PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Cian Cartwright (ranked 4809 p4p, 451 weight class) and Fredrik Rienfeldt (ranked 1848 p4p, 216 weight class). Cartwright comes into the arena with Engulfed by Darkness blaring out of the sound system. This should be a great matchup!

Cartwright
vs
Rienfeldt

180 cm
37
183 lbs
14 - 14 - 0

180 cm
28
176 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

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 14 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Cian Cartwright!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Fredrik Rienfeldt!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Robert Twigg and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rienfeldt uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Rienfeldt lands a jab to Cartwright's midsection.

Cartwright shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Rienfeldt napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Rienfeldt tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Cartwright presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Rienfeldt is trying to escape the mount.
Cartwright trying to control but Rienfeldt is having none of it.
You get the feeling that Rienfeldt really doesn't like being in this position too much.

Cartwright has control of Rienfeldt's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Rienfeldt regains control of the situation pretty easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rienfeldt is working to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rienfeldt is still trying to improve position.
Rienfeldt manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Cartwright prevents Rienfeldt from improving his position.

Rienfeldt pushes Cartwright off and gets back to his feet.
Rienfeldt throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rienfeldt throws a solid leg kick but Cartwright takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Rienfeldt.
Rienfeldt attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Cartwright feinted with a counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cartwright keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Cartwright darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Rienfeldt tries to kick Cartwright off but Cartwright keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Cartwright thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Rienfeldt is positioning himself well to prevent Cartwright advancing to mount.
Rienfeldt won't allow Cartwright to pass to mount.
Rienfeldt is staying active underneath Cartwright, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Rienfeldt manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Cartwright keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Rienfeldt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cartwright is trying to drag Rienfeldt to the mat but Rienfeldt just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Cartwright tries to pull guard but Rienfeldt won't allow it.
Cartwright is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Rienfeldt is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cian Cartwright. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cartwright wants to take the fight to the mat but Rienfeldt manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Cartwright drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rienfeldt pulls his leg out and moves away.
Cian Cartwright seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rienfeldt looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A jab from Rienfeldt finds it's way through Cartwright's defenses.
Rienfeldt misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cartwright.
Cartwright shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rienfeldt sprawls well. Rienfeldt wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cartwright gets slowly back to his feet.
Cartwright on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Nice shot lands for Rienfeldt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rienfeldt feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Cartwright's calf.
Cartwright takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Cartwright chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rienfeldt can pounce on him.

Cartwright drives through with a takedown into Rienfeldt's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rienfeldt wants to stand but Cartwright is controlling the position.
Cartwright trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rienfeldt has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Rienfeldt trying to control the position.
Rienfeldt 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fredrik Rienfeldt dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Cartwright uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rienfeldt.
Rienfeldt slaps away a takedown attempt from Cartwright, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Cartwright shoots in but no luck this time.
Rienfeldt fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Rienfeldt connects with a solid leg kick.
Cartwright blocks the body kick.
Rienfeldt misses with a few strikes there.
Rienfeldt's jab looks to have found its range, popping Cartwright under the eye.
Cartwright shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rienfeldt as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cian Cartwright. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A chopping leg kick lands by Rienfeldt.
Rienfeldt is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Cartwright rather than just go for the knockout.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cartwright is defended easily by Rienfeldt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rienfeldt scoring well with a low kick there.
Cartwright fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cartwright chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rienfeldt can pounce on him.

Cartwright shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Rienfeldt is trying to defend but Cartwright finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Rienfeldt trying to control but Cartwright postures up.
Rienfeldt holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Cartwright is trying to control the action in half guard but Rienfeldt is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rienfeldt has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Cartwright is working away from the top position though.
Rienfeldt blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cartwright.
Cartwright prevents Rienfeldt from standing back up.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Cartwright is working for a submission of some sort.
Rienfeldt wants to control the action here but instead Cartwright manages to pass to full mount!
Rienfeldt has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rienfeldt keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
BOOM! Cartwright connects with a massive shot to the dome!

It looks like Fredrik Rienfeldt has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
BOOM! Cartwright connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Rienfeldt is trying desperately to improve position.

Cartwright jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Rienfeldt manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Cartwright wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rienfeldt keeps working.
Rienfeldt gets back to half guard.
Cartwright is keen to just control but Rienfeldt is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Cartwright seems content to control.
Cartwright trying to control from half guard but Rienfeldt is working away.
Rienfeldt is controlling Cartwright's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Cian Cartwright overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Cartwright seems to be working for a kimura but Rienfeldt defends the submission attempt.
Rienfeldt is trying to control but can't.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rienfeldt tries to get to full guard but Cartwright has control of the leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fredrik Rienfeldt showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Fredrik Rienfeldt's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Cartwright shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Cartwright was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Rienfeldt is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Cartwright's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Rienfeldt is defending against the submission attempts here by Cartwright.
Rienfeldt is trying to stand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cartwright seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rienfeldt does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Cartwright missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rienfeldt is controlling Cartwright's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Rienfeldt wants to control but Cartwright is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Rienfeldt is trying to escape back to his feet but Cartwright uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Cartwright wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rienfeldt keeps working.
Rienfeldt wants to control but Cartwright postures up.
Rienfeldt is pushing Cartwright's head away, looking to escape. Cartwright manages to hold on to the position though.
Fredrik Rienfeldt is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Cartwright advances to full mount.
Cartwright raining down shots from the mount!
Cartwright dominating with strikes here.

Cartwright goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Rienfeldt turns into him and now he's in Cartwright's guard.
Rienfeldt wants to get up but he can't break Cartwright's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Cartwright escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rienfeldt gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rienfeldt wants to stand but Cartwright has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Rienfeldt must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Rienfeldt is stalling in the full guard.
Rienfeldt passes into half guard.
Cartwright wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Rienfeldt tries to stand but can't do so whilst Cartwright controls his leg.

Rienfeldt decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Cartwright misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Rienfeldt connects with a solid leg kick.
Cartwright shoots in but Rienfeldt avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rienfeldt connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Cartwright momentarily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Cartwright manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Rienfeldt on his heels. He'll look to pass Rienfeldt's guard now, I'm sure.
Cartwright is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Cian Cartwright has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cartwright pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rienfeldt is keeping the position for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Cian Cartwright.
I think Rienfeldt has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fredrik Rienfeldt!