PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Valdemar Friman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sigurd Fafnisbani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Friman's entrance music is Metallica - Damage Inc.. A fine choice. Fafnisbani has chosen What Frequencies Do to People by Tieum and Ophidian as his entrance music. Valdemar Friman has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Friman
vs
Fafnisbani

168 cm
27
160 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

176 cm
26
162 lbs
16 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Valdemar Friman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sigurd Fafnisbani!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Tarja Halkonen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fafnisbani gets a clinch.
Friman throws a knee to the head but misses.
Friman throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Fafnisbani blocks it with crossed arms.
Friman using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Fafnisbani has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Fafnisbani misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Friman.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Fafnisbani trying to control the position but instead, Friman has worked for underhooks and has pushed Fafnisbani into the cage.
Fafnisbani manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Friman breaks the clinch.

Fafnisbani gets caught flat footed, as Friman shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Friman drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Fafnisbani dives on top into guard.
Friman trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Fafnisbani really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Friman. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Friman is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Fafnisbani defends well.
Friman wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fafnisbani trying to control but Friman is working from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Friman is on top in guard.
Friman throws a big right hand that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Friman throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Fafnisbani works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Fafnisbani working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Friman.
Friman works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Friman throwing shots but Fafnisbani is blocking nicely.

Friman is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Fafnisbani won't allow Friman to pass to mount.

Friman wants to work for an arm triangle but Fafnisbani is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Friman trying to mount his opponent but Fafnisbani defends it.
Fafnisbani looks like he's trying to stand up.
Friman is stalling here. Fafnisbani is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Friman seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Fafnisbani has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Friman is trying to improve his position.
Friman is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Fafnisbani's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Friman is looking to control Fafnisbani's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Friman avoid being mounted?
Friman is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Friman is trying to control but can't.
Fafnisbani wants to lay and pray for a moment but Friman keeps working.
Friman is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Friman is working hard here to advance position.
It looks like Fafnisbani is going to stand back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Friman is looking to improve his position.
Fafnisbani with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Fafnisbani wants to get back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Friman is pressing down on Fafnisbani's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valdemar Friman dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Fafnisbani swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A combination from Friman does no damage.
Fafnisbani throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Friman shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Friman lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

Fafnisbani closes the distance and clinches.
Friman using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Fafnisbani has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Friman works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Fafnisbani keeping moving, preventing Friman from controlling successfully.
Fafnisbani tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Friman pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Fafnisbani is keeping the position for now.
Fafnisbani 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.

Friman drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Fafnisbani manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Friman has Fafnisbani in his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Friman has his foot on Fafnisbani's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Fafnisbani works his way back into a safe position though.
Friman controls Fafnisbani momentarily but Fafnisbani frees himself.

Fafnisbani avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Fafnisbani wants to stand but Friman has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Friman had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Fafnisbani defends it easily.
Fafnisbani tries to free his leg and advance position but Friman is retaining full guard.
Fafnisbani has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Friman is proving hard to escape from.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Fafnisbani controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Fafnisbani wants to control from the top but Friman keeps moving.
Friman manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Fafnisbani manages to get himself to full guard.
Friman wants to pass the guard but Fafnisbani is keeping the position.
Friman working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Fafnisbani keeping moving, preventing Friman from controlling successfully.
Fafnisbani pulls Friman in to control the position.

Friman drops back, looking for a kneebar! Fafnisbani looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Fafnisbani looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Fafnisbani!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fafnisbani decides to stand back up.
Sigurd Fafnisbani is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fafnisbani throws a solid leg kick but Friman takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Fafnisbani.
Friman throws a head kick that misses.
Friman misses with an uppercut
and Fafnisbani counters with a left and a right that stings Friman.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Fafnisbani.
Friman takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Friman throws a sloppy head kick
and Fafnisbani counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Fafnisbani chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Friman can pounce on him.
Friman lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Friman tries to clinch
and Fafnisbani counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fafnisbani lands a jab to Friman's midsection.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Friman throws an overhand right that lands on Fafnisbani's shoulder, as Fafnisbani tries to avoid the shot.
Fafnisbani misses with a wild body shot.
Friman throws a right hand that misses

and Fafnisbani counters by moving into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A hook to the body from Fafnisbani.
Still in the clinch, Fafnisbani scores with a nice short uppercut.
Fafnisbani blocks an elbow strike.

