PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yajson Rram (ranked 1816 p4p, 2185 weight class) and Thor Fresh (ranked 199 p4p, 228 weight class). Rram's entrance music is Overhaul. A fine choice. Thor Fresh will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Rram
vs
Fresh

164 cm
26
146
16 - 9 - 0

180 cm
29
156
8 - 14 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Yajson Rram!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Thor Fresh!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Radbod Blank and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rram throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Fresh stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Rram lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Fresh fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Fresh.

Fresh tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Fresh is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Rram is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Fresh tries to score with some ground and pound. Rram controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

Fresh is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Rram knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Fresh thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Rram pushes Fresh away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Fresh gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fresh wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rram, who protects the arm well.

Fresh goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Rram has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Fresh but great work by Rram.
Rram gets to mount! Fresh was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.

Rram stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.

Fresh has Rram up against the cage in a clinch.
Rram has a couple of punches blocked by Fresh.
Rram wants to break the clinch but can't.
Fresh manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Fresh breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fresh forces Rram back against the cage and clinches.
Fresh wants to stall.
Fresh lands with a short shot to the head.
Rram works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A right hand to the body from Rram.
Rram can't find room to land a body shot as Fresh controls the action.
Rram doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Fresh lands a knee to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rram lands a hook that snaps the head of Fresh backwards.

Rram escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Fresh tries to clinch there but Rram circles away.

Fresh gets tackled into the cage by Rram. Rram maintains the clinch.
Rram is trying to push Fresh away but Fresh has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Fresh has Rram pressed against the cage, preventing Rram from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Fresh breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Rram clinches up with Fresh and pushes him back against the cage.
Fresh drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for Fresh to work.

Fresh manages to break the clinch.
Good exchange - Rram coming out on top.
Rram rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Fresh moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A punch lands to the side of Fresh 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Fresh throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rram's waist but Rram gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Fresh off to one side.
Yajson Rram has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thor Fresh.

Fresh moves into range and clinches up with Rram.

Fresh successfully pulls guard.
Rram has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Rram stopping the sweep attempt from Fresh.
Rram looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fresh can't keep his opponent in guard - Rram advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Fresh is trying to control but can't.
Rram seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Fresh is looking for a sweep. Rram is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fresh manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Rram keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fresh taking a breather.
Rram is trying to force a seperation but Fresh has the dominant position.
Rram lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Fresh.
Fresh wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rram tries to break the clinch but Fresh is controlling the position.
Rram misses with some punches.
Fresh tries to stall but Rram uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Fresh decides to pull guard.

Fresh escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rram gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fresh 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.
Rram trying to control but Fresh is working from the bottom.
Fresh trying to keep a closed guard but Rram is proving a slippery customer.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Yajson Rram will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Good work by Fresh as he checks the leg kick.
Fresh is looking for the big counter here.
Rram connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Rram misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fresh.
Rram misses with a wild body shot.
Fresh steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Rram.
Fresh keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rram sets himself, and Fresh steps forward looking for the clinch! Rram avoids it this time.
Rram scores with a crisp jab that stopped Fresh in his tracks.
Fresh fails in his attempt to clinch.
Yajson Rram is winning the standup battle so far.
Fresh tries to clinch up.
Rram is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Rram is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Fresh can do to turn this around?
Fresh will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Fresh closes the distance looking to clinch
and Rram counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rram lands with an overhand left.
Rram scores with the left hand. Fresh knows he should have avoided that one.
Rram defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Fresh.
Fresh throws a series of punches but Rram moves out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fresh swats away the attempt to clinch by Rram.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rram thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rram changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Fresh clinches up with Rram and pushes him back against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Fresh throws an elbow but misses.
Fresh tries to land a knee to the head but Rram blocks with his arms.
Rram misses with the head strike.
Fresh manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Fresh misses with a punch on the inside.

Fresh breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rram throws a nice outside leg kick.
Fresh scores with a three punch combo!
Fresh is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rram sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Yajson Rram has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thor Fresh.
Rram scores with a three punch combo!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Good leg kick by Rram.
Rram misses with a double jab
and Fresh counters with a low kick, right behind Rram 's knee.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fresh closes the distance and clinches up with Rram, looking for a takedown. Fresh pushes Rram against the cage but Rram circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Fresh shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rram counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fresh is breathing heavily.
Fresh on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rram. Rram obviously looking to wear him down.
Fresh is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Rram.
Fresh uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rram.
Fresh wants to clinch.
Fresh throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fresh fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rram lands with a shot to the body.
Fresh tries to clinch there but Rram circles away.

