PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Finnish Experiment (ranked 401 p4p, 468 weight class) and Anton Strålman (ranked 42 p4p, 50 weight class). Strålman has chosen Three Kings as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Experiment
vs
Strålman

170 cm
37
149
23 - 16 - 3

172 cm
36
148
30 - 22 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conquer
Altitude Clothing

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 16 - 3, fighting out of Helsinki, Finnish Experiment!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 22 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Anton Strålman!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Strålman moves into the clinch.
A hook to the body from Experiment.
Experiment letting Strålman take a breather here.
Strålman blocks the elbow strike.
Experiment misses with some punches.
Experiment managing to block the knees to the body from Strålman.
Strålman avoids a wild elbow strike from Experiment.
Strålman avoids a wild elbow strike from Experiment.
Experiment dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Strålman has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Experiment avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Experiment is pushing Strålman up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Strålman blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Experiment throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Strålman breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Strålman scores with a four punch combination!
A nice combination there by Strålman.
Experiment has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Lab in the buildup to the fight.
Strålman throws a leg kick which misses Experiment's front leg but catches the back leg as Experiment tries to avoid it.
Strålman fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Experiment manages to avoid it.
A little feinted left hand from Experiment on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

Experiment moves into the clinch successfully.
Experiment digs a right hand underneath Strålman's ribcage. Strålman let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Strålman tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Experiment misses with a body punch.
A frustrated look appears on Strålman's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Experiment breaks the clinch.
Strålman misses with a double jab.
Experiment circles away from the clinch attempt.
Experiment appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Strålman throws a front kick that sends Experiment stumbling back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Strålman moves into the clinch.
Experiment misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Strålman blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Experiment tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Strålman blocks an elbow strike.
Strålman is trying to break the clinch but Experiment is controlling him.
Experiment misses with an elbow strike.
A right hook to the body lands for Strålman.
Strålman goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Strålman's coach down at whitey's gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Strålman's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

Strålman breaks from the clinch.
Strålman works the jab nicely.
Strålman looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Experiment swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Strålman feints a counter leg kick.
Strålman loads up on a big right hand but Experiment slips the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strålman throws a right and a left that both miss.
It looked like Experiment wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Strålman scores with a three punch combo!
Experiment has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Experiment there as he acknowledges the shot.
Strålman throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Experiment stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Experiment throws a looping overhand right but Strålman ducks down to avoid it.
Experiment avoids a punch combination nicely.
Experiment appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Experiment lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Strålman.
Experiment gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Experiment throws an elbow that misses.
Experiment can't find room to land a body shot as Strålman controls the action.

Strålman's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Anton Strålman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Strålman clinches.
Strålman is trying to break the clinch but Experiment has him pressed against the cage.
Experiment lands a nice shot to the body.
Experiment misses with an elbow over the top.
Experiment creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Strålman's defenses.
Strålman blocks an elbow strike from Experiment.
Experiment misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Experiment struggles to land a body shot inside as Strålman controls his hands.
Strålman stalling.
Experiment lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Experiment pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Experiment lands an elbow that stopped Strålman in his tracks for a moment.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Strålman dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Strålman throws a sloppy body shot
and Experiment counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Strålman fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Experiment throwing a counter right hand but Strålman manages to avoid it.
Strålman swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
As Strålman backs away, Experiment returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Strålman misses with a wild body shot.
Strålman lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Experiment circles away quickly and effectively.

Strålman takes the fight into the clinch.

Experiment's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Strålman misses with a series of wild punches.
Experiment avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
That kick from Strålman tenderised Experiment's leg. Experiment is trying to keep his angry face on.
Some bone on bone action there as Strålman checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Experiment scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Strålman misses with a hook.
A low kick from Strålman is predictable there
and Experiment counters with a straight right hand.
Nice straight punches there by Experiment. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Experiment.

Strålman is rocked!
Experiment takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Strålman is still on wobbly legs! Can Experiment finish him?

