocked by Stricker.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ragnarsson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Stricker.
A head punch on the inside from Ragnarsson fails to land.
Ragnarsson is trying to stall.
Stricker misses with a hook from the clinch.
Stricker has a couple of punches blocked by Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ragnarsson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Stricker misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ragnarsson takes a shot to the head.
Stricker creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Ragnarsson displaying some good clinch control by pressing Stricker up against the cage.
Stricker misses with the head strike.
Ragnarsson misses with some punches.
Ragnarsson trying to land knees to the body.
Stricker avoiding damage as Ragnarsson throws knees to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ragnarsson blocking some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Steve Stricker will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Steve Stricker's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ragnarsson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A left and a right from Stricker both land. Nice combination.
Stricker throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Nice shot by Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Ragnarsson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Stricker, pushing him back against the cage.
Ragnarsson missing with knees to the body.
Ragnarsson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ragnarsson throws a head punch that misses.
Ragnarsson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Stricker being controlled against the cage.
Stricker lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ragnarsson just leaning against Stricker, taking a breather.
Stricker misses with a punch on the inside.
Steve Stricker seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Stricker lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Stricker blocks a body shot from Ragnarsson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stricker.
A nice left hand lands by Ragnarsson.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Stricker as Ragnarsson tries to tie him up.
Ragnarsson tries to land knees in the clinch but Stricker avoids the damage to the body.
Ragnarsson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Ragnarsson takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Stricker lands with a light punch inside.
Ragnarsson trying to stall but Stricker improves his position.
Stricker lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Ragnarsson backwards.
Stricker lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ragnarsson backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stricker.
Ragnarsson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ragnarsson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Stricker tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ragnarsson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ragnarsson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ragnarsson misses with a body punch.
Stricker managing to block the knees to the body from Ragnarsson.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Stricker as Ragnarsson tries to tie him up.
Nice body punch from Stricker - that landed with a thud.
Stricker blocking some punches.
Ragnarsson lands a knee to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stricker blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Stricker throws a head punch that misses.
Stricker misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ragnarsson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ragnarsson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ragnarsson is trying to stall.
Stricker misses with a hook from the clinch.
Stricker tries to throw a body punch but Ragnarsson avoids it by throwing Stricker back against the cage.
Ragnarsson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Ragnarsson misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stricker swings wildly with an uppercut but Ragnarsson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stricker lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Ragnarsson backwards.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Stricker misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ragnarsson throws a head punch that misses.
A left hand lands to the body for Ragnarsson.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Stricker creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Stricker misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short left from Ragnarsson.
Stricker lands a shoulder strike.
Ragnarsson lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ragnarsson swings wildly with an uppercut but Stricker uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ragnarsson lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Stricker.
Ragnarsson avoiding damage as Stricker throws knees to the body.
Stricker swings wildly with an uppercut but Ragnarsson uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stricker prevents a body shot from Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson misses with some punches.
Stricker throws an elbow that misses.
Ragnarsson is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Stricker is keeping busy.
Stricker tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Stricker lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ragnarsson backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ragnarsson is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Ragnarsson swings wildly with an uppercut but Stricker uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stricker misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Ragnarsson fails to land.
Ragnarsson misses with a body punch.
Ragnarsson misses with a knee strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Stricker throws an elbow but misses.
Ragnarsson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Bjorn Ragnarsson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Steve Stricker's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Stricker throws a wild body kick that Ragnarsson sees coming a mile off.
Ragnarsson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ragnarsson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ragnarsson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Stricker throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Stricker just misses with a punch to the body.
Stricker connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Ragnarsson momentarily.
Ragnarsson misses with a low kick.
Stricker swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Steve Stricker seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ragnarsson looks to land a left hand but Stricker moved out of range nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ragnarsson throws a leg kick which misses Stricker's front leg but catches the back leg as Stricker tries to avoid it.
A big right from Stricker misses.
Stricker bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Bjorn Ragnarsson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stricker cracks Ragnarsson with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Ragnarsson's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Stricker connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Ragnarsson scrambles back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stricker slips under a jab from Ragnarsson.

Ragnarsson clinches up against the cage.
Stricker lands an elbow inside that Ragnarsson shrugs off.
Ragnarsson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Stricker looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Stricker has a couple of punches blocked by Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Stricker has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Stricker prevents a body shot from Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson taking a breather.
Stricker softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Stricker blocking some punches.
Stricker tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ragnarsson's elbow.
A head punch on the inside from Ragnarsson fails to land.
Stricker swings wildly with an uppercut but Ragnarsson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stricker tries to work over Ragnarsson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ragnarsson dodges an elbow strike from Stricker.
Stricker misses with a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ragnarsson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Stricker lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Stricker throws a punch but it's blocked by Ragnarsson.
Stricker unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stricker blocks an uppercut.
Stricker tries to throw a body punch but Ragnarsson avoids it by throwing Stricker back against the cage.
A hook to the body from Ragnarsson.
Stricker looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Stricker doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Stricker lands a left hand.
Stricker lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ragnarsson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Stricker tries a body shot but Ragnarsson blocks it.
Stricker doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A shot in the inside from Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Ragnarsson fails to land.
A short right from Ragnarsson on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ragnarsson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ragnarsson misses with some punches.
Stricker working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Stricker lands an elbow that stopped Ragnarsson in his tracks for a moment.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Stricker creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ragnarsson tries to work over Stricker's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Stricker lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ragnarsson taking a breather.
Stricker swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Stricker tries to work over Ragnarsson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ragnarsson swings wildly with an uppercut but Stricker uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stricker throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Ragnarsson stalling in the clinch but Stricker improves position.
Ragnarsson lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Stricker blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ragnarsson lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ragnarsson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Ragnarsson.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Stricker lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Stricker misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ragnarsson prevents a body shot from Stricker.
Stricker working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ragnarsson.
Stricker fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ragnarsson presses Stricker against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Stricker misses with some punches.
Stricker lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Stricker tries to work over Ragnarsson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ragnarsson avoids the elbow strike from Stricker, against the cage.
Ragnarsson slowing the pace effectively.
Ragnarsson works on Stricker's body with a couple of short punches.
Stricker lands a nice shot to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Stricker comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Stricker 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Stricker!
In his post fight interview, Steve Stricker started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.
In defeat, Bjorn Ragnarsson stepped up to the mic, saying 'I'm not done, I'll be back with my new team managment'.