PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Anton Strålman (ranked 2016 p4p, 99 weight class) and Rico Dominguez (ranked 1896 p4p, 92 weight class). Strålman comes to the cage accompanied by Three Kings. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Strålman
vs
Dominguez

172 cm
23
140 lbs
10 - 6 - 1

162 cm
23
145 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Anton Strålman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rico Dominguez!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Alan Glass and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Strålman throws a jab but it's blocked by Dominguez.
Dominguez blocks a jab.
Dominguez throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Nice defenses there by Strålman.
Strålman fires out a quick counter leg kick but Dominguez just manages to avoid it.
Dominguez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Strålman manages to avoid it.
Strålman digs a good body shot into Dominguez's ribs.
Dominguez takes a swing at Strålman's ribcage but misses.
A punch lands to the side of Dominguez 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Strålman lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Dominguez wants to clinch up but Strålman keeps it at a distance.
Strålman avoids a punch combination nicely.
Strålman throws a leg kick
letting Dominguez counter with a right hand.
Strålman throws a leg kick which misses Dominguez's front leg but catches the back leg as Dominguez tries to avoid it.
Strålman scores with a body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Strålman misses with an uppercut.
It seemed like Dominguez was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Strålman connects with a leg kick. Dominguez looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

Strålman gets tackled into the cage by Dominguez. Dominguez maintains the clinch.
Strålman tries to throw a body punch but Dominguez avoids it by throwing Strålman back against the cage.
Strålman misses with a punch on the inside.
Strålman makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Dominguez lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dominguez breaks the clinch.
Good shot there by Dominguez.
Dominguez throws a hook to the side of Strålman's head but Strålman sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Dominguez scores with a shot to the body.
Dominguez throws a series of punches but Strålman avoids them all with ease.
Strålman connects with a nice looking jab.
The fight stays on the outside here - Dominguez looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Strålman comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Dominguez has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Strålman dodges the punch combination from Dominguez.
Strålman scores with a shot to the body.
Dominguez doesn't manage to clinch there - Strålman circles away.
Dominguez slips a straight right by Strålman.
A good leg kick by Strålman.
Strålman throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Dominguez closes the distance and clinches.
Dominguez has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Strålman is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Dominguez swings wildly with an uppercut but Strålman uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strålman misses with a hook to the ribs.
A body shot lands from Dominguez.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Strålman.
Strålman throws a head punch that misses.
A shot in the inside from Dominguez.
Dominguez with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Dominguez tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Strålman smiles and moves away.
Strålman catches Dominguez with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

Dominguez has taken the fight to the clinch.

Dominguez pulls guard successfully.
Dominguez is pulling down on Strålman's head. It's preventing any offense from Strålman, at least for the moment.
Strålman pushing down on Dominguez's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Dominguez wants to improve his position but Strålman is controlling well.
Strålman tries to pass to full mount but Dominguez defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dominguez wants to improve his position but Strålman is controlling well.

Dominguez looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Strålman content to control rather than advance.
Dominguez wants to improve his position but Strålman is controlling well.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Strålman performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Dominguez wants to get back to full guard but Strålman has mounted him!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Strålman can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Dominguez is looking to escape.
Strålman controlling the pace for now.
Dominguez slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dominguez works his way to full guard. Good work.
Dominguez wants to sweep but no luck.
Strålman is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Dominguez wants to sweep here but Strålman controlling him for the moment.
Dominguez controlling Strålman's posture.