Strålman drives through and clinches with Experiment against the cage.
Strålman seems to have recovered his senses.
Experiment keeps control of Strålman as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Finnish Experiment has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Strålman manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Experiment circles away from the clinch attempt
and Experiment counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Strålman has closed the distance and engaged Experiment in a clinch.
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!
Strålman prevents a body shot from Experiment.

Experiment breaks the clinch.
No joy there for Strålman, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Strålman misses with a series of wild punches.
Experiment blocks a low kick nicely.
Strålman doesn't manage to clinch there - Experiment circles away.
Strålman just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromExperiment.
Strålman lands with a nice combination. Experiment backs away looking to recover.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strålman ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Experiment moves away.
Strålman throws a combination that misses
and Experiment counters with a left to the body.
Strålman lands a jab-cross combination.

Strålman clinches with his opponent.
Strålman blocks the elbow strike.
Experiment keeps control of Strålman as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Strålman blocks an uppercut.
Experiment can't find room to land a body shot as Strålman controls the action.
Strålman avoids a wild elbow strike from Experiment.
Experiment looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Experiment throws an elbow that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Strålman fails to land.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Experiment.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Experiment misses with an elbow over the top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Experiment tries to work over Strålman's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Experiment comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Experiment tries to work over Strålman's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Experiment stops a takedown attempt from Strålman.
Experiment looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Strålman takes an elbow to the forehead.
Strålman scores with a shot to the side of Experiment's head.
Strålman wants to break the clinch but can't.
Experiment pushes Strålman back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Experiment pushes off an throws an elbow but Strålman leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Experiment just misses with a elbow thrown towards Strålman's brow.
Strålman fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Experiment's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A jab from Strålman misses.
Strålman throws a body shot but no joy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Anton Strålman will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Strålman fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Experiment scores with a jab.
Strålman finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Experiment went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Anton Strålman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Strålman looks to clinch
and Experiment counters with a stiff right hand.
Experiment has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Experiment misses with a hook to the body
and Strålman counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Strålman swinging wildly here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Experiment moves out of range as Strålman throws a body kick.
No joy there for Strålman, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Experiment appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Some wild striking there from Strålman.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A decent looking cross lands there for Strålman.
Strålman throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Anton Strålman seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Strålman misses with a lunging right hand
and Experiment makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
A punch lands to the side of Strålman 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Strålman waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Experiment.
Experiment tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Strålman was well out of range. Poor timing from Experiment.
Strålman tries to clinch but Experiment moves out of range.
Experiment is looking to counter punch.
Strålman fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Strålman misses with the combination.
Experiment feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Finnish Experiment has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strålman looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Experiment pushes Strålman up against the cage in a clinch.
Experiment lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Experiment taking a breather.
Experiment struggles to land a body shot inside as Strålman controls his hands.
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!
Strålman fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Still in the clinch, Experiment scores with a nice short uppercut.
Experiment pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Strålman working hard to break the clinch.
Experiment misses with a body punch.
Experiment throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Experiment lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Experiment has Strålman pressed against the cage, preventing Strålman from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Experiment goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Experiment struggles to land a body shot inside as Strålman controls his hands.
Experiment tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Strålman's elbow.

Experiment breaks the clinch.
Strålman sizes up Experiment with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Strålman uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Experiment.
Strålman avoids the body shot from Experiment.
Experiment ducks under a wild hook from Strålman.
Experiment is looking to counter punch.
Experiment takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Strålman scores with a three punch combo!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strålman rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Experiment moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Experiment moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Anton Strålman is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Strålman has Experiment up against the cage in a clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Experiment lands a shot to the body.
Strålman working hard to break the clinch.
Experiment prevents Strålman from breaking the clinch.

Strålman breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Strålman throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Experiment throws a counter high kick but Strålman was just alert enough to avoid it.
Experiment showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Strålman.
Experiment throws a head kick that misses
and Strålman counters with a series of strikes. Experiment will be more careful next time no doubt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anton Strålman comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Strålman winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anton Strålman!
A less than humble Anton Strålman misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.
In defeat, Finnish Experiment stepped up to the mic, saying 'This was my last fight. Skills decling and chin gone. '.