PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Simon Hedegaard (ranked 2315 p4p, 1203 weight class) and Chief Claw (ranked 285 p4p, 150 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Hedegaard
vs
Claw

208 cm
34
195
34 - 22 - 0

188 cm
43
200
29 - 28 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Brawler
Very quick

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 34 - 22 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Simon Hedegaard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 28 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chief Claw!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Albert Achterberg and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Claw bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Hedegaard is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Claw stands up and beckons Hedegaard to his feet.

Claw shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Claw decides to return to a standing position.

Claw shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Hedegaard is trying to defend but Claw finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Hedegaard really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Claw wants to stand up but Hedegaard manages to regain full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Claw has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Hedegaard is proving hard to escape from.
Hedegaard tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hedegaard manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Claw manages to get himself to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hedegaard stops Claw from standing up.
Hedegaard trying to control but Claw is working from the bottom.
Hedegaard trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hedegaard trying to control but Claw is working from the bottom.
Claw avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Claw manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Hedegaard changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Claw fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Claw closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Hedegaard has one foot on Claw's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hedegaard shoots in but no luck this time.
Hedegaard stuffs the takedown attempt from Claw. Claw gets slowly back to his feet.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Hedegaard enables Claw to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Hedegaard manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Hedegaard scrambles and gets back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hedegaard swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Claw shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Hedegaard napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Hedegaard is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Claw's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Hedegaard trying to control here.
Claw tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Hedegaard tries to get to full guard but Claw has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Claw decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
No luck for Hedegaard with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Simon Hedegaard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hedegaard misses with an uppercut. Claw saw that one coming.

Hedegaard gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Hedegaard has his feet on Claw's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Claw closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Hedegaard bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

Claw gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Claw uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Claw throws a head kick that misses.
Claw stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Claw wants it to stay on the feet.
Hedegaard shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Claw sprawls well. Claw wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hedegaard gets slowly back to his feet.
Claw shapes to counter with a head kick.

Claw shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Hedegaard napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Claw has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Hedegaard leaves Claw with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hedegaard changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Claw shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hedegaard pinned against the cage. Hedegaard gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
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 Simon Hedegaard 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.

Hedegaard wants to clinch up but Claw keeps it at a distance.

Hedegaard darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Hedegaard is working for a submission of some sort.
Claw is not content to let Hedegaard control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hedegaard controlling the action here.

Hedegaard 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hedegaard not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Hedegaard lands with a punch from half guard.
Hedegaard seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Claw does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hedegaard passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Claw!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Claw wants to get back to his feet.
Hedegaard is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Claw can do to turn this around?
Hedegaard trying to control but Claw is having none of it.
Hedegaard wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Hedegaard looking to control but Claw is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Hedegaard will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hedegaard takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

Hedegaard is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Claw to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Claw shrugs it off.
Claw is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Hedegaard looking to control but Claw is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Claw squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.

Claw somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Claw scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Hedegaard throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hedegaard shoots in but Claw avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Hedegaard shoots in but no luck this time.
Hedegaard shoots for a takedown but Claw saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Claw throws a fast counter high kick but Hedegaard manages to duck under it in time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Simon Hedegaard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hedegaard shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Claw pinned against the cage. Claw gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hedegaard shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Claw pinned against the cage. Claw gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Claw looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Hedegaard gets caught flat footed, as Claw shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Hedegaard manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Simon Hedegaard dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Claw tries for a takedown but Hedegaard sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Hedegaard throws a big shot that misses.
Claw is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Hedegaard tries for a takedown but Claw sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Claw shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hedegaard pinned against the cage. Hedegaard gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

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

Hedegaard kicks off Claw and gets to his feet.
Chief Claw seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Claw shoots in for a double leg but Hedegaard sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Simon Hedegaard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chief Claw.
Hedegaard fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hedegaard fails with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hedegaard. Claw does a little dance to reset his feet.
Claw shapes to counter with a head kick.
Claw looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hedegaard takes a jab right on the kisser.

Hedegaard shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Claw's guard.

Claw pushes Hedegaard off and gets back to his feet.
Hedegaard keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

Hedegaard gets caught flat footed, as Claw shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Hedegaard has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Claw has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Claw prevents a takedown attempt there.
Claw is looking for a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hedegaard is looking for a takedown.

Claw jumps guard.
Claw keeping full guard, as Hedegaard tries to pass.
Hedegaard trying to control the position from guard on top but Claw is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hedegaard looking to pass the guard.
Hedegaard is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Hedegaard postures up and lands a big shot to Claw's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hedegaard missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hedegaard looking to pass the guard.
Claw avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hedegaard won't allow Claw to get back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Claw shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Claw is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Simon Hedegaard overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hedegaard looking for submissions off his back.
Hedegaard manages to get to full guard.

Hedegaard is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Claw is aware though and is defending well.
Claw tries to stand but Hedegaard is controlling from the bottom.

Hedegaard escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Claw gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Chief Claw has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Claw keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hedegaard's head.
Hedegaard wants to sweep but no luck.
Simon Hedegaard is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Hedegaard is looking for a triangle but Claw pushes his legs off easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Simon Hedegaard showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hedegaard, 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:27
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Simon Hedegaard!
Simon Hedegaard took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Altitude Clothing for their support in the buildup to the fight.