PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Anton Ilmarinen (ranked 50 p4p, 148 weight class) and Balin Trollslayer (ranked 2 p4p, 14 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ilmarinen
vs
Trollslayer

186 cm
34
198
22 - 6 - 0

150 cm
39
265
47 - 11 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Conviction
Kersikov's Vitamin Clinic (160)

Conviction
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 22 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Anton Ilmarinen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 47 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Balin Trollslayer!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ilmarinen throws a lazy uppercut

so Trollslayer counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ilmarinen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Trollslayer's guard.

Ilmarinen passes Trollslayer's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
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. Ilmarinen connects with a nice short shot to Trollslayer's temple.

Ilmarinen is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Trollslayer doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ilmarinen.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ilmarinen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ilmarinen is looking to pass Trollslayer's guard but actually Trollslayer recovers to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ilmarinen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Ilmarinen will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Ilmarinen passes Trollslayer's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Ilmarinen seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Ilmarinen looks to land a strike but Trollslayer avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Ilmarinen throwing strikes from guard but Trollslayer blocks nicely.

That's two 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.
Ilmarinen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ilmarinen tries to free his leg and advance position but Trollslayer is retaining full guard.
Ilmarinen throwing strikes but missing.
Ilmarinen preventing the sweep.
Ilmarinen throws a big elbow that misses.
Trollslayer can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Ilmarinen controls the pace.
Ilmarinen wants to control from the top but Trollslayer keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trollslayer takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Ilmarinen throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Ilmarinen lands a nice looking body shot.
Ilmarinen scores with a punch to the head.
Ilmarinen scores with a jab to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Trollslayer takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Ilmarinen's corner calls for a 1-2. Ilmarinen obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Ilmarinen misses with an uppercut.
Trollslayer feints the counter takedown.
Ilmarinen is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

Trollslayer tries to sprawl but Ilmarinen drives through with a takedown into half guard.
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!
Ilmarinen wants to pass to mount but Trollslayer is defending the position.
Ilmarinen is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ilmarinen thows a huge punch but Trollslayer dodges it nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Ilmarinen 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.

Ilmarinen connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Trollslayer gets caught flat footed, as Ilmarinen shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Trollslayer wants to improve his position but instead Ilmarinen has moved into half guard.
Ilmarinen wants to pass the guard but Trollslayer is defending well.
Ilmarinen passes to side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ilmarinen lands a nice forearm strike.
Trollslayer dodges the ground and pound from Ilmarinen.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ilmarinen tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Ilmarinen tries to move into full mount but can't pass Trollslayer's legs.
Ilmarinen controls the position from side control.

Ilmarinen has an Americana. Trollslayer didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Ilmarinen is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Ilmarinen hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Anton Ilmarinen!
Anton Ilmarinen retains his super heavyweight title!
A relieved looking Anton Ilmarinen thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.