PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Balin Trollslayer (ranked 20 p4p, 56 weight class) and Torhte Finlayson (ranked 2 p4p, 2 weight class). Finlayson is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Scotland the Brave, Black Bear. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Torhte Finlayson was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Trollslayer
vs
Finlayson

150 cm
35
265
37 - 8 - 0

190 cm
35
210
43 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

NARCOS
Conviction

Bondi MMA 🏝️
NARCOS

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 37 - 8 - 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 43 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Torhte Finlayson!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Finlayson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Finlayson works Trollslayer's body with a nice hook.
Trollslayer avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Trollslayer attempts a counter takedown but Finlayson avoids it well and moves away.
Finlayson swings widly with a right hand

and Trollslayer counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Trollslayer.
Trollslayer connects with a couple of short punches.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Trollslayer accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Trollslayer missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Trollslayer with a flurry of punches that miss.
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!

Finlayson sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Finlayson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Finlayson controlling from the top position.
Trollslayer might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Trollslayer throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Trollslayer tries to strike from the bottom.
Finlayson advances position into side control!
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.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
The fighters circling - Finlayson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Trollslayer tries to counter with a takedown but Finlayson is quick to defend against it.
Trollslayer looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Nice uppercut there from Finlayson.
A slow jab from Finlayson misses its intended target.
Trollslayer closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Finlayson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Trollslayer half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Finlayson thuds his right hand into Trollslayer's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Finlayson misses with a wild body shot.
Trollslayer tries to counter with a takedown but Finlayson is quick to defend against it.
A swing and a miss from Finlayson.
Trollslayer feinted with a counter takedown.
A jab lands there for Finlayson.
Trollslayer takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Trollslayer ducks under a wild hook from Finlayson.
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.
Trollslayer slips under a jab.
The fighters circling - Finlayson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Finlayson throws a right hand that misses

and Trollslayer counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Trollslayer thows a huge punch but Finlayson dodges it nicely.
Finlayson is looking for a sweep. Trollslayer is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Finlayson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Trollslayer is looking to work some ground and pound but Finlayson has wrist control.
Finlayson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Trollslayer.
Finlayson pulls Trollslayer in to control the position.
Trollslayer throws a strike but Finlayson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Trollslayer being controlled here, momentarily.
Trollslayer bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Finlayson's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Trollslayer is looking to work some ground and pound but Finlayson has wrist control.
Finlayson has his hands on Trollslayer's head, controlling the position.
Trollslayer working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Trollslayer tries to free his leg and advance position but Finlayson is retaining full guard.
Trollslayer postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Trollslayer with a flurry of punches that miss.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Trollslayer missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Trollslayer postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
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 three minutes gone in the round.
Finlayson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Trollslayer trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Finlayson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Trollslayer punching from the bottom - just letting Finlayson know he's still in a fight.
Finlayson sitting in guard here, content to control.
Trollslayer tries to strike from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Finlayson content to stall in guard here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Balin Trollslayer will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Finlayson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Trollslayer. Trollslayer circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Finlayson misses with a hook. Trollslayer ducked under it nicely.
Trollslayer attempts a counter takedown but Finlayson avoids it well and moves away.
Finlayson throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Trollslayer counters with a nice double leg into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Trollslayer with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Finlayson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Trollslayer trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Trollslayer working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trollslayer throws a big elbow that misses.
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!

