PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Hansen (ranked 1495 p4p, 1257 weight class) and Marco Bjurstrom (ranked 209 p4p, 183 weight class). Hansen comes to the cage accompanied by Black Sabbath - Iron Man. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hansen
vs
Bjurstrom

182 cm
31
183
18 - 15 - 0

160 cm
25
173
10 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

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 18 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Marcus Hansen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Marco Bjurstrom!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Yves DeLean and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bjurstrom throws a head kick that misses.
Hansen blocks a head kick by Bjurstrom.
Bjurstrom throws a leg kick
and Hansen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A low kick from Bjurstrom misses
and Hansen counters with a three punch combo that has Bjurstrom backing up. Bjurstrom nods at Hansen to acknowledge the strikes.
Bjurstrom throws a head kick that misses
and Hansen counters with a nice uppercut.
Bjurstrom pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bjurstrom throws a head kick that misses.
Hansen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bjurstrom moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Marco Bjurstrom seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hansen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hansen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bjurstrom.
Hansen scores with a three punch combo!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bjurstrom throws a leg kick
and Hansen counters with a nice uppercut.
Bjurstrom tries a head kick but it misses.
Marco Bjurstrom is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bjurstrom scores with a leg kick.
Bjurstrom takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Hansen throws a nice looking combination but Bjurstrom bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bjurstrom looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Bjurstrom throws a sloppy head kick and Hansen moves out of range easily.
Bjurstrom throws a sloppy head kick and Hansen moves out of range easily.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Bjurstrom lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Hansen has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Hansen and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Bjurstrom fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hansen manages to avoid it.
Hansen tries to clinch but Bjurstrom is having none of it.
Bjurstrom misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A counter left hand to the body from Hansen misses its target.
A head kick by Bjurstrom misses
and Hansen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nice jab there from Bjurstrom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Bjurstrom lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Hansen has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Hansen and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Bjurstrom tries a head kick but it misses.
Hansen is looking to counter punch.
Hansen misses with a wild body shot.
Hansen checks a leg kick.
Bjurstrom throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hansen moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Bjurstrom throws a nice looking combination but Hansen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hansen dives in and grabs Bjurstrom's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bjurstrom pushes down on Hansen's head and hops out.
Hansen ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Bjurstrom misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hansen misses with a looping right.
Hansen with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bjurstrom finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A head kick misses from Bjurstrom.
Bjurstrom connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Bjurstrom throws a head kick but Hansen moves out of range.
Hansen fails to land the takedown.
Bjurstrom jabs Hansen to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Hansen throws out a powerful jab.
Bjurstrom misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hansen is looking for a counter combo.
Bjurstrom throws a head kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hansen shoots in looking for a takedown but Bjurstrom manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hansen's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcus Hansen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hansen punishes Bjurstrom's body with a nice straight punch.
Bjurstrom connects with an inside leg kick.
Hansen goes for a double leg but Bjurstrom avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Bjurstrom continues to drive forward.

Bjurstrom manages to pull guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hansen sitting in guard here, content to control.
Hansen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hansen is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Hansen has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hansen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bjurstrom keeping moving, preventing Hansen from controlling successfully.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Marcus Hansen will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Bjurstrom gets caught flat footed, as Hansen shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Bjurstrom is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hansen is in close to Bjurstrom's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Hansen will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hansen wants to control from the top but Bjurstrom keeps moving.
Bjurstrom looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Bjurstrom has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hansen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hansen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bjurstrom is keeping the position for now.
Bjurstrom keeping moving, preventing Hansen from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hansen stands up over Bjurstrom, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hansen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hansen looking to pass the guard.
Hansen's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Bjurstrom working for a triangle but Hansen defends it easily.
Bjurstrom working a defensive guard here.
Hansen is in close to Bjurstrom's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Hansen trying to control but Bjurstrom is working from the bottom.
Bjurstrom pulls Hansen in close to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Bjurstrom looking for a guillotine here but Hansen defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hansen wants to control from the top but Bjurstrom keeps moving.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Hansen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bjurstrom is keeping the position for now.

Bjurstrom looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Hansen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hansen with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hansen keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bjurstrom's head.
Bjurstrom keeping moving, preventing Hansen from controlling successfully.
Hansen keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bjurstrom's head.
Hansen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Bjurstrom throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Hansen landing some decent shots from guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Bjurstrom has his foot on Hansen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hansen works his way back into a safe position though.

Bjurstrom has his foot on Hansen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hansen works his way back into a safe position though.
Hansen keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bjurstrom's head.
Bjurstrom keeping moving, preventing Hansen from controlling successfully.
Hansen wants to pass the guard but Bjurstrom is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hansen keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bjurstrom's head.
Hansen trying to control but Bjurstrom is working from the bottom.
Hansen is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Bjurstrom trying to keep a closed guard but Hansen is proving a slippery customer.
Hansen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Bjurstrom working a defensive guard here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Bjurstrom throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Hansen escapes and throws Bjurstrom's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Hansen in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Hansen dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Hansen blocks a head kick by Bjurstrom.
Bjurstrom misses with a low kick as Hansen jumps back.
Bjurstrom misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bjurstrom misses with an attempted mid kick.
Hansen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hansen is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A nice inside leg kick there by Bjurstrom. That's going to slow Hansen down.
Hansen doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Bjurstrom counters with a head kick. That will keep Hansen thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

It looks like Marcus Hansen has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bjurstrom is looking to chop away at Hansen's legs.
Hansen blocks a head kick by Bjurstrom.
Hansen is looking for a counter combo.
Bjurstrom works the jab nicely.
Bjurstrom throws out a leg kick but Hansen moves out of range and Bjurstrom only half commits.
It looked like Hansen wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hansen scores with a punch to the head.
Hansen blocks a head kick by Bjurstrom.
Hansen scores with a nice right hand.
Bjurstrom throws a lazy head kick
and Hansen counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Bjurstrom thinking.
Hansen fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bjurstrom avoids it really well and circles away.
Bjurstrom lands with a thumping leg kick.
Hansen misses with a series of wild punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hansen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Bjurstrom misses with a head kick.
It looked like Hansen was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Marco Bjurstrom seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A head kick misses from Bjurstrom.
Hansen getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hansen misses with a few strikes there.
Bjurstrom uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hansen.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bjurstrom throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hansen avoids the head kick by Bjurstrom.
Hansen keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bjurstrom throws a push kick but Hansen slaps the foot to one side.
An attempted straight right counter from Hansen misses the target.
Bjurstrom misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Some wild striking there from Hansen.

Hansen shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Bjurstrom napping and manages to drive through into side control!
You can see the frustration on Bjurstrom's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Hansen is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Marcus Hansen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bjurstrom is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bjurstrom on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Hansen performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Bjurstrom has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Hansen tries to pass the half guard into mount. Bjurstrom knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Hansen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Bjurstrom does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Hansen is looking for a kimura but Bjurstrom is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hansen to get the leverage.
Bjurstrom trying to control but Hansen postures up.

Bjurstrom looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Marco Bjurstrom has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bjurstrom tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Marcus Hansen.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hansen, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:28
Judge William Peck scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Marcus Hansen!
A very excited looking Marcus Hansen made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.