PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jd Almanez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Klas Ondahl (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Almanez comes to the cage accompanied by Electric Feel by MGMT. This should be a great matchup!

Almanez
vs
Ondahl

190 cm
21
190 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

193 cm
23
197 lbs
3 - 2 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jd Almanez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 1, fighting out of New York, Klas Ondahl!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Jonathan Paton and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ondahl stalks Almanez and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Almanez's face. Almanez staggers backwards, shaken.
Almanez closes the distance and clinches up with Ondahl, looking for a takedown. Almanez pushes Ondahl against the cage but Ondahl circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Ondahl fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Almanez sprawls well initially but Ondahl persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Almanez is staying active underneath Ondahl, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Almanez kicks Ondahl off and gets back to his feet.
Ondahl scores with the left hand. Almanez knows he should have avoided that one.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ondahl takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Ondahl throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ondahl misses the jab.
Almanez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Almanez gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Ondahl wants to pass the guard but Almanez is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Almanez is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ondahl's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Ondahl wants to pass the guard but Almanez is keeping the position.
Ondahl must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Almanez is pulling down on Ondahl's head to control his posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ondahl looking to pass the guard.
Ondahl controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Ondahl throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Almanez is on top in guard.
Almanez tries to free his leg and advance position but Ondahl is retaining full guard.

Almanez has gone for a leg lock! Ondahl slips out almost immediately though and dives into Almanez's guard.
Ondahl is fighting to break Almanez's control of his arms but Almanez is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Ondahl throwing strikes from guard but Almanez blocks nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Almanez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ondahl is one step ahead there.
Almanez pulls Ondahl in to control the position.

Almanez pushes Ondahl off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Almanez shoots in but Ondahl avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jd Almanez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ondahl lunges at Almanez with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Almanez's hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Almanez shoots in and drives through. Ondahl sprawls well.
Almanez is breathing heavily.
Ondahl misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Ondahl rushes Almanez and presses him up against the cage.

Ondahl breaks the clinch.
Ondahl displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Almanez.
Almanez takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Nice shot lands for Ondahl.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ondahl fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ondahl looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Almanez shoots in for a double leg but Ondahl sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ondahl shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Almanez pinned against the cage. Almanez gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Ondahl feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Ondahl wants to pass the guard but Almanez is keeping the position.
Almanez manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ondahl manages to get himself to full guard.
Almanez wants to pass the guard but Ondahl is keeping the position.
Almanez pushes down on Ondahl's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Almanez seems to be looking for submissions.
Almanez looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Almanez is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ondahl has managed to free his arm - good work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Almanez looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Almanez seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Ondahl has recovered full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Klas Ondahl dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ondahl shoots in for a takedown but Almanez shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Almanez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ondahl but Ondahl pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Almanez closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ondahl circles away.
A swing and a miss from Ondahl.
Ondahl tries to score a power double leg takedown but Almanez sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ondahl somewhat.
Almanez fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jd Almanez. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Almanez tries to sprawl but Ondahl drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Almanez moves into full guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Almanez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ondahl trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ondahl wants to pass the guard but Almanez is keeping the position.

Almanez wriggles free and stands up.
Klas Ondahl seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ondahl thuds his right hand into Almanez's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Almanez closes the distance and clinches up with Ondahl, looking for a takedown. Almanez pushes Ondahl against the cage but Ondahl circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Almanez shoots for a double leg takedown but Ondahl sprawls well. He's pushed Almanez's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Almanez takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Ondahl swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ondahl fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Almanez shoots in for a double leg but Ondahl sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Almanez avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ondahl missing with a left hand there. Almanez was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ondahl misses with a wild combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ondahl misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ondahl leaves Almanez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Almanez. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Ondahl.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Some wild striking there from Ondahl.

Almanez bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Almanez tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Almanez looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Almanez tries to move to full mount but Ondahl actually manages to regain half guard.

Almanez is trying to work for a kimura but Ondahl is defending well.

Almanez wants to work for an arm triangle but Ondahl is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Ondahl trying to hold on to Almanez's head to control him but Almanez postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Almanez is working for a kimura but Ondahl is defending it quite comfortably.
Ondahl is trying to control but can't.

Almanez 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.

Almanez seems to be working for a kimura but Ondahl defends the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Klas Ondahl will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Almanez.

Almanez tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Almanez swings around for an armbar but Ondahl sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Almanez's guard.
Ondahl trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Almanez manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Almanez drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Ondahl manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Almanez has Ondahl in his guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Almanez uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Ondahl shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Ondahl showed some decent athleticism there.
Almanez has hold of Ondahl's hands but Ondahl slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Almanez kicks off Ondahl and gets to his feet.
Ondahl throws a low kick but Almanez avoids it.
Klas Ondahl seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Almanez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Ondahl has managed to clinch.
Almanez wants to break the clinch but can't.
Almanez doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Almanez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ondahl throws a sloppy head kick and Almanez moves out of range easily.

Ondahl gets a takedown into half guard.
Ondahl scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Almanez wants to get back to his feet.