Dominguez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Anton Strålman will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Dominguez dives in and scores a takedown into Strålman's guard.
Strålman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Dominguez.
Strålman wants to sweep here but Dominguez controlling him for the moment.
Dominguez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Strålman is keeping the position for now.
Dominguez throws a big right hand that misses.
Dominguez trying to control but Strålman is working from the bottom.
Dominguez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dominguez trying to control but Strålman is working from the bottom.
Dominguez landing some decent shots from guard.
Strålman looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dominguez postures up.
Dominguez tries to free his leg and advance position but Strålman is retaining full guard.
Strålman is pulling down on Dominguez's head to control his posture.
Dominguez prevents Strålman from getting back to his feet.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Dominguez passes Strålman's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Strålman wants to improve his position but Dominguez is controlling well.
Strålman gets back to full guard.
Dominguez postures up in Strålman's guard and throws a big left but Strålman blocks it.
Dominguez pushes down on Strålman's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dominguez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dominguez seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Strålman does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Rico Dominguez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Strålman keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Dominguez is pressing down on Strålman's thigh, looking to free his foot. Strålman is holding on for now.
Dominguez lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Dominguez is working for a kimura but Strålman is defending it quite comfortably.
Strålman wants to control but Dominguez is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dominguez tries to pass the half guard into mount. Strålman knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Dominguez working the head and body with strikes.
Dominguez thows a huge punch but Strålman dodges it nicely.
Strålman wants to improve his position but Dominguez is controlling well.
Dominguez drops an elbow to the side of Strålman's head.
Strålman blocking the ground and pound attempt from Dominguez.
Dominguez lands strikes from half guard.
Dominguez not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Dominguez scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Dominguez not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dominguez is looking to take a break and control but Strålman is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Dominguez has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Dominguez throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Strålman looks like he's trying to stand up.
Dominguez thows a huge punch but Strålman dodges it nicely.
Dominguez is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Dominguez sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Strålman defending well though.
Strålman wants to improve his position but Dominguez is controlling well.
Dominguez throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Strålman wants to control but Dominguez is keeping busy.
Dominguez looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Strålman with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Strålman wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rico Dominguez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Strålman uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Dominguez.
Dominguez scores with a jab.
A nice inside leg kick there by Strålman. That's going to slow Dominguez down.
Rico Dominguez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Strålman tests Dominguez's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Strålman scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Strålman connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Dominguez momentarily.
Dominguez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Strålman moves away.
Dominguez blocks a jab.
Dominguez looks to throw the jab but Strålman is out of range.
Strålman throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Dominguez stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nice sprawl there from Strålman as Dominguez shoots in.
Dominguez ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A looping hook to the body misses from Dominguez. Strålman does a little dance to reset his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Strålman loads up on a big right hand but Dominguez slips the punch.
Strålman throws a right and a left that both miss.
Dominguez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Dominguez just misses with a punch to the body.
Dominguez feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Strålmans jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Strålman takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dominguez goes for a double leg but Strålman avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Strålman continues to drive forward.
Anton Strålman is winning the standup battle so far.
Strålman fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Dominguez is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Dominguez takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Nice takedown defense from Strålman. No joy for Dominguez on that attempt.
Anton Strålman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rico Dominguez.
Strålman cracks the inside of Dominguez's front leg.

Dominguez moves into the clinch.
Strålman is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Dominguez is trying to drag Strålman to the mat but Strålman just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
A right handed body shot lands from Strålman.
Dominguez tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Strålman avoids it.
Strålman lands a right hand.
Dominguez has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Strålman avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Strålman lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Strålman fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Dominguez tries a body shot but Strålman blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strålman misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Strålman lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Rico Dominguez seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Strålman cracks Dominguez with a nice body shot.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Strålman.
Dominguez is looking to break free of the clinch but Strålman has double underhooks.
Strålman lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Dominguez backwards.

Dominguez pulls Strålman into guard.
Strålman wants to stand but Dominguez has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Dominguez 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.
Strålman engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Strålman preventing the sweep.
Dominguez doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strålman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dominguez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Strålman trying to control the position from guard on top but Dominguez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dominguez 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.
Strålman is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Dominguez throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Strålman is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Strålman misses with a straight left.
Anton Strålman is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Dominguez throws the left hand but Strålman avoids the punch easily.
Strålman throws a hook but Dominguez blocks it.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Strålman, right into the meat.
Dominguez looks to land a left hand but Strålman moved out of range nicely.
Dominguez takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Dominguez lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dominguez ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Strålman avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Dominguez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Strålman manages to avoid it.
A jab from Strålman finds it's way through Dominguez's defenses.
Strålman avoids the body shot from Dominguez.
Strålman slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Dominguez scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dominguez fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Nice uppercut there from Strålman.
Strålman lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Dominguez slips a straight right by Strålman.
Dominguez misses with a jab, cross combination.
Strålman throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Dominguez stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Strålman throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

Dominguez forces Strålman back against the cage and clinches.
Dominguez using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Strålman has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Dominguez leaning against his opponent.
A short body shot lands from Dominguez as the two fighters clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anton Strålman showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Strålman has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Anton Strålman!
Anton Strålman was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.