PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Frank Freeman (ranked 3800 p4p, 380 weight class) and Ragnar Bjarnasson (ranked 5740 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.

Freeman
vs
Bjarnasson

180 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

193 cm
24
194 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Frank Freeman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ragnar Bjarnasson!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Ben Hemmingworth and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bjarnasson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Freeman misses with the combination.
Freeman tries for a takedown but Bjarnasson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Freeman blocks a leg kick.
Freeman throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Some wild striking there from Bjarnasson.
Freeman appears to be looking for a big counter.
Freeman looks to land a combination but Bjarnasson avoids it well.
Bjarnasson misses with a two punch combination.
Freeman takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Freeman tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Freeman tries to clinch up but Bjarnasson circles away and keeps his distance.
Freeman fails with the takedown

and Bjarnasson counters by moving into the clinch.
Bjarnasson is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Freeman is defending well.
Bjarnasson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Freeman has him pressed against the cage.

Bjarnasson manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Freeman tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bjarnasson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Freeman swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bjarnasson misses with a combination
and Freeman connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bjarnasson throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Freeman avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bjarnasson looks to land a combination but Freeman avoids it well.
It looked like Freeman was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

Bjarnasson closes the distance and clinches.

Freeman pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bjarnasson pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Freeman back to the cage. Bjarnasson follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Bjarnasson scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bjarnasson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bjarnasson works over Freeman's head and body with a nice combination.
Bjarnasson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Freeman shoots for a double leg takedown but Bjarnasson sprawls well. He's pushed Freeman's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Freeman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Freeman shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bjarnasson as he avoids it easily.
Bjarnasson lands a two punch combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bjarnasson throws a nice looking combination but Freeman bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
As Bjarnasson looks to move away, Freeman throws a big counter combo but Bjarnasson just gets out of the way.
Bjarnasson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bjarnasson throws a right and a left that Freeman avoids nicely.
Freeman is looking to clinch but Bjarnasson is avoiding it.
Bjarnasson throws a right and a left that Freeman avoids nicely.
No joy there for Bjarnasson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Freeman tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Bjarnasson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Bjarnasson closes the distance and clinches up with Freeman, looking for a takedown. Bjarnasson pushes Freeman against the cage but Freeman circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Freeman lands a really nice looking cross but Bjarnasson seems unphased.
Freeman is looking to clinch but Bjarnasson is avoiding it.
Bjarnasson is working the combinations to good effect here.
Bjarnasson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
As Bjarnasson looks to move away, Freeman throws a big counter combo but Bjarnasson just gets out of the way.

Freeman gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Bjarnasson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Freeman breaks from the clinch.
Freeman tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bjarnasson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Freeman somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Freeman tries to clinch but Bjarnasson is having none of it.

Freeman looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Bjarnasson!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Freeman misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

Freeman has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Freeman.
Bjarnasson scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Freeman fails to land the takedown.
Bjarnasson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Bjarnasson throws a combination. Freeman tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Bjarnasson, as that shot connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Freeman showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bjarnasson.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Freeman.
Bjarnasson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Freeman.
Freeman is breathing heavily.
Bjarnasson scores with a one two! Freeman had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Bjarnasson keeps the fight on the outside.
Bjarnasson misses with a series of wild punches.
Bjarnasson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Freeman moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Ragnar Bjarnasson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bjarnasson throws a body kick that misses
and Freeman counters with a one-two to the body.
Bjarnasson connects with a jab.
Horrible takedown attempt by Freeman or perhaps it was just good defense by Bjarnasson, which made it look bad.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ragnar Bjarnasson dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Danga de danga de dang - Bjarnasson scores with a four punch combination!
Ragnar Bjarnasson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Freeman is defended easily by Bjarnasson.
Bjarnasson lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Bjarnasson misses with a series of wild punches.
Bjarnasson cracks Freeman with an open hand slap.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Freeman is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Bjarnasson.
Bjarnasson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Freeman counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
This has been an exciting period of action!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Bjarnasson tries to throw a body punch but Freeman avoids it by throwing Bjarnasson back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bjarnasson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bjarnasson tries to bum rush Freeman with a series of wild strikes but Freeman uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Bjarnasson has closed the distance and engaged Freeman in a clinch.

