PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Sigurd Fafnisbani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joey Cardinal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fafnisbani comes to the cage accompanied by What Frequencies Do to People by Tieum and Ophidian. Cardinal is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: In Mourning - In The Failing Hour. 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.

Fafnisbani
vs
Cardinal

176 cm
24
154 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

175 cm
25
155 lbs
8 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sigurd Fafnisbani!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Joey Cardinal!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Radbod Blank and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cardinal will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Cardinal scores a takedown into full mount!

Cardinal moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Fafnisbani has worked his arm free - good work by Fafnisbani!
Fafnisbani tries to buck Cardinal off but Cardinal is having none of it.
Cardinal working away.
Cardinal creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Fafnisbani sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Fafnisbani is looking for a sweep.
Cardinal in side control lands a decent elbow.
Cardinal throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Cardinal cracks Fafnisbani with a big elbow.
Cardinal has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Cardinal is trying to ground and pound but Fafnisbani uses the momentary lack of control by Cardinal to regain half guard.
Fafnisbani wants to control but Cardinal is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cardinal sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Fafnisbani defending well though.

Fafnisbani kicks Cardinal off and gets back to his feet.
Fafnisbani throws a head kick that half lands.
Cardinal throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Nice sprawl there from Fafnisbani as Cardinal shoots in.
Fafnisbani scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Cardinal doesn't seem bothered though.
Cardinal looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Sigurd Fafnisbani has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joey Cardinal.
Cardinal looks gassed!

Fafnisbani gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Cardinal is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Fafnisbani gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Cardinal wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Fafnisbani lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Come on Fafnisbani - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Cardinal wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Fafnisbani working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Cardinal is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Fafnisbani creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Cardinal being controlled against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fafnisbani with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Fafnisbani holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Cardinal lands a knee to the head.
Cardinal drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fafnisbani is stalling here.
Fafnisbani makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Cardinal misses with a knee strike.
A short right from Fafnisbani.
Fafnisbani manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Cardinal wants a takedown.
Fafnisbani is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Cardinal is keeping busy.
Fafnisbani makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Fafnisbani with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Fafnisbani working some nice short punches in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cardinal.
Cardinal looking for a takedown.
A nice left hand lands by Fafnisbani.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fafnisbani content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Cardinal tries to score a body lock takedown but Fafnisbani shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Fafnisbani softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Fafnisbani lands an uppercut.
A short left from Fafnisbani.
Cardinal changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Fafnisbani fights it off and pushes away nicely.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Fafnisbani dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Cardinal is working for takedown but Fafnisbani is calmly controlling the position for now.
Fafnisbani lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Fafnisbani controlling the action here for a moment.
Cardinal tries to break free but Fafnisbani pushes him back against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Fafnisbani.
Fafnisbani taking a breather.
Fafnisbani lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Cardinal.
Fafnisbani scores with a shot to the side of Cardinal's head.
Fafnisbani scores with a shot to the side of Cardinal's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Cardinal as Fafnisbani tries to tie him up.
Fafnisbani manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Sigurd Fafnisbani.
Fafnisbani lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Fafnisbani wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Fafnisbani lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Fafnisbani moves into the clinch.
Cardinal looking for a takedown.
Cardinal is trying to break the clinch but Fafnisbani is controlling him.
Fafnisbani lands a body shot.
Cardinal has a couple of punches blocked by Fafnisbani.
Fafnisbani stalling against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A nice left hand lands by Fafnisbani.
Cardinal changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Fafnisbani fights it off and pushes away nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fafnisbani lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Fafnisbani gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Fafnisbani is struggling to control the position.
Fafnisbani trying to control the position but instead, Cardinal has worked for underhooks and has pushed Fafnisbani into the cage.
Fafnisbani makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Fafnisbani unloads a knee to the mid-section. Cardinal lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Cardinal breaks from the clinch.

Cardinal shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Fafnisbani napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fafnisbani gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Fafnisbani wants to control but Cardinal is keeping busy.
Fafnisbani is trying to stand back up but Cardinal is controlling him
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fafnisbani trying to control from the bottom.
Fafnisbani blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cardinal.
Cardinal not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fafnisbani is trying to get back to full guard.
Cardinal looks to land a strike but Fafnisbani avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Cardinal throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Fafnisbani turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Cardinal fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Fafnisbani is out of range.
Cardinal shoots in for a takedown but Fafnisbani shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Cardinal looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Fafnisbani feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Cardinal's calf.
Cardinal drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Fafnisbani with a jab.
Cardinal tries for a takedown but Fafnisbani sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sigurd Fafnisbani has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joey Cardinal.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Fafnisbani lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cardinal backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fafnisbani lands a shot to the body.
Fafnisbani lands with a short shot to the head.
Fafnisbani lands an elbow inside that Cardinal shrugs off.
Fafnisbani stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Cardinal is working for takedown but Fafnisbani is calmly controlling the position for now.
A short uppercut from Fafnisbani.
A nice right hand lands inside from Fafnisbani.
Fafnisbani misses with a knee strike.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Fafnisbani.
Cardinal drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Fafnisbani gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Fafnisbani leaning against his opponent.
Fafnisbani scores with a knee to the head.
Fafnisbani trying to stall but Cardinal improves his position.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Sigurd Fafnisbani.
Cardinal throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Fafnisbani throws a head kick that Cardinal semi-blocks.
Cardinal shoots for a takedown but Fafnisbani saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Fafnisbani looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cardinal shoots in but no luck this time.

