PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mario Eibegger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benjamin Goldstein (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Eibegger
vs
Goldstein

181 cm
22
179 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
176 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mario Eibegger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Benjamin Goldstein!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Tarja Halkonen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Eibegger will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Eibegger ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Goldstein moves away.
Goldstein swings for the body but Eibegger moves out of range.
Eibegger misses with a jab, cross combination.
Eibegger chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Goldstein takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Eibegger lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Eibegger.

It looks like Benjamin Goldstein has been cut.
Eibegger takes a swing at Goldstein's ribcage but misses.
Goldstein throws a hook but Eibegger avoids it easily.
Eibegger lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Goldstein circles away quickly and effectively.
Eibegger scores with a shot to the body.
Goldstein uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Eibegger.
Goldstein gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Nice shot by Eibegger.
Goldstein throws a series of punches but Eibegger avoids them all with ease.
Goldstein throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goldstein throws a jab but it's blocked by Eibegger.
Goldstein thows a body shot but no joy.
Eibegger looks to land a combination but Goldstein avoids it well.
Eibegger is looking to wear down Goldstein with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Goldstein on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Goldstein is defended easily by Eibegger.
Goldstein swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Eibegger throws a hook to the side of Goldstein's head but Goldstein sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Eibegger keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Goldstein.
Goldstein misses with a hook. Eibegger ducked under it nicely.
Goldstein throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Eibegger counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Goldstein shoots in for a takedown but Eibegger shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Goldstein misses with a combination
and Eibegger counters with a stiff right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eibegger scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Sloppy strikes from Eibegger. Those never looked like landing.
Eibegger connects with a crisp jab.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Eibegger avoids the body shot from Goldstein.
Eibegger lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Eibegger throws a nice inside leg kick.
Eibegger is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Some wild striking there from Goldstein.
Eibegger throws a shot to the body.
Goldstein looks winded!
Eibegger is looking to land body kicks.
Eibegger throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Goldstein on the side of the head.
Good standup being displayed there by Eibegger as he connects with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Eibegger, as that shot connected.
Goldstein blocks a jab.
Eibegger uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Goldstein has time to react.
Eibegger lands a jab.
Eibegger jabs at Goldstein's body.
Goldstein throws a lazy uppercut
and Eibegger counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Goldstein misses with a straight left.
Eibegger displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Eibegger listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Eibegger throws a body punch but Goldstein moves out of range.
Eibegger slaps away a takedown attempt from Goldstein, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Mario Eibegger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benjamin Goldstein.
Goldstein falls off balance throwing a combination
and Eibegger connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goldstein throws a looping overhand right but Eibegger ducks down to avoid it.
Mario Eibegger is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Eibegger lands with a shot to the body.
A jab from Eibegger finds it's way through Goldstein's defenses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Eibegger sizes up Goldstein with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Eibegger connects with a jab.
Goldstein takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Goldstein is trying desperately to land a takedown but Eibegger is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Goldstein.
Eibegger changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Goldstein swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Eibegger lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Goldstein throws a jab when Eibegger was well out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Eibegger throws a head kick but Goldstein moves out of range.
Goldstein avoids a punch combination nicely.
A decent looking cross lands there for Goldstein.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Eibegger dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Benjamin Goldstein's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Eibegger misses with the combination.
Goldstein loads up on a big right hand but Eibegger slips the punch.
Goldstein misses with a looping left.
Mario Eibegger is winning the standup battle so far.
Goldstein lands with a cross.
Goldstein misses with a hook.
Goldstein takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Nice uppercut there from Eibegger.
Goldstein throws a shot from downtown. Eibegger moves away and avoids it.
Goldstein slips a jab from Eibegger.
Goldstein has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Goldstein takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Goldstein displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Eibegger throws out the jab.
Eibegger staying out of range there.
Eibegger throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Eibegger bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Goldstein's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Goldstein fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Eibegger sprawls well initially but Goldstein persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Eibegger wants to get back to full guard.
Eibegger is trying is best to control the position here.
Goldstein not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Eibegger is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Goldstein scores with a couple of nice shots.
Eibegger avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Goldstein.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Goldstein with the ground and pound but Eibegger uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Eibegger 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.
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.
Goldstein stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Eibegger swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Eibegger has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Eibegger keeping moving, preventing Goldstein from controlling successfully.
Eibegger wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A slow jab from Goldstein misses its intended target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goldstein misses with a wild body shot.
Goldstein moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Eibegger misses with a hook.
Eibegger is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A looping hook to the body misses from Eibegger. Goldstein does a little dance to reset his feet.
Goldstein misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Eibegger.
Goldstein thows a left - swing and a miss!
Eibegger blocks a jab.
Goldstein blocks a jab.
The crowd cheers as Eibegger lands an impressive looking overhand right. Goldstein doesn't seem phased though.
Eibegger throws a sloppy head kick and Goldstein moves out of range easily.
Goldstein throws a lazy uppercut
and Eibegger counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Goldstein rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Eibegger counters with a left to the body.
Goldstein ducks under a wild hook from Eibegger.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goldstein misses with an uppercut
and Goldstein takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Eibegger pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
No joy there for Eibegger, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Eibegger avoids the body shot from Goldstein.
Goldstein lands a jab to the nose.
A jab from Goldstein misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Eibegger swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Goldstein.
Goldstein is looking to take a break and control but Eibegger is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Goldstein throwing strikes but Eibegger manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Benjamin Goldstein will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Benjamin Goldstein's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Eibegger throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Goldstein.
Eibegger uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Eibegger lands a slapping body shot.
Eibegger scores with a jab to the body.
Goldstein lands a glancing blow to the side of Eibegger's head.

Goldstein shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Eibegger working a defensive guard here.
Eibegger bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Goldstein's guard.
Eibegger controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Goldstein can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goldstein tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Goldstein lands a decent shot there.
Eibegger trying to control the position from guard on top but Goldstein is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Goldstein is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Goldstein missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Eibegger keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Goldstein sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Eibegger defending well though.
Goldstein prevents Eibegger from improving his position.
Eibegger is working hard here to advance position.
Goldstein not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Goldstein wants to take a breather but Eibegger is having none of it.
Goldstein not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Goldstein is trying to work for a kimura but Eibegger is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goldstein is stalling here. Eibegger is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Goldstein seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Eibegger has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Eibegger fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Eibegger sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Goldstein is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Eibegger looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Goldstein is avoiding damage well.
Eibegger throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Benjamin Goldstein has got the better of the ground game so far.
Goldstein tries to improve position but can't.
Goldstein wants to control but Eibegger postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goldstein manages to work his way to half guard, despite Eibegger's best efforts.
Eibegger slows the pace down in half guard.
Goldstein wants to improve his position but Eibegger is controlling well.
Eibegger throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Eibegger missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Goldstein is trying to control but can't.
Goldstein is staying active underneath Eibegger, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Benjamin Goldstein.
I think Goldstein has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

The fight is ruled a draw!