PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ben Swanson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Michaels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ben Swanson is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Swanson
vs
Michaels

180 cm
20
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

183 cm
19
175 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ben Swanson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nick Michaels!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Michaels as Swanson shoots in.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

Michaels gets caught flat footed, as Swanson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Swanson looking to pass the guard.
Michaels looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Michaels working a defensive guard here.
Swanson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Michaels swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Swanson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Michaels's guard.
Swanson is pressing down on Michaels's thigh, looking to free his foot. Michaels is holding on for now.

Swanson is working for a kimura but Michaels is defending it quite comfortably.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michaels is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Swanson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Swanson's back!
Michaels tries to get the hooks in deep but Swanson pushed the leg off.
Swanson rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Still in half guard, Michaels seems content to control.
Michaels prevents Swanson from improving his position.
Michaels moves nicely into side control.
Swanson is looking for a sweep.

Michaels decides to stand back up.
Swanson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Swanson closes the distance and clinches up with Michaels, looking for a takedown. Swanson pushes Michaels against the cage but Michaels circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Swanson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Swanson is breathing heavily.
Nice takedown defense from Michaels. No joy for Swanson on that attempt.

Swanson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michaels trying to hold on to Swanson's head to control him but Swanson postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Swanson is working for a submission of some sort.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Swanson is looking for a kimura but Michaels is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Swanson to get the leverage.

Swanson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Michaels doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Swanson.
Michaels keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Michaels trying to control from the bottom.
Swanson is pressing down on Michaels's thigh, looking to free his foot. Michaels is holding on for now.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Swanson scores with a takedown into Michaels's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Swanson drives through with a takedown into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Swanson looking to pass the guard.

Swanson drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Michaels manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Swanson has Michaels in his guard.

Swanson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michaels slips nicely into half guard.
Swanson tries to get to full guard but Michaels has control of the leg.
Swanson wants to get back to full guard but Michaels has passed into side control.
Swanson is looking to get to half guard.
Michaels works his way to his opponent's back.
Swanson tries to escape the position.
Michaels biding his time, looking for the opening.
Swanson turns into Michaels and is now in his guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Swanson looking to pass the guard.
Michaels pulls Swanson in close to prevent any damage.
Swanson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Michaels swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Michaels is trying to keep Swanson in close.
Michaels keeping full guard, as Swanson tries to pass.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Swanson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Michaels circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michaels tries for a takedown but Swanson circles away easily

and Swanson counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Michaels!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Swanson has his foot on Michaels's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Michaels works his way back into a safe position though.
Michaels stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Swanson swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Swanson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Swanson wants to sweep here but Michaels controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Swanson dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Swanson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Michaels counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Michaels.
Michaels is looking to stand up but Swanson won't let him.

Swanson is looking for a triangle but Michaels pushes his legs off easily.

Swanson has his foot on Michaels's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Michaels works his way back into a safe position though.
Michaels won't allow Swanson to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Swanson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Michaels manages to get himself to full guard.
Swanson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Michaels's guard.
Ben Swanson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Swanson wants to work for an arm triangle but Michaels is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Swanson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Michaels defends it well.
Michaels trying to control but Swanson postures up.
Swanson works his foot free and advances to mount.

Swanson swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Michaels is now in Swanson's guard. A big mistake from Swanson there, giving up the dominant position!
Michaels trying to stand up but can't free himself from Swanson's guard.
Michaels won't allow Swanson to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Swanson working for a triangle but Michaels defends it easily.

Swanson is looking for a triangle but Michaels pushes his legs off easily.

Swanson working for a triangle but Michaels defends it easily.

Swanson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Michaels can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Michaels must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Swanson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Swanson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Michaels can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Michaels trying to control but Swanson is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Swanson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Michaels can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Swanson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Swanson working for a triangle but Michaels defends it easily.

Swanson looking for a triangle here. Michaels is fighting it but it looks tight! Swanson pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Michaels is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:48 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Ben Swanson!