PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eddie Bjornsson (ranked 995 p4p, 2337 weight class) and Jake Demuss (ranked 118 p4p, 259 weight class). Demuss has chosen Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Bjornsson
vs
Demuss

192 cm
36
275
25 - 14 - 0

185 cm
39
282
15 - 19 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple 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 25 - 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 15 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jake Demuss!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Dean Styles and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Demuss tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bjornsson was well out of range. Poor timing from Demuss.
Bjornsson throws a right hand that misses
and Demuss makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Bjornsson shoots in looking for a takedown but Demuss manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Bjornsson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Bjornsson fails with a takedown attempt.
Demuss looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Demuss uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bjornsson.
Demuss is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Demuss lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Demuss is looking to clinch.
Bjornsson shoots in looking for a takedown. Demuss tries to sprawl out of it but Bjornsson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Demuss manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eddie Bjornsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Demuss closes the distance and clinches.
Demuss lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Eddie Bjornsson has been cut.
Bjornsson misses with the head strike.
Demuss goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Bjornsson tightens his grip and picks Demuss up, before dumping him to the ground. Demuss manages to land in guard.
Bjornsson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Demuss is keeping the position for now.
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 controlling from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Demuss has his foot on Bjornsson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bjornsson works his way back into a safe position though.
Bjornsson showing good wrestling skills to control the 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.
Bjornsson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bjornsson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Bjornsson dives in and grabs Demuss's left leg, looking for a takedown. Demuss pushes down on Bjornsson's head and hops out.
Bjornsson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nice shot lands for Bjornsson.
Demuss thows a left - swing and a miss!
Demuss throws out a loose jab but Bjornsson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bjornsson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Demuss doesn't seem bothered though.
Bjornsson lands a jab to the head.
Eddie Bjornsson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Demuss throws a low kick but Bjornsson avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bjornsson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Demuss is fending him off so far but Bjornsson persists. Nope, Demuss circles away and we're back to standing.
A shot to the body from Bjornsson misses
enabling Demuss to counter with a crisp jab.
Demuss misses with an uppercut

and Bjornsson counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Demuss!
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!
Demuss is looking for a sweep.
Demuss wants to control but Bjornsson postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bjornsson remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Check out the look on Bjornsson's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bjornsson cracks Demuss with a big elbow.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jake Demuss will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Eddie Bjornsson's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Bjornsson misses with a looping left.
Demuss appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Bjornsson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Demuss sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Demuss leaves Bjornsson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Bjornsson tests Demuss's chin there with a solid looking shot.

It looks like Jake Demuss has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bjornsson rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Demuss counter with a right hand.
Demuss uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bjornsson.
A head kick misses from Demuss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Demuss connects with a body shot.
Demuss misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bjornsson.
Bjornsson throwing a counter right hand but Demuss manages to avoid it.
Bjornsson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Jake Demuss seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bjornsson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Bjornsson throws a looping overhand right but Demuss ducks down to avoid it.
Bjornsson checks a leg kick.
Bjornsson digs a good hook to Demuss's body.

Bjornsson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
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.
Bjornsson remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Bjornsson advances nicely into full mount.
Bjornsson controlling the position easily from mount.
Bjornsson lands a big elbow.
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!
BOOM! Bjornsson connects with a massive shot to the dome!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bjornsson sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Eddie Bjornsson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bjornsson continues to stall.
Demuss manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Demuss gets full guard.

Demuss throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Bjornsson lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Demuss looking to control.
Bjornsson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Bjornsson'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.
Demuss 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.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Demuss is looking for a triangle here but Bjornsson uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie Bjornsson dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Bjornsson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Bjornsson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Demuss sprawls well initially but Bjornsson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Bjornsson controlling the action here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Demuss tries to roll over but Bjornsson keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bjornsson content to control rather than advance.
Demuss wants to get back to full guard.
Bjornsson controlling the pace.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Demuss leaves Bjornsson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Nice straight punches there by Bjornsson. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Bjornsson.
Bjornsson misses with a right hand
and Demuss makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Bjornsson really felt that one!
Bjornsson misses with a left hand