Bjarnasson manages to break the clinch.
Sloppy strikes from Bjarnasson. Those never looked like landing.
Bjarnasson misses with a double jab.
Freeman is looking to clinch but Bjarnasson is avoiding it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Freeman.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Bjarnasson swats away the attempt to clinch by Freeman.
Freeman tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bjarnasson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Freeman fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Bjarnasson looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Freeman scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Freeman avoids a punch combination nicely.
Freeman pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Bjarnasson back to the cage. Freeman follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Freeman shoots for a double leg takedown but Bjarnasson sprawls well. He's pushed Freeman's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Freeman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bjarnasson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Despite the aggression on Bjarnasson's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Danga de danga de dang - Bjarnasson scores with a four punch combination!
Bjarnasson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Bjarnasson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bjarnasson swinging wildly here.
Frank Freeman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bjarnasson throws a combination. Freeman tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Freeman misses with an uppercut. Bjarnasson saw that one coming.
Bjarnasson unleashes a big counter combination but Freeman bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Freeman tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bjarnasson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
As Freeman backs off Bjarnasson throws a huge counter combo but Freeman manages to avoid it all.
Freeman fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Bjarnasson scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bjarnasson feints a jab promting Freeman to slip. Bjarnasson then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Freeman slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

Freeman gets tackled into the cage by Bjarnasson. Bjarnasson maintains the clinch.

Bjarnasson gets control of Freeman's arms and successfully pulls guard. Bjarnasson will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Freeman gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Bjarnasson is breathing heavily.
Bjarnasson lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Freeman tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Freeman shoots in but Bjarnasson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Freeman has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bjarnasson misses with a two punch combination.
Bjarnasson lands with a nice combination. Freeman backs away looking to recover.
Bjarnasson lands a two punch combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Freeman is looking to clinch.
Freeman shoots in but Bjarnasson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Bjarnasson swats away the attempt to clinch by Freeman.
Bjarnasson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Freeman moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Freeman misses with a head kick.
Freeman looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Bjarnasson keeps the fight on the outside.
Bjarnasson lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Freeman shoots in for a double leg but Bjarnasson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Danga de danga de dang - Bjarnasson scores with a four punch combination!
Bjarnasson avoids a punch combination nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bjarnasson moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Freeman fails to land the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ragnar Bjarnasson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Freeman's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Bjarnasson moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Freeman looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Freeman throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Bjarnasson. Those never looked like landing.
Bjarnasson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bjarnasson stuffs the takedown.

Bjarnasson looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Freeman keeping full guard, as Bjarnasson tries to pass.
Bjarnasson slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Freeman is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bjarnasson is controlling him.
Freeman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bjarnasson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bjarnasson is stalling in the full guard.
Bjarnasson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Freeman has Bjarnasson pulled in close to control his posture.

Freeman escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bjarnasson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bjarnasson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Freeman is on top in guard.

Ragnar Bjarnasson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Freeman trying to control but Bjarnasson is working from the bottom.

Freeman gets to his feet. Bjarnasson looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Bjarnasson throws a one two combo.
Bjarnasson displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Freeman fails to land the takedown.
Freeman shoots in for a takedown but Bjarnasson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Freeman. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bjarnasson stalks Freeman and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Freeman's face. Freeman staggers backwards, shaken.
Bjarnasson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Freeman moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Freeman is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Freeman swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bjarnasson is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Bjarnasson feints a jab promting Freeman to slip. Bjarnasson then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Freeman slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
A left and a right from Bjarnasson both land. Nice combination.
Bjarnasson feints a jab promting Freeman to slip. Bjarnasson then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Freeman slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Bjarnasson fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Freeman to the ground. Bjarnasson is now in Freeman's guard.

Freeman kicks Bjarnasson off and gets to his feet.
Bjarnasson scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Bjarnasson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bjarnasson misses with a series of wild punches.
Bjarnasson just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromFreeman.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bjarnasson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Freeman goes for a double leg but Bjarnasson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Bjarnasson continues to drive forward.
Bjarnasson unleashes a big counter combination but Freeman bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Bjarnasson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Freeman shoots in but no luck this time.
Bjarnasson misses with a series of wild punches.
Freeman throws a hook but Bjarnasson avoids it easily.

Bjarnasson darts in and clinches Freeman up against the cage.
Bjarnasson softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Freeman tries to pull guard but Bjarnasson won't allow it.

Freeman's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Frank Freeman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bjarnasson lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Bjarnasson.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ragnar Bjarnasson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Bjarnasson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight for Ragnar Bjarnasson!
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight for Ragnar Bjarnasson!
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight for Ragnar Bjarnasson!

Ragnar Bjarnasson wins by unanimous decision!