PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rio Denardo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Swanson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Denardo's entrance music is Bodies - Drowning pool. A fine choice. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Denardo
vs
Swanson

187 cm
23
170 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

180 cm
20
170 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Combat Pro Design

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rio Denardo!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ben Swanson!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Denardo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Swanson but Swanson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nice sprawl there from Swanson as Denardo shoots in.
Denardo tries to clinch up.
Denardo shoots in for a double leg but Swanson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rio Denardo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Swanson gets a clinch.
Swanson stalling the fight.
Denardo looking to throw knees to the head but Swanson is blocking nicely.
Denardo with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Denardo tries for a takedown but Swanson manages to get underhooks.
Denardo looking to throw knees to the head but Swanson is blocking nicely.
Denardo drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Swanson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Denardo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Denardo fails to pull guard.
Denardo drops down looking for an ankle pick but Swanson pulls his leg out and moves away.
A punch combination from Swanson misses.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denardo is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Swanson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Denardo is trying to break the clinch but Swanson has him pressed against the cage.
Swanson holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Denardo is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Swanson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Denardo is breathing heavily.

Denardo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Denardo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Swanson misses with the combination.
Swanson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Denardo wants to clinch.

Swanson moves into the clinch successfully.
Denardo tries to land a knee to the head but Swanson blocks with his arms.
Denardo throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's two 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.

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

Swanson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Swanson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Denardo tries for a takedown. No joy.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Denardo.
Denardo goes for a takedown attempt but Swanson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Ben Swanson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Swanson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Swanson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Swanson has managed to clinch.
Denardo changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Swanson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Denardo wants to clinch.
Swanson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denardo closes the distance but Swanson moves to the side

and Swanson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Denardo's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Swanson seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Swanson wants to stand but Denardo is controlling his posture from full guard.

Swanson gets to his feet. Denardo looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Swanson misses.
Denardo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Denardo dodges the punch combination from Swanson.
Denardo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Swanson fails to land with a series of punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Swanson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Denardo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Swanson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Swanson tries to clinch up but Denardo circles away and keeps his distance.
Some wild striking there from Swanson.
Denardo tries to clinch but Swanson moves away

and Swanson counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Swanson tries to stand but can't do so whilst Denardo controls his leg.
Denardo wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Swanson content to control rather than advance.
Denardo manages to get to full guard.
Denardo manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's two 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.
Swanson regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Denardo is working for a kimura but Swanson is defending it quite comfortably.
Swanson wants to control but Denardo is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Denardo is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Swanson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Denardo.
Denardo trying to advance position but Swanson counters by regaining guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Swanson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Denardo lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Denardo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Denardo throws a head kick but Swanson moves out of range.
Denardo tries for a takedown but Swanson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Denardo wants to clinch but Swanson slips to the side

and Swanson counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Denardo!
Denardo is squirming around, avoiding Swanson's attempts to control the action.

Swanson is working for a guillotine from mount but Denardo frees his head quite easily.
Denardo tries to reverse the position but Swanson maintains control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

That's two 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.
Swanson controlling from mount.
Denardo is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denardo tries to control the position but Swanson now has his back.
Denardo can't escape the position.
Denardo turns into Swanson and is now in his guard.
Denardo stands and throws Swanson's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Swanson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

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.
Denardo is looking to take a break and control but Swanson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ben Swanson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Swanson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ben Swanson!
Ben Swanson is the new welterweight champion!