PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Simon Hedegaard (ranked 618 p4p, 2273 weight class) and Chief Claw (ranked 82 p4p, 280 weight class). Chief Claw has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Hedegaard
vs
Claw

208 cm
31
195
29 - 14 - 0

188 cm
40
200
22 - 21 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very quick

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

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 29 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Simon Hedegaard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chief Claw!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Daniel Blasius and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Claw drives through and clinches with Hedegaard against the cage.

Claw gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Hedegaard regains guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hedegaard keeping full guard, as Claw tries to pass.
Claw keeps trying to improve his position.
Claw stopping the sweep attempt from Hedegaard.
Hedegaard really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Claw drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Claw jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Hedegaard looking for a guillotine here but Claw defends easily.

Claw drops back looking for a leg! Hedegaard is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Hedegaard manages to kick Claw off! Claw jumps back into Hedegaard's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hedegaard is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Claw wants to pass the guard but Hedegaard is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hedegaard is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Claw is aware though and is defending well.

Hedegaard working for a triangle but Claw defends it easily.
Hedegaard seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

Hedegaard had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Claw defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hedegaard is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Claw looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Hedegaard is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Claw sees it coming and defends easily.
Claw wants to get back to full guard.
Claw wants to control but Hedegaard is keeping busy.
Hedegaard wants to lay and pray for a moment but Claw keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Claw looking for submissions off his back.
Hedegaard is keen to just control but Claw is a slippery customer.

Claw looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Claw wants to control but Hedegaard is keeping busy.

Hedegaard is working for a submission of some sort.
Hedegaard wants to take a breather but Claw is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Claw actively working from the bottom here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Claw manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Claw has his foot on Hedegaard's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hedegaard works his way back into a safe position though.
Claw looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hedegaard trying to control but Claw is working from the bottom.
Hedegaard will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hedegaard looking to pass the guard.

Claw escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hedegaard gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hedegaard is in close to Claw's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Hedegaard thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Claw has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hedegaard can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hedegaard trying to control but Claw is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Claw is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hedegaard defends well.
Hedegaard trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hedegaard makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Claw working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hedegaard doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hedegaard manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hedegaard forces his way into half guard.

Hedegaard wants to work for an arm triangle but Claw is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Hedegaard is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Claw is just riding it out for now. Hedegaard eventually gives up the hold.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hedegaard is keen to just control but Claw is a slippery customer.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Simon Hedegaard dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Claw throws a head kick but Hedegaard moves out of range.
Claw closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hedegaard circles away.
Claw bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Hedegaard's head.
Hedegaard takes a kick to the side of the head.
Hedegaard defending well as Claw loads up on a big left hand.
Hedegaard moves out of range as Claw strikes.
Hedegaard moves out of range of the strikes.
Claw falls off balance throwing a combination

and Hedegaard counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Claw escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hedegaard gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Claw keeping moving, preventing Hedegaard from controlling successfully.

Hedegaard drops back looking for a leg! Claw is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Claw manages to kick Hedegaard off! Hedegaard jumps back into Claw's guard.
Hedegaard scoring with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hedegaard wants to control from the top but Claw keeps moving.
Hedegaard working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Hedegaard avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Claw throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Hedegaard pushing down on Claw's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Claw actively working from the bottom here.
Claw is trying to control but can't.
Claw is in trouble now - Hedegaard has advanced to mount!
Claw is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Hedegaard working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hedegaard lands a nice shot to the head.
Claw is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Hedegaard cracks Claw with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

Hedegaard looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Claw manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Hedegaard is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Claw can do to turn this around?

Claw looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Hedegaard controlling the action here.
Hedegaard takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Claw is defending against the submission attempts here by Hedegaard.
Claw works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Claw looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Hedegaard pushes down on Claw's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Hedegaard is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Hedegaard connects with a nice short shot to Claw's temple.
Hedegaard wants to pass the guard but Claw is defending well.
Hedegaard lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Hedegaard is working for a submission of some sort.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hedegaard wants to control but Claw is keeping him busy.
Hedegaard is really struggling to control Claw but he's trying to hold on to the position.

Claw looking for submissions off his back.

Hedegaard is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Hedegaard tries to pass the half guard into mount. Claw knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Hedegaard trying to control from half guard but Claw is working away.

Claw looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Simon Hedegaard dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Hedegaard looks to throw the jab but Claw is out of range.
Chief Claw seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Claw will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Claw throws an overhand right that lands on Hedegaard's shoulder, as Hedegaard tries to avoid the shot.
Claw lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Hedegaard bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Hedegaard darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Hedegaard scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Hedegaard connects with a nice short shot to Claw's temple.

Claw looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Claw has hold of Hedegaard's hands but Hedegaard slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Claw actively working from the bottom here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hedegaard trying to control the action but Claw is working from the bottom.
Claw takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Claw is defending against the submission attempts here by Hedegaard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Claw looking for submissions off his back.
Hedegaard lands strikes from half guard.
Hedegaard lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Claw looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Hedegaard looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Hedegaard is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hedegaard wants to free his trapped foot but Claw is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Hedegaard lands strikes from half guard.
Hedegaard is looking to take a break and control but Claw is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hedegaard prevents Claw from improving his position.

Hedegaard is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hedegaard is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Claw defends it well.

Claw is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hedegaard pulls his head out easily.

Claw actively working from the bottom here.
Hedegaard trying to control from half guard but Claw is working away.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Hedegaard lands a nice short elbow.
Hedegaard is trying to control. Claw wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Hedegaard trying to mount his opponent but Claw defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Claw looking for subs from the bottom but Hedegaard mounts him!
Claw is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Hedegaard looking to control but Claw is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Claw is working to get back to half guard.
Claw sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Hedegaard is working for a submission of some sort.
Chief Claw has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice strikes from Hedegaard there.
Simon Hedegaard is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Claw tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Simon Hedegaard showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hedegaard, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Simon Hedegaard!
Simon Hedegaard really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Altitude Clothing logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.