PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Benjamin Sigfridsson (ranked 402 p4p, 60 weight class) and Bruno Aires (ranked 667 p4p, 93 weight class). Bruno Aires told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Sigfridsson
vs
Aires

180 cm
33
192 lbs
17 - 12 - 1

188 cm
36
203 lbs
36 - 19 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Kimura Klothing
Sportivité

Sportivité

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Benjamin Sigfridsson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 36 - 19 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Bruno Aires!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Steve Smith and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aires misses with a takedown attempt - Sigfridsson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sigfridsson fails in his attempt to clinch.
A jab from Sigfridsson does it's job there.
Sigfridsson throws a low kick but Aires avoids it.
Sigfridsson is looking to chop away at Aires's legs.
Sigfridsson falls off balance throwing a combination
and Aires counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Aires keeps the fight on the outside.
Aires throws a front kick aimed at Sigfridsson's knee but Sigfridsson avoids it well.
Sigfridsson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Aires drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Sigfridsson defends it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Some wild striking there from Sigfridsson.
Sigfridsson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aires moves away.
Sigfridsson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Aires manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Aires throws a leg kick
and Sigfridsson counters with a left and a right that stings Aires.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sigfridsson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sigfridsson throws a leg kick but Aires sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Aires shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sigfridsson as he jumps to the side.
Aires blocks a leg kick.
Sigfridsson checks a leg kick.
Sigfridsson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sigfridsson falls off balance throwing a combination
and Aires connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Aires shoots in but no luck this time.
Benjamin Sigfridsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bruno Aires.
Aires loads up on a big right hand but Sigfridsson slips the punch.
Aires swats away the attempt to clinch by Sigfridsson.
Aires misses with a takedown
and Sigfridsson counters with a stiff right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aires keeps the fight on the outside.
Aires connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sigfridsson. Sigfridsson circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Sigfridsson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Aires dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sigfridsson drops his hands momentarily and Aires takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Aires tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Sigfridsson defends well and Aires ends up having to push Sigfridsson into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Good exchange - Sigfridsson coming out on top.

Sigfridsson darts in and clinches Aires up against the cage.

Sigfridsson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Aires decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sigfridsson trying to control here.
Sigfridsson is looking to escape.
Aires controlling the pace.
Sigfridsson has his hands clasped together around Aires's back. He's all about the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sigfridsson has hold of Aires's hands but Aires slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Aires trying to control from half guard but Sigfridsson is working away.
Sigfridsson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sigfridsson wants to control but Aires is keeping busy.
Aires thows a huge punch but Sigfridsson dodges it nicely.
Sigfridsson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four 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.
Sigfridsson trying to control from the bottom.
Sigfridsson taking some punishment here, with Aires in his half guard.

Aires is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Aires trying to control from half guard but Sigfridsson is working away.
Aires is looking to advance position but Sigfridsson won't allow it.
Sigfridsson desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Aires is trying to control. Sigfridsson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
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 Benjamin Sigfridsson will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sigfridsson misses with a head kick.
Sigfridsson fails to land with a series of punches.
Benjamin Sigfridsson is winning the standup battle so far.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Aires.
Aires has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Aires there as he acknowledges the shot.
Sigfridsson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Aires shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Sigfridsson is trying to defend but Aires finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Still in half guard, Aires seems content to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sigfridsson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sigfridsson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Sigfridsson.
Aires trying to control but Sigfridsson is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sigfridsson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sigfridsson is working hard here to advance position.
Aires is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Sigfridsson controls Aires momentarily but Aires frees himself.
Aires is looking to work some ground and pound but Sigfridsson has wrist control.
Sigfridsson keeping moving, preventing Aires from controlling successfully.
Aires passes Sigfridsson's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Aires is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Sigfridsson is looking to control Aires's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sigfridsson avoid being mounted?
Aires prevents Sigfridsson from improving his position.
Aires slips a nice elbow through Sigfridsson's hands, connecting with Sigfridsson's forehead.

Sigfridsson has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Aires is on him like a limpet, forcing Sigfridsson back against the cage.
Aires tries to work over Sigfridsson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Aires can't find room to land a body shot as Sigfridsson controls the action.
Sigfridsson misses with a punch on the inside.

Aires's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aires feints and then cracks Sigfridsson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Sigfridsson down.

Aires looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Sigfridsson manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Aires keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Sigfridsson lands a right hand.

Sigfridsson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Aires thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sigfridsson slaps away a takedown attempt from Aires, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Sigfridsson throws a quick counter kick to the body but Aires avoids it.
Aires fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sigfridsson avoids it really well and circles away.
Benjamin Sigfridsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bruno Aires.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sigfridsson stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aires checks a leg kick nicely.
Sigfridsson throws a lazy right hand but Aires sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Aires throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Sigfridsson counters with a body kick.
Aires throws a poor cross that misses
and Aires takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Benjamin Sigfridsson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sigfridsson takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Aires tries for a takedown but Sigfridsson circles away easily
and Sigfridsson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sigfridsson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Aires misses with a body punch
and Sigfridsson counters with a one-two to the body.
Aires has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Sigfridsson finds it's way round the side to connect with Aires's head.

Aires is rocked!
Sigfridsson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Aires.
Sigfridsson is throwing punches like he's double parked. Oh my word! Huge right hand from Sigfridsson shuts the power down on Aires. Lights out, game over! Sigfridsson is your winner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Benjamin Sigfridsson!
Benjamin Sigfridsson is the new middleweight champion!
In his post fight interview, Benjamin Sigfridsson started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.