PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ragnar Bones (ranked 3705 p4p, 4413 weight class) and Elvis Ervin (ranked 0 p4p, 467 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Bones
vs
Ervin

210 cm
25
180
1 - 0 - 0

199 cm
24
180
1 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ragnar Bones!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Elvis Ervin!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Paul Gruel and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bones rushes Ervin and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A shot in the inside from Bones.

Bones drags the fight down to the ground.

Bones is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Bones lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Bones is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ervin has momentary wrist control but Bones slips an elbow through the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ervin wants to improve his position but instead Bones has moved into half guard.
Ervin has hold of Bones's hands but Bones slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Bones tries to stand and escape but Ervin is controlling the position.
Bones slows the pace down in half guard.
Bones throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Bones performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Bones lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bones tries to stand but can't do so whilst Ervin controls his leg.

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

Ervin with the active half guard here but Bones passes nicely into side control.
Bones is staying tight to Ervin's torso, preventing him from escaping.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bones cracks Ervin with a big right hand but Ervin just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Bones scores with punches from side control.
Ervin is looking to get back to his feet here but Bones is keeping cool and he's managed to take Ervin's back.
Bones controlling from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bones's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Bones has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Ervin grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Bones is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Ervin has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ragnar Bones dominated that 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.

Ervin leaves Bones with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Ervin is looking for the big counter here.
Bones swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Ervin counters with a nice uppercut.

Bones clinches with his opponent.
Bones lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Bones wants to take the fight to the mat but Ervin manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ervin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ervin wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bones has him pressed against the cage.
Bones tries for a takedown but Ervin manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ragnar Bones. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ervin throws a punch but it's blocked by Bones.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bones is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Bones gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ervin tries to roll over but Bones keeps him under control.
Ervin really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bones. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Ervin has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Bones is on him like a limpet, forcing Ervin back against the cage.

Bones ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Bones no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Ervin wants to stand but Bones has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Bones lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Ervin keeping full guard, as Bones tries to pass.
Bones really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bones working some strikes from top position.
Bones won't allow Ervin to get back to his feet.
Bones slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Bones drops back looking for a leg! Ervin is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ervin manages to kick Bones off! Bones jumps back into Ervin's guard.
Ervin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bones not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Bones would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ervin can do anything to dispel that myth.
Bones engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

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.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Bones tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Ervin counters with a one-two to the body.

Ervin tries to keep at a distance but Bones has taken the fight into the clinch.

Bones breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Bones has Ervin up against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ervin can't find room to land a body shot as Bones controls the action.
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 Ragnar Bones will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Bones swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ervin tries to counter by closing the distance.
Bones looks to throw a body kick
and Ervin counters with a three punch combo that has Bones backing up. Bones nods at Ervin to acknowledge the strikes.

Bones darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Bones prevents Ervin from improving his position.
Bones is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ervin can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ervin looks like he's trying to stand up.
Ervin regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ervin has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Bones is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Ervin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Bones successfully pulls guard.
Ervin stopping the sweep attempt from Bones.
Ervin being controlled here momentarily.
Bones wants to improve his position but instead Ervin has moved into half guard.
Bones flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bones keeping control of the position.
Ervin wants to stand up but Bones has a hold of him and won't allow it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bones misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ervin wants to counter with a clinch but Bones pushes him away.

Bones closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ervin tries to circle away but Bones has him pinned against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ervin throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Bones taking a breather.
Ervin avoids the elbow strike from Bones, against the cage.
Ervin misses with a hook from the clinch.

Bones lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Ervin is trying to stand up here but Bones is controlling him well.
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. Bones connects with a nice short shot to Ervin's temple.
Bones is looking to advance position but Ervin won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Bones seems content to control.

Bones is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Ervin looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Bones is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Elvis Ervin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ragnar Bones is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bones moves into side control, avoiding the strikes from Ervin.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ragnar Bones.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bones, 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 Josh West scores the fight 30:26
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 30:26
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ragnar Bones!
Ragnar Bones decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.