PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Balin Trollslayer (ranked 14 p4p, 54 weight class) and Torhte Finlayson (ranked 1 p4p, 3 weight class). Finlayson has chosen Scotland the Brave, Black Bear as his entrance music. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Trollslayer
vs
Finlayson

150 cm
34
265
34 - 7 - 0

190 cm
34
210
40 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

NARCOS
Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 34 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Balin Trollslayer!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 40 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Torhte Finlayson!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Richard Clark and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Finlayson thuds his right hand into Trollslayer's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Finlayson throws an off balance right hand

and Trollslayer counters with a takedown into side control.
Finlayson is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Trollslayer's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Finlayson is positioning himself well to prevent Trollslayer advancing to mount.
Trollslayer lands strikes from half guard.
Trollslayer sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Finlayson defending well though.
Trollslayer throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Trollslayer working Finlayson over with strikes.
Trollslayer throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Trollslayer thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Trollslayer not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Trollslayer throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Trollslayer throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
We've been hearing that Trollslayer has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trollslayer thows a huge punch but Finlayson dodges it nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Trollslayer throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Finlayson to regain full guard.
Finlayson looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Finlayson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Trollslayer postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Trollslayer might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Finlayson seems keen to control Trollslayer's posture.
Trollslayer throws a big elbow that misses.
Trollslayer postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Trollslayer throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Trollslayer accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Trollslayer throws a strike but Finlayson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Trollslayer trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Finlayson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Let's hope that Finlayson has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Trollslayer tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trollslayer trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Trollslayer trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Finlayson slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from Trollslayer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Finlayson prevents Trollslayer from improving his position.
Trollslayer missing with punches from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Finlayson throws a poor cross that misses

and Trollslayer counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Trollslayer.
Trollslayer postures up in Finlayson's guard and throws a big left but Finlayson blocks it.
Finlayson is pulling down on Trollslayer's head. It's preventing any offense from Trollslayer, at least for the moment.
Trollslayer throwing strikes but missing.
Finlayson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Finlayson is controlling Trollslayer's posture.
Trollslayer missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Trollslayer throwing strikes from guard but Finlayson blocks nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Balin Trollslayer dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Finlayson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Trollslayer. Trollslayer circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A big right from Finlayson misses.
Nice uppercut there from Finlayson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Finlayson takes a swing at Trollslayer's ribcage but misses.
The fighters circling - Finlayson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Trollslayer feinted with a counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Finlayson misses the target.
Trollslayer appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Trollslayer keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Finlayson.
Trollslayer tries to counter with a takedown but Finlayson is quick to defend against it.
Finlayson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Finlayson throws a body punch but Trollslayer moves out of range.
Trollslayer tries to counter with a takedown but Finlayson is quick to defend against it.
Finlayson scores with a punch to the head.
Finlayson throws a hook but Trollslayer blocks it.
Trollslayer attempts a counter takedown but Finlayson avoids it well and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Finlayson lands a head shot.
Trollslayer closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Finlayson might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Finlayson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Trollslayer looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Finlayson misses with an uppercut. Trollslayer saw that one coming.
Trollslayer attempts a counter takedown but Finlayson avoids it well and moves away.
Finlayson punishes Trollslayer's body with a nice straight punch.
Finlayson misses with a straight left.
Trollslayer appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Trollslayer.
Torhte Finlayson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Finlayson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Trollslayer manages to avoid it.
Finlayson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Trollslayer feinted with a counter takedown.
Torhte Finlayson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Finlayson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Trollslayer moves away.
Trollslayer gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Finlayson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Finlayson swings widly with a right hand

and Trollslayer counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Finlayson tries to roll over but Trollslayer keeps him under control.
Trollslayer throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Trollslayer with the ground and pound but Finlayson uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Trollslayer postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Finlayson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Trollslayer throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Trollslayer lands a couple of elbows.
Finlayson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Trollslayer throws a strike but Finlayson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Trollslayer looking to hit a scissor sweep but Finlayson is one step ahead there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Torhte Finlayson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Finlayson lands a really nice looking cross but Trollslayer seems unphased.
A big right from Finlayson misses.
Trollslayer half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab lands there for Finlayson.
Trollslayer steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Finlayson.
Trollslayer attempts a counter takedown but Finlayson avoids it well and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trollslayer defending well as Finlayson loads up on a big left hand.
Finlayson dips to his left and cracks Trollslayer with an uppercut!
Finlayson misses with an uppercut. Trollslayer saw that one coming.
Trollslayer uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Finlayson.
Trollslayer feinted with a counter takedown.
Trollslayer moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Finlayson throws the left hand but Trollslayer avoids the punch easily.
Trollslayer attempts a counter takedown but Finlayson avoids it well and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Trollslayer takes one to the chin there.
A looping hook to the body misses from Finlayson. Trollslayer does a little dance to reset his feet.
Finlayson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Trollslayer blocks a jab.
Trollslayer moves away from the strike by Finlayson.
Trollslayer feinted with a counter takedown.
Finlayson looks to land a left hand but Trollslayer moved out of range nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finlayson looks to score with a jab to the body but Trollslayer is just out of range.
Finlayson lands with a nice body punch.
Finlayson misses with an uppercut

