PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sven Ludwig (ranked 902 p4p, 124 weight class) and Darrel Petersen (ranked 955 p4p, 130 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Ludwig
vs
Petersen

185 cm
29
199 lbs
20 - 11 - 0

182 cm
31
190 lbs
18 - 12 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Conviction

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 20 - 11 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sven Ludwig!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Darrel Petersen!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Steve Smith and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Petersen throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Petersen works the jab nicely.
Petersen takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Petersen slips under a jab from Ludwig.

Ludwig has Petersen up against the cage in a clinch.
Ludwig lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ludwig has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Petersen avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Ludwig swings wildly with an uppercut but Petersen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Petersen misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ludwig working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Ludwig is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Petersen gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ludwig blocks an uppercut.
Petersen is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sven Ludwig. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ludwig has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Petersen after a bit of a struggle.

Ludwig has picked Petersen up - he's going for a ride! Ludwig dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Petersen is trying to get back to full guard.
Ludwig throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ludwig wants to pass to mount but Petersen is defending the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Petersen manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Ludwig being controlled here momentarily.
Ludwig has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Ludwig postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Ludwig postures up and lands a big shot to Petersen's brow.
Petersen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ludwig.

Petersen is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ludwig defends well.
Ludwig in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petersen is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Petersen is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Ludwig stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Petersen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Petersen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ludwig.
Ludwig throws a big right hand that misses.
Ludwig throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Petersen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Petersen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Petersen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ludwig.
Ludwig throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Petersen looking to control.
Ludwig postures up in Petersen's guard and throws a big left but Petersen blocks it.
Ludwig lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petersen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ludwig stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Petersen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ludwig throws an elbow that misses. Petersen uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ludwig's guard. Nice move by Petersen!

Petersen chips away with some ground and pound.
Ludwig looking for a sweep. Not yet Ludwig, not yet.
Ludwig is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Petersen throws a big right hand that misses.
Petersen wants to control from the top but Ludwig keeps moving.
Petersen slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Ludwig is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ludwig working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Ludwig seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Petersen taking some punishment here, with Ludwig in his half guard.
Ludwig throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ludwig not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ludwig throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ludwig is looking to take a break and control but Petersen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Petersen wants to control but Ludwig is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sven Ludwig dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ludwig shoots in but no luck this time.
Petersen has a takedown stuffed.
Petersen connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Ludwig shoots in looking for a takedown but Petersen manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ludwig's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Petersen scores with a shot to the body.
Petersen tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ludwig defends well and Petersen ends up having to push Ludwig into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Petersen slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

Ludwig moves into the clinch.
Ludwig is trying to drag Petersen to the mat but Petersen just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sven Ludwig. That's going to take a lot out of him.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Petersen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Petersen creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Petersen is trying to drag Ludwig to the mat but Ludwig just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Ludwig gets a trip takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Petersen manages to get to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petersen trying to control the position.
Ludwig is looking to work some ground and pound but Petersen has wrist control.
Petersen wants to sweep here but Ludwig controlling him for the moment.
Ludwig throwing strikes from guard but Petersen blocks nicely.
Ludwig distracts Petersen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ludwig preventing the sweep.
Ludwig looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Ludwig cracks Petersen with a solid left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Petersen pulls Ludwig in close to prevent any damage.
Petersen lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Ludwig wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Ludwig looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Petersen lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Ludwig looking to control.
Petersen is looking to work some ground and pound but Ludwig has wrist control.
Petersen looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ludwig manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Petersen manages to get himself to full guard.

Petersen looking for a sweep. Not yet Petersen, not yet.
Ludwig with a nice head shot there.
Ludwig passes Petersen's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Ludwig landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Petersen works his way to full guard. Good work.
Ludwig trying to control but Petersen is working from the bottom.
Ludwig stopping the sweep attempt from Petersen.
Petersen keeping moving, preventing Ludwig from controlling successfully.
Petersen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Petersen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ludwig stands up over Petersen, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Ludwig stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Petersen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ludwig with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ludwig works over Petersen with some ground and pound from guard.
Petersen 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ludwig in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Petersen controlling Ludwig's posture.
Petersen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ludwig is one step ahead there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Petersen wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Sven Ludwig will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Ludwig throws a series of punches but Petersen avoids them all with ease.
Petersen smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Petersen scores with a one two! Ludwig had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Petersen loads up on a big right hand but Ludwig slips the punch.
Ludwig throws the kick towards the body but Petersen avoids it.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Petersen fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Ludwig is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Petersen can do to turn this around?
Ludwig tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ludwig needs to keep his hands up - Petersen had a free shot at his head there.
Nice straight punches there by Ludwig. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Ludwig.
Petersen uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ludwig shoots in for a takedown but Petersen shows good takedown defense.
Petersen lands a nice shot that snaps Ludwig's head back.
Petersen blocks a jab.
Petersen connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Petersen lands a body shot.

Ludwig moves into range and clinches up with Petersen.
Petersen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Petersen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ludwig with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Petersen has picked Ludwig up - he's going for a ride! Petersen dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Ludwig has one foot on Petersen's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Petersen is looking to clinch but Ludwig is avoiding it.
Petersen throws a looping overhand right but Ludwig ducks down to avoid it.
Petersen throws a jab when Ludwig was well out of range.
Petersen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ludwig throws a shot from downtown. Petersen moves away and avoids it.
No joy there for Ludwig, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nice shot lands for Petersen.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ludwig misses with a hook.
Nice uppercut there from Petersen.
Petersen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Petersen scores with a jab to the head.
The fighters circling - Petersen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ludwig changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Petersen tries to avoid it but Ludwig manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Petersen to the ground. Petersen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ludwig just misses with a punch to the body.
Darrel Petersen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Petersen is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petersen scores with a jab. Ludwig acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Ludwig clinches up against the cage.
Petersen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Petersen is working for takedown but Ludwig is calmly controlling the position for now.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Petersen.
Petersen throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ludwigs head.
Ludwig unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Ludwig goes for a takedown attempt but Petersen pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sven Ludwig. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ludwig gets a clinch.

Ludwig breaks the clinch.
Ludwig connects with a body shot.
Ludwig misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Petersen ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Ludwig moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ludwig looking to throw knees to the head but Petersen is blocking nicely.
Ludwig misses with a punch to the body.
Ludwig blocks an uppercut.
Ludwig lands a knee to the body.
Petersen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ludwig goes for a takedown in the clinch but Petersen prevents it.
Petersen is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Ludwig goes for a takedown in the clinch but Petersen prevents it.
Ludwig prevents a body shot from Petersen.
Petersen gets through Ludwig's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Ludwig lands a hook that snaps the head of Petersen backwards.
Ludwig tries for a takedown but Petersen manages to get underhooks.
Sven Ludwig has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Petersen is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Petersen lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Petersen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ludwig has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Petersen after a bit of a struggle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Petersen.
Petersen lands a hook that snaps the head of Ludwig backwards.

Petersen gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Ludwig regains guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Petersen sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Ludwig's guard.
Ludwig is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Petersen scores with a couple of nice shots.
Petersen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Petersen drops an elbow to the side of Ludwig's head.
Petersen seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Petersen wants to free his trapped foot but Ludwig is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Darrel Petersen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ludwig blocking the ground and pound attempt from Petersen.
Ludwig keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sven Ludwig is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ludwig is trying to maintain the position but Petersen is very close to passing his half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Darrel Petersen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ludwig 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sven Ludwig!
After the fight, Sven Ludwig was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.