PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mikael Sundqvist (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Rice (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rice comes into a darkened arena with his song building. AC/DC - Thunderstruck kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Mikael Sundqvist has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Sundqvist
vs
Rice

188 cm
21
198 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

175 cm
23
185 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Prefers standup

Rusty Cage Fightwear (powered by Sabotage, Inc.)

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mikael Sundqvist!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Steve Rice!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Trevor Gratis and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rice finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Sundqvist fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Rice on the side of the head.
Rice tries to work over Sundqvist's front leg with a kick but Sundqvist checks it.
A head kick misses from Sundqvist.
A decent looking cross lands there for Sundqvist.
Rice throws a head kick that misses.
A head kick misses from Rice.
Sundqvist takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Rice misses with a head kick.
Sundqvist throws a series of punches but Rice moves out of range.
Rice throws the kick towards the body but Sundqvist avoids it.
Sundqvist just misses with a punch to the body.
Sundqvist moves out of range of the leg kick from Rice.
Sundqvist lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Sundqvist.
Sundqvist shoots in for a double leg but Rice sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Sundqvist shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Sundqvist was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rice is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sundqvist with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sundqvist landing strikes from the mount and Rice is in trouble!
Sundqvist throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Rice because Sundqvist loaded up on that one.
Rice wants to get back to his feet.
Rice wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Sundqvist.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Rice is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Sundqvist looking to control and managing it successfully.
Sundqvist trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Sundqvist thowing shots but they're missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sundqvist is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Rice has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Rice!
Sundqvist bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rice's guard.
Sundqvist is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Rice keeping moving, preventing Sundqvist from controlling successfully.
Sundqvist has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Sundqvist connects with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sundqvist wants to control from the top but Rice keeps moving.
Sundqvist is pushing down on Rice's leg trying to pass to half guard. Rice is fighting to maintain full guard but Sundqvist has managed to sneak the leg through.
Sundqvist not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sundqvist seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rice does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Rice really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sundqvist. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sundqvist missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Sundqvist wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rice keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikael Sundqvist dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sundqvist bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rice's head backwards.
A telegraphed right hand from Sundqvist misses the target.
Sundqvist connects with a jab.
Rice rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sundqvist moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Sundqvist shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Sundqvist trying to control the action but Rice is working from the bottom.
Sundqvist not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Sundqvist is looking for a kimura but Rice is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sundqvist to get the leverage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rice is not content to let Sundqvist control the position.
Sundqvist is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Sundqvist will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Rice blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sundqvist.
Sundqvist trying to control the action but Rice is working from the bottom.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Mikael Sundqvist just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Rice throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Sundqvist throws a looping overhand right but Rice ducks down to avoid it.
Rice blocks a low kick nicely.
Sundqvist is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Sundqvist misses with a looping right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sundqvist misses with a body shot.
A head kick by Rice misses

and Sundqvist counters with a nice double leg into side control. Rice won't be happy with that.
Sundqvist looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Rice is avoiding damage well.
A lull in the action here as Sundqvist stalls from top position.
Sundqvist working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rice is trying to get back to his feet.
Sundqvist trying to control the position but Rice is working away.
Sundqvist tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
The referee asks Sundqvist politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Sundqvist prefers to stall for the moment though.
Sundqvist has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Rice!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Sundqvist is landing with some decent strikes but Rice is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Sundqvist takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

Sundqvist moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Rice has worked his arm free - good work by Rice!
Sundqvist throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Sundqvist postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikael Sundqvist dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Sundqvist wants to land a leg kick but Rice is out of range.
Rice slips under a jab.
Sundqvist misses with a hook. Rice ducked under it nicely.
Rice moves out of range of the strikes.
Rice rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sundqvist moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sundqvist connects with the punch.
Sundqvist connects with a jab.
Rice lands with a right hand.
Sundqvist looks to score with a jab to the body but Rice is just out of range.
Sundqvist fails to land the takedown.
Sundqvist shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rice as he avoids it easily.
Sundqvist throws a left and a right that both miss
and Rice connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rice lands a nice hook to Sundqvist's body. Sundqvist takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rice tries to bum rush Sundqvist with a series of wild strikes but Sundqvist uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A nice combination there by Sundqvist.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rice lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sundqvist circles away quickly and effectively.
Rice just misses with a punch to the body.
Rice ducks under a wild hook from Sundqvist.
Rice fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Sundqvist is out of range.
Rice misses with a double jab.
Rice throws a solid leg kick but Sundqvist takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Rice.
The fighters circling - Sundqvist throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rice moves forwards but Sundqvist connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Sundqvist just misses with a punch to the body.
Rice lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sundqvist circles away quickly and effectively.
A punch combination from Rice misses.
Rice swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Sundqvist misses with an uppercut. Rice saw that one coming.
No joy there for Rice, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's two 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.
Sundqvist shoots in for a takedown but Rice shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mikael Sundqvist. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sundqvist has a takedown stuffed.
Sundqvist will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mikael Sundqvist seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A jab from Rice misses.
Sundqvist misses the shot to the body.
Rice throws a head kick but Sundqvist moves out of range.
Sundqvist falls off balance throwing a combination
and Rice counters with a one-two to the body.
Rice throws a front kick aimed at Sundqvist's knee but Sundqvist avoids it well.
Sundqvist shoots in for a takedown but Rice shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sundqvist lands a body shot.
Rice misses with the combination.
Mikael Sundqvist is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rice comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Sundqvist throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Sundqvist takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sundqvist takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Sundqvist jabs at Rice's body.
Rice walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Sundqvist checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Sundqvist lands with a nice combination. Rice backs away looking to recover.
Steve Rice is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sundqvist doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rice counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Sundqvist takes a swing at Rice's ribcage but misses.
Sundqvist swinging wildly here.
Steve Rice has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rice misses with a series of wild punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rice moves out of range of the strikes.
Sundqvist defending well as Rice loads up on a big left hand.
Sundqvist ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rice takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Sundqvist swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Rice.
Sundqvist feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rice's calf.
Rice takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Sundqvist misses with a double jab
and Rice counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Rice takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Rice takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Sundqvist lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sundqvist is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rice.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Rice comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sundqvist has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mikael Sundqvist!