PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jonathan Logan (ranked 5828 p4p, 2868 weight class) and Himan Sym (ranked 553 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Logan
vs
Sym

180 cm
18
170
0 - 2 - 0

180 cm
25
179
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jonathan Logan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Himan Sym!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Arvi Lind and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Logan gets caught napping as Sym dives in and scores a takedown. Logan manages to retain guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Logan is on top in guard.

Sym looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Logan preventing the sweep.
Sym keeping moving, preventing Logan from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sym escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Logan gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Logan wants to control from the top but Sym keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sym is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sym's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
We've been hearing good reports from Logan's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Logan wants to control from the top but Sym keeps moving.

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

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.
Sym misses with a takedown attempt - Logan sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Logan misses the target.
Logan misses with a wild combination.
Sym throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Sym shoots for a takedown but Logan saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Sym changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Logan looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Sym working away.
Logan is trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sym wants to stand but Logan has his arm trapped.
Sym really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Logan. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sym working the head and body with strikes.
Sym lands a few punches from side control.
Logan is looking for a sweep.
Sym takes a little break here. Logan wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Logan tries to improve position but can't.

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.
Sym tries to advance to mount but Logan denies him.
Logan manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Nice strikes from Sym there.
Logan is trying to get back to full guard.
Sym content to control rather than advance.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Himan Sym dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Sym drives through with a takedown into guard.
Logan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Logan has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Sym is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Logan on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Logan goes for a takedown attempt but Sym pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Logan scoring well with a low kick there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sym drives through with a takedown into guard.
Logan trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sym won't allow Logan to sweep him here.
Sym landing some decent shots from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sym stays in close to Logan's body and controls the position.
Sym wants to get up but he can't break Logan's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Sym gets to his feet - Logan follows without any prompting.
Sym lands with a nice combination. Logan backs away looking to recover.

Sym dives in and scores a takedown into Logan's guard.

Logan has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Sym off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Sym forces Logan back against the cage and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sym breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sym looks for a takedown but Logan sprawls well.
Logan shoots in for a takedown but Sym shows good takedown defense.
Sym scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
A head kick misses from Sym.

Sym shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Sym showed some decent athleticism there.
Sym looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Himan Sym has got the better of the ground game so far.
Logan has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sym is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sym is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Logan trying to control but Sym postures up.
Sym is controlling the pace.
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. Sym connects with a nice short shot to Logan's temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

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

Sym decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Logan shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Sym counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jonathan Logan. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sym clinches up against the cage.

Logan breaks from the clinch.
Sym misses with a kick to the body
and Logan counters with a left and a right that stings Sym.
Logan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sym's waist but Sym gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Logan off to one side.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Himan Sym showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Sym tries to score a power double leg takedown but Logan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sym somewhat.
Jonathan Logan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Sym fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Logan to the ground. Sym is now in Logan's guard.
Sym has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sym is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Sym throwing strikes from guard but Logan blocks nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Logan looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sym is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Sym is continuing to stall.
Sym pushes down on Logan's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Logan tries to roll over but Sym keeps him under control.
Sym wants to stand but his hand is trapped. Logan uses the opportunity to regain full guard.

Sym drops back, looking for a kneebar! Logan looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Logan looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Logan!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Logan is working Sym over with some ground and pound from side control.
Sym wants to control but Logan postures up.
Logan postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

Logan stands up and beckons Sym to his feet.
An inside leg kick from Sym misses.
Logan wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

Sym clinches up with Logan and pushes him back against the cage.
Sym presses Logan against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sym can't break the clinch.

Sym pulls guard.
Sym has a closed guard, preventing Logan from standing up.
Sym has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Logan has passed into side control.

Logan tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sym is trying to work for a sweep but Logan has mounted him!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sym is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Sym tries to improve his position but instead Logan has taken his back!
Sym trying to control the hands but Logan breaks the grip.
Sym rolls, trying to escape but Logan keeps control of the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Jonathan Logan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Himan Sym is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jonathan Logan showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Sym has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Himan Sym!