PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rich Van Clam (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Ericsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Van Clam comes to the cage accompanied by O. Rich Van Clam has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Van Clam
vs
Ericsson

174 cm
18
156 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

179 cm
19
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes ground

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 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Rich Van Clam!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Tom Ericsson!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Richard Clark and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ericsson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ericsson looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Van Clam works over Ericsson's head and body with a nice combination.

Van Clam scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Van Clam tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Van Clam wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ericsson keeps working.
Ericsson is trying to control Van Clam's posture but Van Clam avoids it.
Ericsson is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Van Clam is staying active.
Ericsson prevents Van Clam from moving into mount.
Ericsson is looking to regain half guard here but Van Clam keeps moving and retains side control.
Van Clam knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ericsson on the ground.
Ericsson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Van Clam lands an elbow.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Ericsson doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Van Clam counters with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Van Clam shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Ericsson's guard.
Van Clam trying to control but Ericsson is working from the bottom.
Van Clam lands a couple of digs.
Van Clam trying to control but Ericsson is working from the bottom.
Van Clam looking to sit in guard and control but Ericsson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Ericsson slips nicely into half guard.
Van Clam is looking for a sweep. Ericsson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Van Clam looks like he's trying to stand up.
Ericsson is tying to control. Van Clam wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Van Clam is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ericsson passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Van Clam!
Ericsson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Van Clam has given up his back. Will we see Ericsson going for some submissions?
Ericsson tries to get the hooks in deep but Van Clam pushed the leg off.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Van Clam is really stuck here.

Ericsson working for a choke but Van Clam is defending well.
Van Clam trying to control the hands but Ericsson won't let him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Will Ericsson go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

Ericsson patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Van Clam is looking to stand back up. He's having to work hard to escape but eventually he manages it.
Ericsson throws an off balance right hand
and Van Clam counters with a three punch combo that has Ericsson backing up. Ericsson nods at Van Clam to acknowledge the strikes.

Van Clam drives through with a takedown into guard.
Van Clam stopping the sweep attempt from Ericsson.

Van Clam avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Van Clam avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Ericsson trying to keep a closed guard but Van Clam is proving a slippery customer.
Van Clam has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ericsson keeping moving, preventing Van Clam from controlling successfully.
Van Clam stands and throws Ericsson's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Van Clam decides to stand back up. Van Clam steps back and let's Ericsson get back to his feet.
Ericsson misses with a takedown
and Van Clam counters with a big head kick but Ericsson shrugs it off.
Rich Van Clam has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Ericsson.
Ericsson shoots and misses
and Van Clam counters with an outside leg kick.
Jab by Van Clam.

Ericsson takes the fight into the clinch.

Ericsson has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Van Clam clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Van Clam tries to escape the position.

Ericsson working for the rear naked choke here. He's got one arm under but Van Clam is defending well. A couple of punches soften him up though and Ericsson has tightened the hold! This one could be all over! It is! Van Clam taps out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Tom Ericsson!