Friman is trying to trip Fafnisbani. He has hold of a leg but Fafnisbani is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Friman persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

Fafnisbani stands up.

Friman shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Friman showed some decent athleticism there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Friman is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Valdemar Friman will probably get the nod.
That's time! Friman's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Fafnisbani wants to clinch.
Friman throws a body kick the misses
and Fafnisbani counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Fafnisbani throws a leg kick but Friman checks it.
Fafnisbani drops his hands momentarily and Friman takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Fafnisbani gets tackled into the cage by Friman. Friman maintains the clinch.
Fafnisbani can't find room to land a body shot as Friman controls the action.
Fafnisbani lands a damaging elbow.
Fafnisbani is looking to control Friman's arms but Friman gets an underhook and turns him. Now Fafnisbani has his back to the cage.
Friman lands an uppercut.
Friman tries to land a knee to the head but Fafnisbani blocks with his arms.
Friman tries to circle away but Fafnisbani has him pinned against the cage.
Friman misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fafnisbani.
Fafnisbani lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Fafnisbani prevents Friman from breaking the clinch.
Fafnisbani is leaning against Friman and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Fafnisbani managing to block the knees to the body from Friman.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Friman is trying to break the clinch but Fafnisbani is controlling him.
Fafnisbani comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Fafnisbani stalling the fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fafnisbani struggles to land a body shot inside as Friman controls his hands.
Friman misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fafnisbani.
Fafnisbani misses with a hook to the ribs.
Fafnisbani tries to work over Friman's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A right hook to the body lands for Fafnisbani.
Friman tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Fafnisbani taking a breather.
Fafnisbani looking to stall.
Friman working Fafnisbani over with knees to the body.
Fafnisbani lands a body shot.
Fafnisbani is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Fafnisbani tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Friman's elbow.
Fafnisbani swings wildly with an uppercut but Friman uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short uppercut from Fafnisbani.
Friman trying to control the position but instead, Fafnisbani has worked for underhooks and has pushed Friman into the cage.
Fafnisbani scores with a hook to the body.
Fafnisbani lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fafnisbani misses with a body punch.
Good body shot from Fafnisbani.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Fafnisbani.
Fafnisbani scores with a hook to the body.
Fafnisbani trying to stall but Friman improves his position.
Friman trying to land knees to the body.
Fafnisbani misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Friman.
Fafnisbani throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Fafnisbani lands a body shot in the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A short body shot lands from Fafnisbani as the two fighters clinch.
Fafnisbani stalling in the clinch.
Fafnisbani on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A bit of stalling here from Fafnisbani.
Fafnisbani lands a body shot.
Fafnisbani scores with a hook to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Fafnisbani.
Fafnisbani is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Sigurd Fafnisbani.
Fafnisbani cracks Friman with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Fafnisbani defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Friman.
Fafnisbani tests Friman's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Fafnisbani slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Fafnisbani lands a nice hook to Friman's body. Friman takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Fafnisbani lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Friman at a distance.
Friman wants to clinch.
Friman misses with a leg kick
and Fafnisbani connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Fafnisbani lands a jab to Friman's midsection.
Friman circles away from the clinch attempt.
Friman tries to close the distance and clinch but Fafnisbani swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Fafnisbani jabs at Friman's body.
Jab, jab by Fafnisbani - just one landing.
Friman takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Friman misses with a hook to the body
and Fafnisbani counters with a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fafnisbani scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Fafnisbani lands a front kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fafnisbani fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Friman.
Some wild striking there from Fafnisbani.
Friman throws a lazy head kick

and Fafnisbani counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Fafnisbani.
Fafnisbani controlling the action here for a moment.
Fafnisbani works on Friman's body with a couple of short punches.
Fafnisbani will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Friman up against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Friman as Fafnisbani tries to tie him up.
A short right from Fafnisbani.
Valdemar Friman is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fafnisbani lands a right hand.
Good body shot from Fafnisbani.
A hook to the body from Fafnisbani.
Sigurd Fafnisbani has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fafnisbani tries to stall but Friman uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sigurd Fafnisbani comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Friman 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Valdemar Friman!