Ondahl is working for a kimura but Almanez is defending it quite comfortably.
Ondahl lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Almanez is trying is best to control the position here.
Ondahl is thwarting Almanez's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Almanez wants to control the action here but instead Ondahl manages to pass to full mount!
Ondahl punishing his opponent with strikes.
Almanez is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Ondahl punishing his opponent with strikes.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Ondahl looking to control but Almanez is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Ondahl looking to finish Almanez with some ground and pound. This is bad for Almanez!
Almanez bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Almanez drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Ondahl dives on top into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ondahl stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Almanez swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Almanez pushes Ondahl off and gets back to his feet.
Ondahl lands with a cross.
Jd Almanez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Almanez shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ondahl manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Ondahl is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Almanez is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Ondahl is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Ondahl has escaped and now he's on top!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ondahl won't allow Almanez to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Klas Ondahl just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ondahl clinches with his opponent.
Ondahl wants to break the clinch but can't.
A nice right hand lands inside from Almanez.
Almanez leaning his opponent against the cage.

Almanez is trying to trip Ondahl. He has hold of a leg but Ondahl is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Almanez persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Almanez stops Ondahl from standing up.
Almanez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Almanez is working hard here to advance position.

Almanez drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Ondahl dives on top into guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Ondahl stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Almanez swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Almanez has Ondahl pulled in close to control his posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jd Almanez wasn't doing enough on the ground.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Almanez is defended easily by Ondahl.
Ondahl connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

Ondahl has closed the distance and engaged Almanez in a clinch.
Almanez is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ondahl gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ondahl wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Almanez is trying to break the clinch but Ondahl is controlling him.
Almanez tries to land a knee to the head but Ondahl blocks with his arms.
Almanez prevents Ondahl from breaking the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ondahl pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Almanez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ondahl.
Almanez takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Almanez closes the distance and clinches up with Ondahl, looking for a takedown. Almanez pushes Ondahl against the cage but Ondahl circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jd Almanez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ondahl paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Almanez takes one on the button.
Ondahl throws a right hand that Almanez ducks under and follows up with a left that Almanez also avoids with ease.

Almanez gets caught napping as Ondahl dives in and scores a takedown. Almanez manages to retain guard.
Almanez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ondahl's guard.
Almanez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ondahl is keeping the position for now.

Almanez is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Ondahl is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Ondahl has escaped and now he's on top!
Almanez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Almanez looking for a sweep. Not yet Almanez, not yet.
Ondahl pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Almanez is keeping the position for now.
Almanez tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Almanez is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Almanez is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ondahl is controlling him.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

We're going to have a standup here because Jd Almanez wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Ondahl scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Ondahl trying to control the action but Almanez is working from the bottom.
Check out the look on Ondahl's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ondahl misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Ondahl looking to control but instead Almanez has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Almanez is holding on to half guard well.
The fighters are battling for position here. Almanez manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Almanez wants to get back to his feet but Ondahl is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Almanez pushes Ondahl off and scrambles back to his feet.
Almanez fails to land the takedown.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Almanez slaps away a takedown attempt from Ondahl, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ondahl closes this distance looking for a takedown but Almanez circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Klas Ondahl will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Almanez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Almanez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ondahl is fending him off so far but Almanez persists. Nope, Ondahl circles away and we're back to standing.
Sloppy strikes from Ondahl. Those never looked like landing.

Almanez drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Almanez wants to pass the guard but Ondahl is keeping the position.

Almanez postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Ondahl is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Almanez, into his guard.
Ondahl cracks Almanez with a solid left hand.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Almanez working for a triangle but Ondahl defends it easily.
Almanez is trying to control the position but Ondahl postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ondahl throwing strikes from guard but Almanez blocks nicely.
Ondahl wants to control from the top but Almanez keeps moving.
Almanez 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.
Almanez has Ondahl pulled in close to control his posture.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Jd Almanez.
Ondahl stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ondahl wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jd Almanez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ondahl closes the distance and clinches up with Almanez, looking for a takedown. Ondahl pushes Almanez against the cage but Almanez circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ondahl postures up in Almanez's guard and throws a big left but Almanez blocks it.
Ondahl works over Almanez with some ground and pound from guard.
Ondahl stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Almanez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Almanez manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Almanez goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Ondahl turns into him and now he's in Almanez's guard.
Almanez keeping moving, preventing Ondahl from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Almanez looking to control.
Jd Almanez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ondahl scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Ondahl working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Almanez throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ondahl landing with the ground and pound.
Ondahl stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Almanez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Almanez has control of Ondahl's left arm, preventing Ondahl from doing any damage.
Ondahl landing with the ground and pound.
Klas Ondahl is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Almanez is adopting a defensive guard.
Ondahl looking to pass the guard.
Ondahl throwing strikes but missing.
Almanez is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Jd Almanez has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Ondahl thuds his right hand into Almanez's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ondahl cracks Almanez with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Almanez shoots in looking for a takedown. Ondahl tries to sprawl out of it but Almanez keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ondahl manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Almanez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ondahl is fending him off so far but Almanez persists. Nope, Ondahl circles away and we're back to standing.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Klas Ondahl.
I've got Ondahl winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 45:50
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 45:50
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Klas Ondahl!
Klas Ondahl is the new middleweight champion!