PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dean Lightning (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hilding Ljungstrom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ljungstrom is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Pitiful. 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.

Lightning
vs
Ljungstrom

170 cm
23
155 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

171 cm
19
160 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Dean Lightning!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Hilding Ljungstrom!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Damien Edna and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ljungstrom dives in and grabs Lightning's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lightning pushes down on Ljungstrom's head and hops out.
Lightning misses with a body kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ljungstrom is defended easily by Lightning.
Lightning defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ljungstrom.
Dean Lightning has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hilding Ljungstrom.
Ljungstrom shoots in and drives through. Lightning sprawls well.
Ljungstrom shoots in for a takedown but Lightning shows good takedown defense.
Ljungstrom looks for a takedown but Lightning sprawls well.

Lightning closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Ljungstrom did well to prevent Lightning getting side control.

Lightning looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Lightning thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Lightning is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ljungstrom has managed to free his arm - good work.
Ljungstrom wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ljungstrom has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Lightning is working away from the top position though.

Lightning seems to be looking for submissions.
Ljungstrom keeping hold of Lightning's head, controlling as best he can.
Lightning thows a huge punch but Ljungstrom dodges it nicely.
Ljungstrom gets back to full guard.
Ljungstrom can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Lightning controls the pace.
Lightning trying to control but Ljungstrom is working from the bottom.

That's two 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.
Ljungstrom wants to stand and escape but Lightning is having none of it.
Ljungstrom wants to sweep but no luck.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ljungstrom wants to stand up but Lightning is controlling him.
Ljungstrom looks gassed!
Ljungstrom is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ljungstrom manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Lightning bucks Ljungstrom off and manages to get back to his feet!

Lightning shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Lightning showed some decent athleticism there.
Lightning stops Ljungstrom from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ljungstrom is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ljungstrom tries to kick Lightning off but Lightning keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Lightning moves into full mount! Ljungstrom won't be happy about that!
Lightning wants to control the pace but Ljungstrom is squirming around nicely.

Lightning has hold of Ljungstrom's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Ljungstrom manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Ljungstrom is trying desperately to improve position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Lightning landing strikes, looking to finish!
Lightning controlling from mount.
Poor strikes thrown by Lightning there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Ljungstrom sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Lightning is trying to control the action in half guard but Ljungstrom is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Ljungstrom regains full guard. Nicely done.

Lightning drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lightning jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Ljungstrom is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ljungstrom looking for a sweep. Not yet Ljungstrom, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dean Lightning dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ljungstrom shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Lightning counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Lightning is controlling the pace.
Ljungstrom is trying to get back to full guard.
Ljungstrom is looking to get back to full guard here but Lightning has managed to pass to side control instead.
Ljungstrom is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Lightning with the ground and pound from mount.
Lightning scores with a couple of good head shots there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ljungstrom is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Ljungstrom is hanging on here. He's in a desperate position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lightning with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Lightning throws some wild stikes that Ljungstrom manages to avoid easily.
Ljungstrom is trying desperately to improve position.
Ljungstrom is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Ljungstrom tries to hold on but Lightning pushes him away.
Ljungstrom tries to get back to half guard but can't.

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.
Lightning avoids the attempt from Ljungstrom to control.
Lightning with shots to the head and body - Ljungstrom looks very uncomfortable down there.
Lightning dominating with strikes here.
Lightning prevents Ljungstrom from getting the reversal.
Lightning postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Ljungstrom looks a forlorn figure.
Ljungstrom sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Ljungstrom is staying active underneath Lightning, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Lightning missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ljungstrom is looking to control Lightning's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ljungstrom avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lightning seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ljungstrom does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ljungstrom tries to get to full guard but Lightning has control of the leg.

Lightning is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ljungstrom defends it well.
Lightning wants to pass to mount but Ljungstrom is defending the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Ljungstrom scores a takedown into full mount!
Ljungstrom breaks from Lightning's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Ljungstrom in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ljungstrom with good strikes from the mount here!
Lightning in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Ljungstrom with good strikes from the mount here!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Ljungstrom cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Ljungstrom lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Lightning hang on?
Ljungstrom lands a nice shot to the head.
Ljungstrom cracks Lightning with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Lightning is trying to escape the mount.
Ljungstrom is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Lightning can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Lightning is desperately trying to improve his position but Ljungstrom has a good base and remains in mount.
Lightning takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Lightning is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Ljungstrom working the ground and pound effectively.
Ljungstrom scoring with strikes but Lightning is staying in there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Hilding Ljungstrom will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Lightning will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Lightning stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Lightning wants it to stay on the feet.
Ljungstrom closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lightning circles away.

Lightning looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Dean Lightning overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Lightning scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Lightning pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ljungstrom is keeping the position for now.
Lightning trying to control but Ljungstrom is working from the bottom.
Lightning looking to pass the guard.
Ljungstrom looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lightning is one step ahead there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lightning trying to control but Ljungstrom is working from the bottom.
Lightning not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Lightning trying to control the position from guard on top but Ljungstrom is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Ljungstrom shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Ljungstrom missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Lightning wants to get back to full guard.
Lightning on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Lightning is looking for a sweep. Ljungstrom is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ljungstrom missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ljungstrom not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Lightning is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ljungstrom pulls his head out easily.
Ljungstrom is nestled in close to Lightning, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Ljungstrom scores with a spinning back kick!
Hilding Ljungstrom seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ljungstrom with a lazy takedown attempt

and Lightning decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ljungstrom's guard.
Dean Lightning has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hilding Ljungstrom.
Ljungstrom is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ljungstrom looking for a sweep. Not yet Ljungstrom, not yet.
Ljungstrom working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lightning.
Ljungstrom looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Lightning keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ljungstrom's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ljungstrom is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Lightning is in trouble now - Ljungstrom has advanced to mount!
A nice elbow there by Ljungstrom.
Ljungstrom throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Ljungstrom in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Lightning really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Lightning is in a horrible position here. Ljungstrom smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Ljungstrom postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Lightning looks a forlorn figure.
Ljungstrom punching from mount but Lightning doing a good job of avoiding damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Poor strikes thrown by Ljungstrom there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Poor strikes thrown by Ljungstrom there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Lightning manages to work a leg through to get back to half guard here. Good work there by Lightning, under a barage of strikes from Ljungstrom.
Ljungstrom not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Lightning looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Lightning trying to hold on to Ljungstrom's head to control him but Ljungstrom postures up.

Ljungstrom decides to stand and escape the position.
Lightning with a poor takedown

and Ljungstrom counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Ljungstrom lands a nice short elbow.
Ljungstrom is thwarting Lightning's attempts to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hilding Ljungstrom comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ljungstrom 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:29
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 28:29
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Hilding Ljungstrom!