Fafnisbani moves into the clinch.
Fafnisbani is pressed up against the cage. Cardinal has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Fafnisbani down to the mat. Fafnisbani avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Fafnisbani closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Fafnisbani - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Cardinal looking for a takedown.
Fafnisbani lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Fafnisbani lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Fafnisbani lands a hook to the side of the head.
Cardinal drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fafnisbani lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Fafnisbani digs a right hand into Cardinal's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Cardinal's gas tank.
Cardinal wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A hook to the body from Fafnisbani.
Fafnisbani is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Fafnisbani lands a knee to the body.
Fafnisbani scores with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fafnisbani stalling against the cage.
Cardinal goes for a takedown in the clinch but Fafnisbani prevents it.
Cardinal wants a takedown.
Fafnisbani is struggling to control the position.
Fafnisbani works on Cardinal's body with a couple of short punches.
Fafnisbani lands a left hand.
Fafnisbani lands with a right to the head.
Fafnisbani slows down the pace here.
Sigurd Fafnisbani has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Still in the clinch, Fafnisbani scores with a nice short uppercut.
Fafnisbani gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Cardinal.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fafnisbani stalling in the clinch but Cardinal improves position.
Fafnisbani lands a shoulder strike.
Cardinal has had enough of the clinch but Fafnisbani keeps him there for the moment.
Cardinal looking for a takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sigurd Fafnisbani dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Fafnisbani ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Fafnisbani misses the shot to the body.

Fafnisbani rushes Cardinal and presses him up against the cage.
Fafnisbani managing to block the knees to the body from Cardinal.
Fafnisbani has Cardinal pressed against the cage.
Fafnisbani lands a knee to the body.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Fafnisbani for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Cardinal is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Fafnisbani pulls him back up using the underhooks.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Fafnisbani takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Fafnisbani gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Sigurd Fafnisbani.
Fafnisbani lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Fafnisbani stuffs the takedown attempt from Cardinal. Cardinal gets slowly back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fafnisbani lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Fafnisbani.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fafnisbani scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Sigurd Fafnisbani is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fafnisbani lands a nice looking body shot.
Horrible takedown by Cardinal or perhaps it was just good defense by Fafnisbani which made him look bad.
Sigurd Fafnisbani has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joey Cardinal.
Cardinal takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Fafnisbani closes the distance and clinches.
A nice right hand lands inside from Fafnisbani.
Fafnisbani has Cardinal pushed against the cage.
Fafnisbani misses with a short punch on the inside.
Cardinal is trying to break free.
Fafnisbani is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Cardinal wants to break free but Fafnisbani has control.
Fafnisbani will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Cardinal up against the cage.
Cardinal is trying to drag Fafnisbani to the mat but Fafnisbani just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cardinal can't get the takedown.
Cardinal is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Fafnisbani gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Cardinal letting Fafnisbani take a breather here.
Fafnisbani scores with a nice hook to the head.
Fafnisbani's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Sigurd Fafnisbani.
Fafnisbani fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cardinal blocks a jab.
Sigurd Fafnisbani is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fafnisbani misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cardinal slips a straight right by Fafnisbani.
Cardinal shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fafnisbani is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cardinal can do to turn this around?
Cardinal throws a chopping leg kick but Fafnisbani manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Fafnisbani misses with a straight right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fafnisbani lands a nice shot to the body.

Fafnisbani closes the distance and clinches.
Fafnisbani is pressed up against the cage. Cardinal has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Fafnisbani down to the mat. Fafnisbani avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Jab, jab by Fafnisbani - just one landing.
Fafnisbani feints and then cracks Cardinal's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cardinal down.
Fafnisbani takes a swing at Cardinal's ribcage but misses.

Cardinal shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Cardinal showed some decent athleticism there.
Cardinal sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Fafnisbani defending well though.
Cardinal prevents Fafnisbani from improving his position.
Cardinal wants to free his trapped foot but Fafnisbani is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cardinal throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Cardinal looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Fafnisbani with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Cardinal stops Fafnisbani from getting back to his feet.

Cardinal is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Fafnisbani throws a shot to the body.
Some wild striking there from Fafnisbani.
Cardinal swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Fafnisbani counters with a three punch combo that has Cardinal backing up. Cardinal nods at Fafnisbani to acknowledge the strikes.
Cardinal misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Good leg kick by Fafnisbani there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Cardinal fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Joey Cardinal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fafnisbani connects with the punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sigurd Fafnisbani showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Fafnisbani, 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:27
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sigurd Fafnisbani!