PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Simon Hedegaard (ranked 1634 p4p, 1909 weight class) and Chief Claw (ranked 205 p4p, 239 weight class). Simon Hedegaard has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Hedegaard
vs
Claw

208 cm
35
195
35 - 23 - 0

188 cm
43
200
30 - 29 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Brawler
Very quick

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
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 35 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Simon Hedegaard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 29 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chief Claw!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Paulsen Ambrosius and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hedegaard stuffs the takedown.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Claw.

Claw stands up and beckons Hedegaard to his feet.
Claw tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hedegaard sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Claw somewhat.

Hedegaard looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Claw!
Hedegaard advances nicely into full mount.
Hedegaard throwing strikes here but Claw is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hedegaard throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Hedegaard throwing strikes here but Claw is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Hedegaard tries to control but Claw wriggling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You get the feeling that Claw really doesn't like being in this position too much.

Hedegaard is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Claw can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Hedegaard tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Claw is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Claw is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Hedegaard punishing his opponent with strikes.
Claw is controlling an arm, preventing Hedegaard from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hedegaard looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Hedegaard lands a big shot there that rocks Claw but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

Claw defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Hedegaard.
You get the feeling that Claw really doesn't like being in this position too much.

Hedegaard is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Claw has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Claw!
Claw wants to stand and escape but instead Hedegaard has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hedegaard drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Claw manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Hedegaard has Claw in his guard.

Claw trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hedegaard's guard.

Claw got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hedegaard has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Claw has managed to get both his arms back between Hedegaard's legs - danger averted.
Claw wants to get up but he can't break Hedegaard's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Hedegaard escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Claw gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hedegaard is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Claw must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Claw decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Claw looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Simon Hedegaard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chief Claw.
Hedegaard shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hedegaard slaps away a takedown attempt from Claw, before circling back to the center of the mat.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Claw.
Nice sprawl there from Claw as Hedegaard shoots in.
Hedegaard shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Claw pinned against the cage. Claw gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Simon Hedegaard dominated that round.
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.

Claw gets a takedown into half guard.

Hedegaard kicks Claw off and gets back to his feet.
Hedegaard fails with a takedown attempt.
Claw shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hedegaard but Hedegaard pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hedegaard throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hedegaard misses with a series of wild punches.
Claw is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Hedegaard displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Claw.
Hedegaard swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Claw counters with a series of strikes. Hedegaard will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Claw shoots in looking for a takedown but Hedegaard manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Claw's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Simon Hedegaard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chief Claw.

Hedegaard closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Claw is looking to get back to his feet here but Hedegaard is keeping cool and he's managed to take Claw's back.
Claw is breathing heavily.

Hedegaard is cranking Claw's head sideways - that looks painful. He's managed to get his other arm under the chin and this looks bad for Claw! He's tightened the choke and Claw is tapping out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:32 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Simon Hedegaard!
An out of breath and clearly excited Simon Hedegaard thanked Altitude Clothing for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).