PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Asbjoern Andersson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Kaplan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Andersson
vs
Kaplan

201 cm
26
260 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

185 cm
23
252 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Warrior MMA $15 Boosters

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Asbjoern Andersson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joe Kaplan!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Robert Twigg and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Andersson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kaplan paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kaplan misses with a looping left.
Kaplan tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Andersson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Kaplan wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Andersson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Andersson as Kaplan tries to tie him up.
Andersson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kaplan has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Andersson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kaplan's face.

It looks like Joe Kaplan has been cut.
Andersson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Andersson leaning his opponent against the cage.
Andersson crunches a lovely knee into Kaplan's ribcage.
Kaplan looks gassed!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kaplan takes a knee right on the jaw!
Andersson landing knees to the head.
Andersson landing knees to the body.
Andersson lands a knee to the head.
Andersson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Andersson is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Andersson trying to land knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andersson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kaplan has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Andersson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Andersson is trying to stall.
Kaplan is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Andersson prevents Kaplan from breaking the clinch.
Kaplan tries to circle away but Andersson has him pinned against the cage.
Kaplan is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Andersson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kaplan's efforts to push away.
Kaplan tries to break the clinch but Andersson is controlling the position.
Andersson trying to land knees to the body.
Andersson trying to land knees to the body.
Andersson tries to stall but Kaplan uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kaplan tries to circle away but Andersson has him pinned against the cage.
Andersson tries a knee to the head but Kaplan blocks it.
Andersson misses with a knee strike.

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.
Kaplan tries to break free but Andersson pushes him back against the cage.
Kaplan is trying to force a seperation but Andersson has the dominant position.
Andersson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kaplan avoids it.
Andersson trying to land knees to the body.
Kaplan is trying to force a seperation but Andersson has the dominant position.
Kaplan is trying to break the clinch but Andersson is controlling him.
Andersson looking to throw knees to the head but Kaplan is blocking nicely.
Kaplan is trying to force a seperation but Andersson has the dominant position.
Andersson misses with a knee to the head.
Kaplan wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Andersson has him pressed against the cage.
Kaplan wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kaplan wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kaplan tries to circle away but Andersson has him pinned against the cage.
Kaplan is trying to break the clinch but Andersson is controlling him.
Kaplan has had enough of the clinch but Andersson keeps him there for the moment.
Kaplan is looking to break free of the clinch but Andersson has double underhooks.
Kaplan wants to break the clinch but can't.
Andersson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kaplan has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kaplan tries to break the clinch but Andersson is controlling the position.
Andersson misses with a knee strike.
Kaplan is trying to force a seperation but Andersson has the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaplan has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kaplan is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kaplan has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kaplan has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kaplan wants to break free but Andersson has control.
Andersson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kaplan's efforts to push away.
Kaplan looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kaplan has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kaplan wants to break the clinch but can't.
Andersson wants to stall.
Kaplan wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kaplan tries to stall but Andersson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kaplan wants to break the clinch but can't.
Andersson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Andersson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kaplan's efforts to push away.
Andersson is looking to control Kaplan's arms but Kaplan gets an underhook and turns him. Now Andersson has his back to the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Kaplan's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kaplan wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kaplan wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Andersson tries to land a knee to the head but Kaplan blocks with his arms.
Kaplan is looking to break free of the clinch but Andersson has double underhooks.
Kaplan wants to get back to striking at distance but Andersson won't allow it.
Kaplan has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kaplan working hard to break the clinch.
Kaplan tries to circle away but Andersson has him pinned against the cage.
Andersson keeps control of Kaplan as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Andersson has Kaplan pressed against the cage, preventing Kaplan from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A frustrated look appears on Kaplan's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kaplan is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kaplan is trying to break the clinch but Andersson is controlling him.
Kaplan is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kaplan wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kaplan is trying to break the clinch but Andersson has him pressed against the cage.
Kaplan wants to break free but Andersson has control.
Kaplan wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kaplan tries to circle away but Andersson has him pinned against the cage.
Kaplan wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Asbjoern Andersson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joe Kaplan's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kaplan closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Andersson to the mat! Andersson manages to get full guard.
Andersson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kaplan's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Kaplan wants to control from the top but Andersson keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kaplan postures up in Andersson's guard and throws a big left but Andersson blocks it.
Kaplan loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Andersson trying to keep a closed guard but Kaplan is proving a slippery customer.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kaplan with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kaplan would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kaplan thows a body shot but no joy.

