PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bruce Darnell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Magne Midgard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Midgard is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Crazy Train. 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.

Darnell
vs
Midgard

188 cm
24
210 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

186 cm
30
217 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
World class MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Bruce Darnell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Magne Midgard!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Vladimir Khabensky and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Midgard dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Darnell. That did some damage!
Darnell on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Midgard. Midgard obviously looking to wear him down.
A shot to the body from Midgard misses
letting Darnell counter with a right hand.
Darnell throws a lazy right hand but Midgard sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A bone on bone clash there as Darnell blocks the leg kick.
Midgard ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Darnell moves away.
Midgard misses with a straight right.
Darnell blocks a head kick by Midgard.

Darnell scores a takedown into full mount!
Darnell trying to control but Midgard is having none of it.
Midgard tries to reverse the position but Darnell maintains control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darnell thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Midgard is wriggling around trying to escape.
Midgard tries to hold on but Darnell postures up.

Darnell swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Midgard is now in Darnell's guard. A big mistake from Darnell there, giving up the dominant position!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Darnell working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Midgard doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Midgard manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Darnell manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Midgard manages to get himself to full guard.
Darnell wants to control from the top but Midgard keeps moving.
Midgard is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darnell pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Midgard is keeping the position for now.
Darnell trying to control but Midgard is working from the bottom.
Midgard being controlled here, momentarily.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Darnell trying to control but Midgard is working from the bottom.

That's four 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.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Darnell looks to throw the jab but Midgard is out of range.
Midgard throws a right hand that misses
and Darnell counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Darnell swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Midgard misses with a body kick.
Midgard swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Darnell counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Midgard is looking to improve his position.
Darnell controlling the action here.
Midgard is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce Darnell dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Midgard throws a hook to the side of Darnell's head but Darnell sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Darnell throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice cross by Darnell.
The fight stays on the outside here - Midgard looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A head kick misses from Midgard.
Midgard scores with a jab.

It looks like Bruce Darnell has been cut.
Midgard throws a head kick that misses
and Darnell counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Darnell jabs at Midgard's body.
Darnell fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Darnell works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Midgard uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Darnell.
Darnell scores with a jab to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Midgard slips a jab from Darnell.
Darnell's corner calls for a 1-2. Darnell obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Midgard slips a jab from Darnell.
Midgard wants to clinch but Darnell slips to the side

and Darnell counters with a single leg into guard. Midgard didn't expect that.
Midgard keeping moving, preventing Darnell from controlling successfully.
Darnell looking to pass the guard.
Darnell is fighting to break Midgard's control of his arms but Midgard is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Darnell is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darnell wants to control from the top but Midgard keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Bruce Darnell.

Darnell shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Midgard's guard.
Darnell trying to control but Midgard is working from the bottom.
Darnell preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darnell slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Darnell prevents Midgard from escaping the position.
Midgard isn't going anywhere.
Midgard is trying to control Darnell's posture but Darnell avoids it.

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.
Midgard is looking to regain half guard here but Darnell keeps moving and retains side control.
Midgard avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Darnell.
Darnell controls the position from side control.
Darnell is looking to take a break and control but Midgard is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce Darnell dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Bruce Darnell's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Darnell.
Darnell takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Darnell takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Darnell blocks a head kick by Midgard.
Darnell connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Midgard throws a right and a left that both miss.
Darnell uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Midgard has time to react.
Darnell throws a shot from downtown. Midgard moves away and avoids it.
Midgard misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Darnell.
Midgard throws a half hearted mid kick.

Darnell bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Darnell looks up at the clock and then as Midgard takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Darnell smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darnell is looking to take a break and control but Midgard is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Midgard seems a little lost for a moment, as Darnell dominates the positioning.
Darnell tries to score with some ground and pound. Midgard controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Darnell trying to control the position but Midgard is working away.
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.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Darnell controls the position from side control.
Darnell wants to lay and pray for a moment but Midgard keeps working.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Bruce Darnell just wasn't active enough.
Midgard throws a right hand that Darnell ducks under and follows up with a left that Darnell also avoids with ease.
Midgard throws a left and a right that both miss
and Midgard takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Midgard throws a lazy head kick
and Darnell counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Midgard thinking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Midgard misses with a lunging right hand
and Darnell connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Midgard throws a sloppy head kick
and Darnell counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Magne Midgard is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Midgard misses with a body punch
and Darnell counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Midgard misses with a left hand
and Darnell counters with a left to the body.
Midgard takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Midgard swings widly with a right hand
and Darnell counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Darnell connects with a body shot.
Midgard misses with an uppercut
and Darnell counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Darnell fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Midgard looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Donk. Darnell catches Midgard right on the button with a cross.
Midgard on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Darnell connects with a right hand. Midgard shakes it off.
Darnell with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Darnell scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darnell stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Darnell tests Midgard's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Darnell throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Midgard takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Darnell scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Darnell working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Bruce Darnell is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Darnell just content to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bruce Darnell showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Darnell has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bruce Darnell!