PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Benedicte Swanson (ranked 2739 p4p, 305 weight class) and Monte Casanova (ranked 6707 p4p, 471 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Swanson
vs
Casanova

183 cm
24
174 lbs
2 - 2 - 1

160 cm
27
180 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Experienced

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 2 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Benedicte Swanson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Monte Casanova!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Aafke Stam and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Casanova has a takedown stuffed.
Casanova just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromSwanson.
Casanova tries to score a power double leg takedown but Swanson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Casanova somewhat.
Casanova looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Swanson is fending him off so far but Casanova persists. Nope, Swanson circles away and we're back to standing.
Benedicte Swanson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Monte Casanova.
Casanova looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A head kick misses from Swanson.
Casanova doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Swanson counters with a nice low kick that buckles Casanova's knee momentarily.
Swanson feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Casanovas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
A left lands for Swanson.
Swanson has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Casanova takes a head kick and keeps coming.

It looks like Monte Casanova has been cut.
Casanova shoots in for a takedown but Swanson shows good takedown defense.

Casanova decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Casanova lands with a punch from half guard.
Casanova thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Swanson's head.
Casanova has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nice strikes from Casanova there.
Casanova throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Casanova sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Swanson is looking to improve his position.
Casanova thows a huge punch but Swanson dodges it nicely.
Swanson is looking for a sweep. Casanova is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Swanson gets full guard.
Casanova being controlled here momentarily.
Swanson has momentary wrist control but Casanova slips an elbow through the middle.
Casanova is looking to work some ground and pound but Swanson has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Casanova throwing strikes from guard but Swanson blocks nicely.
Casanova postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Casanova stopping the sweep attempt from Swanson.
Casanova wants to control from the top but Swanson keeps moving.
Casanova is pushing down on Swanson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Swanson is fighting to maintain full guard but Casanova has managed to sneak the leg through.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Casanova lands a nice short elbow.
Swanson is looking to improve his position.
Casanova thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Swanson's head.
Casanova not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Casanova should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Swanson is controlling Casanova's trapped leg to prevent Casanova from advancing to side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Casanova with the ground and pound but Swanson uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Casanova trying to control but Swanson is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Swanson holds on and takes a little breather.
Swanson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Casanova controls the pace.
Casanova throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Swanson wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Casanova loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Casanova throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Casanova tries to free his leg and advance position but Swanson is retaining full guard.
Swanson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Casanova.
Casanova with a flurry of punches that miss.
Swanson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Casanova throws a strike but Swanson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Casanova manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Swanson manages to get himself to full guard.

Casanova lands a couple of digs.
Casanova working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Casanova in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Swanson holds on and takes a little breather.
Casanova throws a big right hand that misses.
Casanova with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Monte Casanova will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Monte Casanova's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Swanson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Casanova shoots in looking for a takedown. Swanson tries to sprawl out of it but Casanova keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Swanson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Casanova shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Swanson sprawls well. Swanson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Casanova gets slowly back to his feet.
Casanova shoots in looking for a takedown. Swanson tries to sprawl out of it but Casanova keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Swanson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Benedicte Swanson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Monte Casanova.
Swanson lands with a nice body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Swanson connects with a right hand. Casanova shakes it off.
Casanova will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Swanson half committed to a counter leg kick.
A thudding body kick lands there by Swanson!

Swanson gets caught napping as Casanova dives in and scores a takedown. Swanson manages to retain guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Casanova throwing strikes but missing.
Swanson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Casanova controls the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Casanova preventing the sweep.
Casanova throws a big elbow that misses.
Swanson keeping moving, preventing Casanova from controlling successfully.
Casanova sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Casanova working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Swanson's head.
Swanson is controlling Casanova's posture.
Swanson looking to control.

That's two 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.
Casanova throwing strikes from guard but Swanson blocks nicely.
Casanova is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Casanova throws an elbow that misses. Swanson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Casanova's guard. Nice move by Swanson!

Casanova bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Swanson's guard.

Swanson trying to keep a closed guard but Casanova is proving a slippery customer.
Casanova preventing the sweep.
Swanson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Casanova.
Swanson trying to keep a closed guard but Casanova is proving a slippery customer.
Swanson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Casanova is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Casanova in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Casanova works over Swanson with some ground and pound from guard.
Casanova content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Swanson has control of Casanova's left arm, preventing Casanova from doing any damage.
Casanova throws a big elbow that misses.
Swanson is looking to stand up but Casanova isn't so interested in that idea.
Casanova postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Casanova postures up and lands a big shot to Swanson's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Casanova with a flurry of punches that miss.
Casanova throwing strikes but missing.
Swanson looking to control.
Casanova missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Casanova loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Casanova postures up and lands a big shot to Swanson's brow.
Casanova lands a couple of digs.
Casanova postures up in Swanson's guard and throws a big left but Swanson blocks it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Casanova lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Swanson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Swanson controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Monte Casanova showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Monte Casanova's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Swanson leaves Casanova with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Casanova has eaten all the pies!
Casanova takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Casanova has his takedown stuffed
and Swanson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Casanova takes a jab right on the kisser.

Casanova looking to score a takedown here. Swanson is defending well but Casanova drives through and ends up in Swanson's guard.
Casanova throws a strike but Swanson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Casanova 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.
Casanova striking from his own guard.
Casanova looking to hit a scissor sweep but Swanson is one step ahead there.
Swanson stays in close to Casanova's body and controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Casanova 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.
Casanova keeping moving, preventing Swanson from controlling successfully.
Casanova wants to sweep here but Swanson controlling him for the moment.

Swanson stands up from Casanova's guard - Swanson perhaps looking for a knockout.
Casanova shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Swanson sprawls well. Swanson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Casanova gets slowly back to his feet.
Benedicte Swanson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Monte Casanova.
Casanova fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Swanson is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Swanson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Casanova.
Swanson thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Casanova if he has to take too many more of those.
Benedicte Swanson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Swanson throws a head kick that misses.
Casanova shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Swanson defends it nicely.
Swanson lands with a straight right. Casanova didn't see that one coming.
Swanson scores with a jab.
Casanova shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Swanson but Swanson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Swanson thuds a left hand into Casanova's body.
Casanova tries to score a power double leg takedown but Swanson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Casanova somewhat.
Swanson is looking to slow Casanova down with leg kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Casanova misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Casanova tries for a takedown but Swanson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Swanson lands a nice hook to Casanova's body. Casanova takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Casanova takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A jab lands there for Swanson.
Casanova tries to score a power double leg takedown but Swanson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Casanova somewhat.
Swanson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Monte Casanova seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Swanson scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Casanova fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Swanson avoids it really well and circles away.
It appears Swanson was looking to counter with a kick there.
Swanson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Casanova manages to avoid it.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Swanson, right into the meat.
Casanova on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Swanson. Swanson obviously looking to wear him down.
Casanova uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Swanson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Casanova shoots in and drives through. Swanson sprawls well.
Swanson misses with a head kick.
Casanova shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Swanson defends it nicely.
Casanova misses with a takedown attempt
and Swanson counters with a right hand to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Swanson stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Swanson looks to land a right hand but Casanova moved out of range.
Casanova tries for a takedown but Swanson circles away easily
enabling Swanson to counter with a crisp jab.
Swanson circles to his right before unloading a perfect head kick! Casanova drops to the canvas, hurt badly! Swanson follows Casanova to the ground and unloads with a series of strikes that force the referee to step in and end the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:44 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Benedicte Swanson!
In his post fight interview, Benedicte Swanson started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.