Kaplan scores with a takedown into Andersson's guard.
Kaplan trying to control but Andersson is working from the bottom.
Andersson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kaplan trying to control but Andersson is working from the bottom.
Kaplan lands a couple of digs.
Kaplan cracks Andersson with a solid left hand.
Kaplan postures up in Andersson's guard and throws a big left but Andersson blocks it.
Andersson has a closed guard, preventing Kaplan from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kaplan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Kaplan closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Andersson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kaplan.
Kaplan looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Andersson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Kaplan throws a strike but Andersson avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Andersson is trying to keep Kaplan in close.
Kaplan with a flurry of punches that miss.
Andersson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kaplan must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kaplan is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Kaplan trying to control the position from guard on top but Andersson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andersson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kaplan is in close to Andersson's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Kaplan wants to control from the top but Andersson keeps moving.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Kaplan shoots in and bounces Andersson off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Kaplan throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kaplan works over Andersson with some ground and pound from guard.

Kaplan gets to his feet. Andersson looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Kaplan is looking to clinch but Andersson is avoiding it.
Kaplan misses with the body kick
and Andersson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Andersson dodges the punch combination from Kaplan.
Andersson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Asbjoern Andersson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Andersson throws a nice looking combination but Kaplan bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kaplan misses with a double jab
and Andersson counters with a big head kick but Kaplan shrugs it off.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kaplan.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Andersson misses with a knee strike.
Kaplan tries to break free but Andersson pushes him back against the cage.
Andersson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kaplan blocks it with crossed arms.
Kaplan is trying to break the clinch but Andersson is controlling him.
Andersson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kaplan blocks it with crossed arms.
Andersson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kaplan has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Kaplan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Joe Kaplan's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kaplan thows a body shot but no joy.
Kaplan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Horrible takedown by Kaplan or perhaps it was just good defense by Andersson which made him look bad.
Andersson moves out of range of the strikes.

Kaplan shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Kaplan is looking to stand up but he'll have to free his leg first. Instead, Andersson manages to get to full guard.
Andersson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kaplan's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kaplan wants to stand up but Andersson is controlling him.
Andersson won't allow Kaplan to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaplan trying to keep a closed guard but Andersson is proving a slippery customer.
Andersson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Andersson wants to control from the top but Kaplan keeps moving.
Kaplan 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.
Andersson wanted to stand there but Kaplan had control of the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kaplan can do anything to dispel that myth.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Andersson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kaplan.
Kaplan throws a left and a right that both miss
and Andersson counters with a nice body kick.
Kaplan doesn't manage to clinch there - Andersson circles away.

Kaplan shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kaplan showed some decent athleticism there.
Andersson is looking to control Kaplan's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Andersson avoid being mounted?
Ground and pound from Kaplan.
Kaplan is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andersson is trying to stand back up but Kaplan is controlling him
Andersson taking some punishment here, with Kaplan in his half guard.
Kaplan trying to control the action but Andersson is working from the bottom.
Andersson is trying to control but can't.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kaplan with a poor takedown

and Andersson counters by moving into the clinch.
Kaplan wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kaplan wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kaplan takes a knee to the side of the body.
Andersson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Andersson putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Kaplan in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Kaplan is trying to maintain a safe position but Andersson gets an underhook and turns Kaplan into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Andersson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kaplan has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Andersson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kaplan's efforts to push away.
Kaplan is looking to break free of the clinch but Andersson has double underhooks.
A knee to the head by Andersson.
Kaplan tries to break free but Andersson pushes him back against the cage.
Kaplan wants to break the clinch but can't.
Andersson has Kaplan pressed against the cage, preventing Kaplan from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kaplan tries to work over Andersson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kaplan has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kaplan has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kaplan is trying to break free.
Andersson lands a knee to the head.
Andersson keeps control of Kaplan as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kaplan is trying to break the clinch but Andersson has him pressed against the cage.
Kaplan tries to work over Andersson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Andersson tries a knee to the head but Kaplan blocks it.
Andersson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kaplan blocks it with crossed arms.
Kaplan wants to stall.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Kaplan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kaplan has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:28

The fight is ruled a draw!