PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eddie Bjornsson (ranked 1080 p4p, 3680 weight class) and Jake Demuss (ranked 133 p4p, 412 weight class). Demuss comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Bjornsson
vs
Demuss

192 cm
35
275
23 - 14 - 0

185 cm
39
237
13 - 18 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 14 - 0, fighting out of London, Eddie Bjornsson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jake Demuss!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Ian Loll and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bjornsson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Demuss paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Demuss doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Bjornsson doesn't manage to clinch there - Demuss circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bjornsson is defended easily by Demuss.
Bjornsson backing away here, and Demuss unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Bjornsson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Bjornsson.
Demuss is trying to control Bjornsson's posture but Bjornsson avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Demuss is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bjornsson is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Demuss will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Bjornsson works to advance to full mount. Demuss defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Bjornsson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Bjornsson seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Demuss for as long as he can get away with.
We've been hearing that Bjornsson has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Bjornsson raining down hammerfists from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Demuss is looking to improve his position but Bjornsson isn't that keen on the idea.
Bjornsson dominating with strikes here.
Demuss is desperately trying to improve his position but Bjornsson has a good base and remains in mount.
Bjornsson looking to control and managing it successfully.
Bjornsson has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Bjornsson continues to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Demuss is in all sorts of trouble here.
Bjornsson controlling his opponent.
Demuss is trying to escape the mount.

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.
Demuss felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Bjornsson with the ground and pound from mount.
Bjornsson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie Bjornsson dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Bjornsson misses with a body punch

and Demuss counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Demuss lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Bjornsson lands a left hand.

It looks like Jake Demuss has been cut.
Bjornsson is working for takedown but Demuss is calmly controlling the position for now.
Bjornsson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bjornsson lands a body shot in the clinch.
Demuss is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Demuss lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Bjornsson tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eddie Bjornsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Demuss misses with a knee to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bjornsson managing to block the knees to the body from Demuss.
Demuss lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Bjornsson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bjornsson stalling against the cage.
Bjornsson misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bjornsson lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bjornsson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Demuss blocks an uppercut.
Bjornsson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Demuss avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Demuss fails to land.
Bjornsson throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Demuss blocks a body shot from Bjornsson.
Bjornsson wants to take the fight to the mat but Demuss manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Bjornsson throws a head punch that misses.
A short uppercut from Bjornsson.
Demuss blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Demuss stops a takedown attempt from Bjornsson.
Jake Demuss seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Bjornsson wants a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Demuss misses with a punch on the inside.
Bjornsson can't find room to land a body shot as Demuss controls the action.
Bjornsson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bjornsson avoiding damage.
Demuss scores a nice knee to the body.
Demuss tries a body shot but Bjornsson blocks it.
Bjornsson is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Demuss with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bjornsson tries to score a body lock takedown but Demuss shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Bjornsson lands a takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bjornsson slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Demuss looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Eddie Bjornsson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bjornsson looking to pass the guard.
Bjornsson is stalling in the full guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Demuss bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Demuss is trying to counter with his kicks.
A jab lands there for Bjornsson.
Bjornsson misses with a body shot.
Demuss misses with a hook

so Bjornsson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Bjornsson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie Bjornsson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jake Demuss's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Demuss slips a straight right by Bjornsson.
Decent striking displayed by Bjornsson there.

Bjornsson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Demuss tries to get to full guard but Bjornsson has control of the leg.
Bjornsson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Demuss with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Bjornsson trying to pass the guard but Demuss defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Demuss taking some punishment here, with Bjornsson in his half guard.
Demuss wants to control but Bjornsson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Bjornsson content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Demuss is looking for a sweep. Bjornsson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Bjornsson is looking to advance position but Demuss won't allow it.
Demuss moves into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Demuss being controlled here, momentarily.
Bjornsson stands and throws Demuss's legs to the side, diving into side control.
You can see the frustration on Demuss's face as Bjornsson controls the position.

Bjornsson is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Demuss is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Bjornsson moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bjornsson tries to advance to mount but Demuss denies him.
Demuss can't do much from the bottom here.
Demuss is looking to reverse the position.
Demuss really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bjornsson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bjornsson is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Demuss's shoulder. That is not cool.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. 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.
Bjornsson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Demuss as he avoids it easily.
Demuss slips under a jab.
Bjornsson with a lazy takedown attempt
and Demuss counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Bjornsson misses with an uppercut
and Demuss counters with a low kick, right behind Bjornsson 's knee.
Bjornsson misses with a hook.
Demuss doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Bjornsson doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Demuss counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Bjornsson is lucky that one didn't land flush.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eddie Bjornsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Demuss uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bjornsson.
Demuss wants to counter the offense by Bjornsson and move into the clinch position.
Demuss blocks a jab.
Demuss takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie Bjornsson clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Jake Demuss's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bjornsson lands a jab to the nose.

Bjornsson closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Demuss quickly recovers to half guard.
Bjornsson is controlling the pace.
Bjornsson has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Demuss tries to reverse the position but Bjornsson maintains control.
Bjornsson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Demuss is desperately trying to improve his position but Bjornsson has a good base and remains in mount.
Bjornsson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Bjornsson with a couple of short strikes.
Bjornsson lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bjornsson controlling the position easily from mount.
Demuss is trying to escape the mount.
Bjornsson controlling the pace for now.
Demuss is bucking up trying to escape but Bjornsson cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Bjornsson controlling the position easily from mount.
Bjornsson landing strikes from the mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bjornsson lands a nice shot to the head.
Bjornsson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Bjornsson raining down hammerfists from mount.
Bjornsson scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Demuss?
Bjornsson controlling the pace for now.
Bjornsson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Demuss can do to turn this around?
Demuss is trying to escape the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bjornsson controlling from the full mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bjornsson lands a nice shot to the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie Bjornsson had his way with Jake Demuss in that round.
The cut man is working on Jake Demuss's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Bjornsson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Demuss tries to avoid it but Bjornsson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Demuss to the ground. Demuss escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Demuss appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Bjornsson clobbers Demuss with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That has opened up Jake Demuss's cut even more.

Bjornsson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Demuss to the mat! Demuss manages to get full guard.
Bjornsson passes into half guard.
Still in half guard, Bjornsson seems content to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Demuss wants to improve his position but Bjornsson is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bjornsson sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Bjornsson is pressing down on Demuss's thigh, looking to free his foot. Demuss is holding on for now.
Bjornsson sitting and controlling from the half guard.
More hug and hope from Bjornsson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bjornsson misses with a right hand
and Demuss counters with a slapping leg kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Demuss. That snapped Bjornsson's head back.
Bjornsson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Bjornsson throws a hook but Demuss blocks it.
Bjornsson throws a predictable looking body shot
and Demuss counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Demuss lets loose with a powerful body kick. Bjornsson will feel that in the morning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bjornsson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Demuss tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Bjornsson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Bjornsson happy to just control the position for now.
Eddie Bjornsson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Demuss tries to bench press Bjornsson off him but Bjornsson keeps the position.
Jake Demuss has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Demuss trying to remain calm as Bjornsson controls from the top position.
A control attempt from Demuss but he's now mounted!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bjornsson controlling the pace for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eddie Bjornsson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bjornsson, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 50:45
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 50:45
Judge William Peck scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eddie Bjornsson!
Eddie Bjornsson retains his heavyweight title!
After winning the bout, Eddie Bjornsson thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
The defeated Jake Demuss had this to say: 'I will be back. Believe you me!'.