PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Norman Pearson (ranked 1255 p4p, 1360 weight class) and Arild Ringnes (ranked 149 p4p, 164 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Pearson
vs
Ringnes

180 cm
32
272
17 - 13 - 0

202 cm
26
282
10 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

KOMBAT KLOTHING
Sydney Fight Gear (London Rebirth)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Norman Pearson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Arild Ringnes !
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pearson takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Pearson definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Pearson chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Ringnes clinches with his opponent.

Pearson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ringnes has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.

Pearson moves into the clinch.
Ringnes tries to work over Pearson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Pearson breaks from the clinch.

Ringnes rushes Pearson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ringnes misses with the head strike.
Ringnes fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Pearson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short right from Ringnes on the inside.
Pearson tries to break the clinch but Ringnes is controlling the position.
Pearson is trying to break free.
Pearson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ringnes has him pressed against the cage.
Pearson is trying to push Ringnes away but Ringnes has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Ringnes prevents a body shot from Pearson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ringnes swings wildly with an uppercut but Pearson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ringnes scores with a nice hook to the head.

Pearson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Pearson tries to close the distance and clinch but Ringnes swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Pearson moves into range and clinches up with Ringnes .
Ringnes tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Pearson avoids it.
Ringnes missing with knees to the body.
Ringnes throws a punch but it's blocked by Pearson.
Ringnes swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ringnes misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ringnes lands with a short shot to the head.
Ringnes scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Ringnes 's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ringnes gets through Pearson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ringnes lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ringnes misses with some punches.
Ringnes lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Pearson blocking some punches.
Nice body punch from Ringnes .
Ringnes lands a body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Pearson.
Ringnes is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Pearson is defending well for now.
Pearson blocking some punches.
Ringnes swings wildly with an uppercut but Pearson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ringnes keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Pearson's efforts to push away.
Ringnes swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ringnes swings wildly with an uppercut but Pearson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ringnes lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A head punch on the inside from Ringnes fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ringnes .
Ringnes lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Pearson tries to break free but Ringnes pushes him back against the cage.

Pearson breaks from the clinch.
Ringnes fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pearson manages to avoid it.
Pearson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Pearson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ringnes misses with a two punch combination.
Ringnes throws a low kick but Pearson avoids it.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ringnes misses with the head strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ringnes tries to land knees in the clinch but Pearson avoids the damage to the body.
Ringnes throws a head punch that misses.
Ringnes blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Pearson tries to break the clinch but Ringnes is controlling the position.
Knees in the clinch landing for Ringnes .
Ringnes has a couple of punches blocked by Pearson.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pearson lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ringnes .
Ringnes swings wildly with an uppercut but Pearson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pearson tries to break the clinch but Ringnes is controlling the position.

Pearson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Pearson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Ringnes instigates a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Pearson swats away the attempt to clinch by Ringnes .
Pearson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Ringnes moves into range and clinches up with Pearson.
Ringnes putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Pearson in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Ringnes misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ringnes misses with some punches.
Pearson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ringnes unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Ringnes throws a head punch that misses.
Ringnes throws a punch but it's blocked by Pearson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ringnes has Pearson pressed against the cage, preventing Pearson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Ringnes lands a nice uppercut.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Pearson blocking some punches.
Pearson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ringnes throws a punch but it's blocked by Pearson.
Pearson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ringnes misses with a hook from the clinch.
Pearson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Pearson blocking some punches.
Ringnes working aggressively here.
Ringnes working aggressively here.
Pearson blocks a body shot from Ringnes .
Ringnes throws a punch but it's blocked by Pearson.
Ringnes has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Pearson wants to break free but Ringnes has control.
A short right from Ringnes .
Pearson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Pearson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Pearson throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ringnes has a couple of punches blocked by Pearson.
Pearson is trying to break free.
Ringnes lands with a left to the head.
Arild Ringnes seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ringnes misses with a short punch on the inside.
Pearson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Pearson is trying to break free.
Ringnes swings wildly with an uppercut but Pearson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ringnes misses with some punches.
Ringnes misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ringnes throws a head punch that misses.