and Trollslayer counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Trollslayer.
Trollslayer with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Trollslayer working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Finlayson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Trollslayer throws a big elbow that misses.
Finlayson is trying to keep Trollslayer in close.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Trollslayer accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Trollslayer throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Finlayson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Trollslayer postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Trollslayer postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Trollslayer loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Finlayson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Trollslayer missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Trollslayer works over Finlayson with some ground and pound from guard.
Finlayson is controlling Trollslayer's posture.
Trollslayer throws a strike but Finlayson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Finlayson controlling from the top position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Torhte Finlayson really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Trollslayer blocks a jab.
Finlayson misses the shot to the body.
Trollslayer tries to counter with a takedown but Finlayson is quick to defend against it.
Finlayson throws a big shot that misses.
Finlayson throws a body shot but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Finlayson connects with a single shot there.
Trollslayer slips under a jab from Finlayson.
Trollslayer half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Finlayson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Trollslayer.
Finlayson misses with a jab to the body

and Trollslayer counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Finlayson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Trollslayer throwing strikes but missing.
Trollslayer is pushing down on Finlayson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Finlayson is fighting to maintain full guard but Trollslayer has managed to sneak the leg through.
Trollslayer sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Finlayson defending well though.
Finlayson regains full guard. Nicely done.
Trollslayer in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Finlayson controls Trollslayer momentarily but Trollslayer frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Trollslayer throws a strike but Finlayson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Finlayson tries to free his leg and advance position but Trollslayer is retaining full guard.
Trollslayer trying to strike off his back.
Trollslayer has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Finlayson has passed into side control.
Trollslayer misses with a strike from the bottom.
Finlayson is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trollslayer struggling a bit here.
Trollslayer tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Finlayson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Finlayson wants to control for a moment but Trollslayer uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Trollslayer is looking for a sweep. Finlayson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Trollslayer lands with a few short shots to the body.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Finlayson is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Trollslayer avoids the body shot from Finlayson.
Trollslayer appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A big left from Finlayson misses.
Trollslayer attempts a counter takedown but Finlayson avoids it well and moves away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Torhte Finlayson dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Finlayson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Finlayson throws an overhand right that lands on Trollslayer's shoulder, as Trollslayer tries to avoid the shot.
Finlayson throws a body shot but no joy.
Finlayson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Trollslayer feinted with a counter takedown.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Finlayson jabs Trollslayer right on the nose. Trollslayer blinks but takes it well.
A jab from Finlayson misses.
Trollslayer changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Finlayson misses its intended target.
Trollslayer changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Finlayson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Trollslayer was well out of range. Poor timing from Finlayson.
Trollslayer drops down looking for a counter takedown but Finlayson sprawls and moves away.
Finlayson missing with a left hand there. Trollslayer was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Trollslayer feinted with a counter takedown.
Trollslayer uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Finlayson.
Balin Trollslayer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Finlayson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Trollslayer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Finlayson lands with a good body shot.
Finlayson misses with a wild body shot.
Trollslayer drops down looking for a counter takedown but Finlayson sprawls and moves away.
Jab from Finlayson.
Finlayson missing with a left hand there. Trollslayer was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Torhte Finlayson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Finlayson misses with a jab to the body

and Trollslayer counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Trollslayer throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Finlayson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trollslayer working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Trollslayer throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Trollslayer loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Trollslayer postures up in Finlayson's guard and throws a big left but Finlayson blocks it.
Trollslayer scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Trollslayer throwing strikes from guard but Finlayson blocks nicely.
Finlayson is adopting a defensive guard.
Trollslayer postures up in Finlayson's guard and throws a big left but Finlayson blocks it.
Trollslayer trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Trollslayer throws an elbow that misses. Finlayson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Trollslayer's guard. Nice move by Finlayson!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Trollslayer throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Trollslayer can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Finlayson controls the pace.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Trollslayer throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Torhte Finlayson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Finlayson 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 46:49
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 46:49
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Torhte Finlayson!
Torhte Finlayson is the new super heavyweight champion!
After winning the bout, Torhte Finlayson thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.