Fresh shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Rram wants to sweep here but Fresh controlling him for the moment.
My spies in Finnish Elite Sport and Fitness Center inform me that Fresh has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Fresh won't allow Rram to get back to his feet.
Rram controlling Fresh's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fresh postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Rram is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Fresh, into his guard.

Fresh is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rram is aware though and is defending well.
Rram controls from within his opponent's guard.
Rram continues to stall.
Rram trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

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.
Rram sitting in guard here, content to control.
Thor Fresh has got the better of the ground game so far.

Fresh is looking for a triangle but Rram pushes his legs off easily.
Rram is fighting to break Fresh's control of his arms but Fresh is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Fresh uses the cage to get back to his feet.
An inside leg kick lands from Rram.
Fresh shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rram pinned against the cage. Rram gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Rram scoring well with a low kick there.
Rram cracks Fresh with a right hand to the side of the head.
The fight stays on the outside here - Fresh looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yajson Rram dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Rram slips a jab and a cross from Fresh.
Fresh on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Fresh takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Fresh walks into a left hand.
Rram tests Fresh's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Fresh takes the fight into the clinch.
Thor Fresh seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Fresh prevents a body shot from Rram.
Rram tries to break the clinch but Fresh is controlling the position.
Rram blocks an elbow strike from Fresh.
Fresh throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Rram blocks it with crossed arms.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rram fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Fresh tries to pull guard but Rram won't allow it.
Rram wants to get back to striking at distance but Fresh won't allow it.
Rram throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Freshs head.

Fresh breaks the clinch.
Rram misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fresh shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rram throws a body kick that misses.
Rram misses with a wild body shot.
A jab lands there for Rram.
Rram keeps the fight on the outside.
Nice body punch from Rram.
Fresh changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rram tries to avoid it but Fresh manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rram to the ground. Rram escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
As Fresh backs away, Rram returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Yajson Rram has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thor Fresh.
Rram loads up on a big right hand but Fresh slips the punch.

Fresh shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Rram napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Fresh takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rram sneaks back into half guard.
Rram wants to get back to his feet.
Rram is trying to control but can't.

Fresh looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Rram pushes Fresh off looking to stand but Fresh dives back in and keeps control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fresh landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
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!

Fresh gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Fresh shoots for a takedown but Rram saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Rram is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Yajson Rram seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rram throws a nice inside leg kick.
Rram throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rram throws a shot from downtown. Fresh moves away and avoids it.
Rram fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fresh manages to avoid it.
Rram scores with a jab to the jaw.
Rram dips to his left and cracks Fresh with an uppercut!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rram feints a jab promting Fresh to slip. Rram then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Fresh slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Rram misses with a low kick.
Fresh doesn't manage to clinch there - Rram circles away.
Fresh ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rram takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Yajson Rram is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rram scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Fresh takes one to the chin there.
Fresh shoots in for a takedown but Rram shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Horrible takedown attempt by Fresh or perhaps it was just good defense by Rram, which made it look bad.
Fresh steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rram.
Fresh now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Fresh on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Fresh slips a jab and a cross from Rram.
Fresh tries to clinch there but Rram circles away.
Rram keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rram lands a right hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rram throws a series of punches but Fresh moves out of range.
Nice shot by Rram.
Fresh misses with a body shot.
Rram throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rram misses with a wild combination.
Nice sprawl there from Rram as Fresh shoots in.
Rram falls off balance throwing a combination
and Fresh counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rram thinking.
Thor Fresh has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Yajson Rram is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fresh throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fresh has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Fresh fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Rram checks it well.
Yajson Rram is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rram fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Fresh on the side of the head.
Rram lands with a straight right. Fresh didn't see that one coming.
Fresh tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Rram defends well and Fresh ends up having to push Rram into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Fresh tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yajson Rram showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rram, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yajson Rram!
Our winner, Yajson Rram, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.