and Demuss holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Demuss misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Demuss stops a takedown attempt from Bjornsson.
Nice body punch from Demuss - that landed with a thud.
Bjornsson lands a nice shot to the body.
Bjornsson working aggressively here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bjornsson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Demuss gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eddie Bjornsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Demuss with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bjornsson leaning his opponent against the cage.
Demuss gets underhooks to prevent Bjornsson's takedown attempt.
Demuss looking to throw knees to the head but Bjornsson is blocking nicely.
Bjornsson is looking to control Demuss's arms but Demuss gets an underhook and turns him. Now Bjornsson has his back to the cage.
Demuss blocks an uppercut.
Bjornsson trying to stall but Demuss improves his position.
Demuss effectively controlling the action here.
Demuss doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bjornsson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Demuss pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bjornsson throws a body shot but no joy.
A countering left hand to the body from Demuss misses.
Bjornsson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Demuss throws a sloppy head kick and Bjornsson moves out of range easily.
As Demuss tries to get set, Bjornsson tries to push him back and clinch up but Demuss manages to avoid the attempt.
The fighters circle momentarily. Bjornsson darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Bjornsson throws a jab but it's blocked by Demuss.
Demuss wants to counter with a clinch but Bjornsson pushes him away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bjornsson misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Demuss counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Demuss lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Jake Demuss just about did enough to take it.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bjornsson looks to throw the jab but Demuss is out of range.
Demuss flicks out a counter leg kick but Bjornsson steps away.

Demuss gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Bjornsson to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Bjornsson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Bjornsson advances position into side control!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Demuss is looking to reverse the position.
Bjornsson controls the position from side control.
Demuss takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Demuss is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Bjornsson is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Demuss is looking to get to half guard.
Bjornsson sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Demuss is wriggling around trying to escape.
Bjornsson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Further stalling from Bjornsson.
Demuss is trying desperately to improve position.
Bjornsson controlling the position easily from mount.
If it seems like I'm not saying a lot, it's just because Bjornsson is stinking the place up with his stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Demuss is wriggling around trying to escape.
Bjornsson controlling the pace for now.
Bjornsson scoring with strikes but Demuss is staying in there.
Bjornsson content just to control the position here.
Bjornsson has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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.
Demuss can't escape the position.
Bjornsson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Demuss tries to hold on but Bjornsson pushes him away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bjornsson controlling from the full mount.
Bjornsson landing strikes, looking to finish!
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.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Bjornsson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Bjornsson instigates a clinch.
Demuss tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Demuss misses with a punch on the inside.
Demuss landing knees to the head.
Bjornsson can't find room to land a body shot as Demuss controls the action.
Knees to the body from Demuss.
Demuss controlling the action here for a moment.
Bjornsson just leaning against Demuss, taking a breather.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Demuss taking a breather.
Demuss misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bjornsson has a couple of punches blocked by Demuss.
Bjornsson is trying to drag Demuss to the mat but Demuss just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Bjornsson can't get the takedown.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
A hook to the body from Bjornsson.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Bjornsson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Demuss can do to turn this around?
Demuss with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bjornsson being controlled against the cage.
Demuss blocks an uppercut.
Knees to the body from Demuss.
Demuss scores with a shoulder strike.
Demuss misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Demuss lands a right hand that snaps the head of Bjornsson backwards.
Bjornsson tries to score a body lock takedown but Demuss shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eddie Bjornsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Demuss with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Demuss lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Eddie Bjornsson's cut is getting worse.
A nice left hand lands by Demuss.
Bjornsson takes a knee to the side of the body.
Jake Demuss seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Demuss is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Bjornsson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Demuss misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bjornsson managing to block the knees to the body from Demuss.
Bjornsson gets through Demuss's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Bjornsson misses with a punch to the body.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Bjornsson tries for a takedown but Demuss manages to get underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Demuss landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Bjornsson blocks a body shot from Demuss.
Bjornsson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Bjornsson letting Demuss take a breather here.
Demuss lands a shoulder strike.
Demuss missing with knees to the body.
Demuss lands a knee to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Demuss.
Demuss tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bjornsson's elbow.
Demuss misses with a punch to the body.
Demuss blocks an uppercut.
Demuss goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Demuss lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Eddie Bjornsson's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bjornsson throws a punch but it's blocked by Demuss.
Demuss blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Demuss prevents a body shot from Bjornsson.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Bjornsson as Demuss tries to tie him up.
Bjornsson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nice body punch from Demuss.
Demuss lands a body shot.
Demuss lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Stalling in the clinch from Demuss.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Demuss taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Demuss content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Bjornsson lands with a short shot to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jake Demuss comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Demuss has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 48:47
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 47:48
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 47:47

The fight is ruled a draw!
Eddie Bjornsson retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!