Trollslayer being controlled here, momentarily.
Trollslayer wants to sweep but no luck.
Trollslayer trying to strike off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Trollslayer wants to sweep but no luck.
Trollslayer trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Finlayson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Trollslayer is keeping the position for now.
Finlayson controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trollslayer striking off his back but it's not causing Finlayson any problems.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Finlayson postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Finlayson throws a looping overhand right but Trollslayer ducks down to avoid it.
Trollslayer tries to counter with a takedown but Finlayson is quick to defend against it.
Trollslayer ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Trollslayer appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Nice defenses there by Trollslayer.
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 throws a hook but Trollslayer avoids it easily.
Trollslayer appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Finlayson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Trollslayer looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Finlayson lands with a good body shot.
Finlayson misses with a body shot.
Trollslayer tries to counter with a takedown but Finlayson is quick to defend against it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Trollslayer moves out of range as Finlayson strikes.
Torhte Finlayson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Finlayson throws a lazy right hand but Trollslayer sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Torhte Finlayson really dominated that round.
That's time! Trollslayer's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Finlayson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Trollslayer sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Finlayson lands a jab to Trollslayer's midsection.
Trollslayer moves out of range as Finlayson strikes.
Finlayson is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Finlayson just misses with a punch to the body.
Trollslayer tries to counter with a takedown but Finlayson is quick to defend against it.
Finlayson throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Trollslayer counters with a takedown into side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Trollslayer landing strikes.
Trollslayer tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Finlayson parries the strikes from Trollslayer easily there. Trollslayer is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Finlayson to escape.
Trollslayer lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trollslayer working the ground and pound but Finlayson is defending the strikes.
Trollslayer misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Trollslayer looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Finlayson is avoiding damage well.
Trollslayer working the strikes but Finlayson uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Trollslayer throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Trollslayer sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Finlayson defending well though.
Trollslayer trying to mount his opponent but Finlayson defends it.
Trollslayer takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Trollslayer looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

It looks like Torhte Finlayson has been cut.
Trollslayer thows a huge punch but Finlayson dodges it nicely.
Trollslayer with the ground and pound but Finlayson uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Trollslayer working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

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 trying to control but Trollslayer is working from the bottom.
Finlayson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Trollslayer is striking off his back. Finlayson thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Finlayson slows the pace down in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trollslayer regains full guard. Nicely done.
Finlayson slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from Trollslayer.
Finlayson is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Trollslayer!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Trollslayer slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Finlayson is thwarting Trollslayer's attempts to control the position.
Finlayson content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Finlayson is continuing to stall.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Balin Trollslayer had his way with Torhte Finlayson in that round.
The cut man is working on Torhte Finlayson's cut.
That's time! Trollslayer's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Trollslayer moves away from the strike by Finlayson.
Finlayson ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Finlayson lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Finlayson missing with a left hand there. Trollslayer was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Trollslayer half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
A big right from Finlayson misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Finlayson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Trollslayer drops down looking for a counter takedown but Finlayson sprawls and moves away.
Finlayson misses with a wild body shot.
Trollslayer attempts a counter takedown but Finlayson avoids it well and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Finlayson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Finlayson throws out a powerful jab.
Finlayson lands with an overhand left.
Finlayson misses with a hook.
Finlayson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Trollslayer was well out of range. Poor timing from Finlayson.
Trollslayer half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Trollslayer moves out of range as Finlayson strikes.
Trollslayer appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Finlayson misses with a hook. Trollslayer ducked under it nicely.
Finlayson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Finlayson loads up on a big right hand but Trollslayer slips the punch.
Finlayson throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Trollslayer on the side of the head.
A big right from Finlayson misses.
Trollslayer attempts a counter takedown but Finlayson avoids it well and moves away.
Finlayson throws out a loose jab but Trollslayer uses good head movement to avoid it.
Trollslayer half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finlayson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Trollslayer.
Finlayson missing with a left hand there. Trollslayer was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Trollslayer appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Finlayson looks to land a right hand but Trollslayer moved out of range.
Trollslayer tries to counter with a takedown but Finlayson is quick to defend against it.
Finlayson throws an ugly left hook that misses

so Trollslayer counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
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.
Trollslayer throwing strikes from guard but Finlayson blocks nicely.
Trollslayer with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Trollslayer with a flurry of punches that miss.
Trollslayer throws a big elbow that misses.
Finlayson looking for a sweep. Not yet Finlayson, not yet.
Finlayson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Finlayson holds on and takes a little breather.
Trollslayer loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Trollslayer throwing strikes but missing.
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!

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Trollslayer throws a couple of weedy looking 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 47:48
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 46:49
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Torhte Finlayson!
Torhte Finlayson is the new super heavyweight champion!
Torhte Finlayson thanked the fans post fight for their support.