PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Torkel Bystrom (ranked 2940 p4p, 3214 weight class) and Yoel Romero (ranked 304 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Bystrom
vs
Romero

202 cm
30
255
7 - 8 - 0

193 cm
28
265
7 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Powerful

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 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Torkel Bystrom!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yoel Romero!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Vladimir Khabensky and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bystrom chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Romero gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Bystrom counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Bystrom moves into the clinch.

Bystrom jumps into guard, dragging Romero to the mat.

Romero postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Bystrom is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Romero, into his guard.

Bystrom avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Romero is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Bystrom defends well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bystrom gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Bystrom fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Romero, pushing him back against the cage.
Bystrom cracks Romero with a nice body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romero goes for a takedown in the clinch but Bystrom prevents it.
Bystrom prevents a takedown attempt there.
Torkel Bystrom has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yoel Romero.
Romero managing to block the knees to the body from Bystrom.
Bystrom slowing the pace effectively.
Romero managing to block the knees to the body from Bystrom.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Bystrom tightens his grip and picks Romero up, before dumping him to the ground. Romero manages to land in guard.
Bystrom is looking to stand up but Romero won't let him.

Bystrom gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Bystrom moves into range and clinches up with Romero.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bystrom tries to land knees in the clinch but Romero avoids the damage to the body.
Nice body punch from Bystrom - that landed with a thud.
Romero managing to block the knees to the body from Bystrom.
Bystrom taking a breather.
Romero wants to take the fight to the mat but Bystrom manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Romero drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bystrom utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Romero looks winded!

Bystrom gets a trip takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Bystrom stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Bystrom works Romero's body with a nice hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bystrom cracks Romero with a good jab.

It looks like Yoel Romero has been cut.
Torkel Bystrom seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick by Bystrom - that's a beauty! Romero is out but he's somehow still standing... he's going... going... gone. Like a drunk walking down the middle of the road, the inevitable face plant follows and the delayed knockout arrives. Even Bystrom can't help but laugh at the bizarre end to this one!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:18 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Torkel Bystrom!
Our winner, Torkel Bystrom, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.