PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ram Man Rijal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Swanson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Swanson has chosen The Devil You Know as his entrance music. John Swanson is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Man Rijal
vs
Swanson

193 cm
22
205 lbs
2 - 7 - 0

184 cm
20
214 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Great elbows
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ram Man Rijal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, John Swanson!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Swanson circles away from the clinch attempt.

Swanson instigates a clinch.

Rijal has clasped his hands together around Swanson's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Rijal prevents Swanson from escaping the position.
Swanson told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Swanson is not content to let Rijal control the position.

Rijal is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Swanson has escaped the position, nice work there.
Swanson is trying to improve his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rijal wants to take a breather but Swanson manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Rijal.
Rijal wants to pass the guard but Swanson is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rijal trying to control but Swanson is working from the bottom.

Swanson pushes Rijal off and scrambles back to his feet.
Swanson avoids the body shot from Rijal.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rijal.

Swanson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Rijal sprawls well initially but Swanson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Rijal has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Swanson is working away from the top position though.
Swanson trying to mount his opponent but Rijal defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Swanson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Swanson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Swanson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Swanson in particular looking to stall.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Rijal looking for submissions off his back.
Swanson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Rijal is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Swanson scores with a couple of nice shots.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Swanson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Swanson lands a nice short elbow.
Rijal is looking for a sweep. Swanson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rijal trying to hold on to Swanson's head to control him but Swanson postures up.
Rijal is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Swanson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Rijal is trying to control but can't.
Swanson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Rijal tries to roll over but Swanson keeps him under control.
Swanson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Rijal wants to control but Swanson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Swanson trying to control the action but Rijal is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Swanson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Rijal moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Swanson scoring with some ground and pound.
Rijal 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.
Swanson working some strikes from top position.
Rijal has momentary wrist control but Swanson slips an elbow through the middle.

Rijal looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Swanson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Rijal looking to control.
Swanson with a nice head shot there.

Swanson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Swanson is working Rijal over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Swanson clobbers Rijal with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Swanson.
Swanson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Swanson lands a few punches from side control.
Rijal can't do much from the bottom here.
Swanson trying to control the position but Rijal is working away.
Swanson scoring with punches and elbows.
Swanson scoring with punches and elbows.
Rijal taking punishment in the form of punches.
Rijal can't do much from the bottom here.
Rijal manages to work his way to half guard, despite Swanson's best efforts.
Swanson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Swanson lands a nice short elbow.

Rijal is rocked!
Swanson lands a big elbow from half guard. That looks like it's hurt Rijal quite badly. Rijal pulls Swanson in close trying to recover. Swanson postures up and lands two really hard shots that put Rijal on queer street! The ref takes a look and decides to call an end to the fight! Possibly an early stoppage but Rijal doesn't seem to be complaining too much.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:26 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). John Swanson!
In his post fight interview, John Swanson started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.