Pearson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Pearson tries to move into range but Ringnes moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A punch combination from Pearson misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ringnes throws a hook but Pearson blocks it.
Ringnes misses with a looping left.
Pearson is looking to clinch.
Ringnes dodges the punch combination from Pearson.
A punch combination from Pearson misses.
Pearson will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Ringnes tries to counter by closing the distance.
Pearson misses with the combination.
Pearson throws the kick towards the body but Ringnes avoids it.
A combination from Pearson does no damage.
Pearson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Pearson circles away from the clinch attempt.

Ringnes clinches.
Pearson blocking some punches.
Pearson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ringnes misses with the head strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pearson blocking some punches.
Ringnes lands a right hand that snaps the head of Pearson backwards.
Ringnes throws a head punch that misses.
Nice body punch from Pearson - that landed with a thud.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ringnes has a couple of punches blocked by Pearson.
Pearson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ringnes swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Pearson has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Pearson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ringnes swings wildly with an uppercut but Pearson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ringnes misses with a hook from the clinch.
Pearson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ringnes backwards.

Pearson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ringnes is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arild Ringnes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Ringnes will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Pearson instigates a clinch.
Pearson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Pearson has had enough of the clinch but Ringnes keeps him there for the moment.
Ringnes has a couple of punches blocked by Pearson.
Ringnes tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ringnes fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ringnes tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Pearson avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Pearson breaks from the clinch.
Norman Pearson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Pearson moves into the clinch successfully.
A left hand lands to the body for Pearson.

Pearson manages to break the clinch.
The crowd cheers as Pearson lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ringnes doesn't seem phased though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pearson tries to close the distance and clinch but Ringnes swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Pearson misses with a looping right.
Pearson misses the jab.
Ringnes takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Pearson throws a leg kick that misses.

Ringnes clinches up against the cage.
Ringnes swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Pearson blocks an uppercut.
Pearson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Ringnes fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ringnes .
A frustrated look appears on Pearson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Ringnes misses with some punches.

Pearson breaks the clinch.
Pearson swinging wildly here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ringnes is looking to clinch but Pearson is avoiding it.
Norman Pearson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pearson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Pearson closes the distance and clinches.
A head punch on the inside from Ringnes fails to land.
Pearson tries to circle away but Ringnes has him pinned against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Pearson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Ringnes fails to land.
Ringnes throws a head punch that misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pearson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Pearson is trying to break the clinch but Ringnes is controlling him.
Ringnes prevents Pearson from breaking the clinch.
Ringnes misses with a hook from the clinch.
Pearson wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ringnes goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Pearson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Pearson blocking some punches.
Pearson tries to throw a body punch but Ringnes avoids it by throwing Pearson back against the cage.
Ringnes has Pearson pressed against the cage, preventing Pearson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Pearson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Pearson is looking to break free of the clinch but Ringnes has double underhooks.
Arild Ringnes is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Pearson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Pearson lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Pearson misses with a punch to the body.
Pearson tries to circle away but Ringnes has him pinned against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Pearson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Pearson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Pearson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ringnes misses with a punch on the inside.
Ringnes keeps control of Pearson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Pearson wants to break free but Ringnes has control.
Pearson is trying to break free.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pearson just leaning against Ringnes , taking a breather.

Pearson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

And that's the end of the fight!
Norman Pearson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ringnes 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arild Ringnes !
An out of breath and clearly excited Arild Ringnes thanked HELLS BALLS RECOVERY for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).
Norman Pearson spoke after the fight, saying 'I knew I was better in the clinch so I did my best to get in that area and smash him. Obviously that gameplan didn't work. I will get back to camp and re-evaluate where we went wrong. Thank you all for coming out! '.