PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Erik Bajramaj (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roland Box (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bajramaj comes to the cage accompanied by Godsmack - I Stand Alone. 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.

Bajramaj
vs
Box

194 cm
23
215 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

193 cm
22
221 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Erik Bajramaj!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Roland Box!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Roosa Järviläinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Box getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Bajramaj with a lazy takedown attempt
and Box counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A slapping leg kick lands for Box.
Bajramaj fails with the takedown.
Box swings for the body but Bajramaj moves out of range.
Bajramaj bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Box's head backwards.
Box throws a hook to the side of Bajramaj's head but Bajramaj sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bajramaj fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erik Bajramaj. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bajramaj looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Box is fending him off so far but Bajramaj persists. Nope, Box circles away and we're back to standing.
Bajramaj fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Bajramaj tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Box swivels and escapes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Box swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Box throws a series of strikes that have Bajramaj backpedaling.
Box looks to score with a jab to the body but Bajramaj is just out of range.
Bajramaj slips under a jab from Box.
A jab from Box finds it's way through Bajramaj's defenses.
Bajramaj takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Bajramaj misses with a takedown attempt
and Box makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Bajramaj really felt that one!
Bajramaj slips a straight right by Box.
Bajramaj displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Box throws out the jab.

Bajramaj shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Box is trying to defend but Bajramaj finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bajramaj is looking to advance position but Box won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bajramaj trying to control the action but Box is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Bajramaj is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Bajramaj is thwarting Box's attempts to control the position.
Box keeping control of the position.
Box has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bajramaj is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bajramaj is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Bajramaj wants to free his trapped foot but Box is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Box is positioning himself well to prevent Bajramaj advancing to mount.
Bajramaj wants to take a breather but Box is having none of it.
Bajramaj is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Box!
Box really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Bajramaj wants to control the pace but Box is squirming around nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Box defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Bajramaj.
Poor strikes thrown by Bajramaj there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Bajramaj avoids the attempt from Box to control.
Box is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Box tries to lock up and control but Bajramaj gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Box prevents any damage by holding on tight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Box sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Box wants to control but Bajramaj is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roland Box dominated that 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.

Bajramaj tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Box paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Box misses with a head kick.
Box misses with a looping left.
Bajramaj fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Box uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Bajramaj has time to react.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Bajramaj.
Box sneaks back into half guard.
Bajramaj wants to pass the guard but Box is defending well.

Bajramaj is trying to work for a kimura but Box is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Box trying to control here.
Box tries to roll over but Bajramaj keeps him under control.
Bajramaj trying to control from half guard but Box is working away.
Bajramaj with the ground and pound but Box uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Bajramaj trying to control the position from guard on top but Box is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bajramaj looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Box keeping moving, preventing Bajramaj from controlling successfully.
Bajramaj stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Box swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Box looking to control.

Box looking for a guillotine here but Bajramaj defends easily.
Box 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Box pulls Bajramaj in close to prevent any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bajramaj ducks under a wild hook from Box.
Bajramaj tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Box swivels and escapes.
Bajramaj fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Box avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erik Bajramaj. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bajramaj will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A chopping leg kick lands by Box.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bajramaj shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Box as he avoids it easily.
Box is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bajramaj.
Bajramaj shoots for a takedown but Box saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Box is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bajramaj.
Nice body kick from Box.
Bajramaj checks the leg kick.
Box swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bajramaj ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bajramaj shoots for a double leg takedown but Box sprawls well. He's pushed Bajramaj's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
No luck for Bajramaj with that takedown attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Box scores with a crisp jab that stopped Bajramaj in his tracks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roland Box showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Bajramaj checks a low kick from Box.
Bajramaj shoots in but Box avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Bajramaj shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Box throws out a leg kick but Bajramaj moves out of range and Box only half commits.
Box misses with a wild combination.
Box scores with a shot to the body.
Bajramaj shoots in but Box avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erik Bajramaj. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Bajramaj scores with a takedown into Box's guard.
Box controls Bajramaj momentarily but Bajramaj frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bajramaj looking to pass the guard.
Bajramaj trying to control the position from guard on top but Box is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bajramaj controlling from the top position.
Box controls Bajramaj momentarily but Bajramaj frees himself.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
No luck for Bajramaj with that takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Box defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bajramaj.
Box turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Bajramaj looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Box is fending him off so far but Bajramaj persists. Nope, Box circles away and we're back to standing.
Bajramaj fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A slapping leg kick lands for Box.
Bajramaj avoids a kick to the body.
Box tries to bum rush Bajramaj with a series of wild strikes but Bajramaj uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Box swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Box feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Bajramaj's calf.
Box misses with a hook. Bajramaj ducked under it nicely.
Erik Bajramaj has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bajramaj shoots for a takedown but Box saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A slow jab from Box misses its intended target.
The fighters circling - Bajramaj throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bajramaj looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Box is fending him off so far but Bajramaj persists. Nope, Box circles away and we're back to standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bajramaj on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Box stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Box wants it to stay on the feet.
Jab by Box.
Box scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Box lands with a good body shot.
Box throws a good cross that connects.
A nice leg kick lands there from Box.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bajramaj avoids a punch combination nicely.
Box pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Roland Box is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Bajramaj fails with the takedown
and Box counters with a three punch combo that has Bajramaj backing up. Bajramaj nods at Box to acknowledge the strikes.
Bajramaj misses with a takedown attempt
and Box counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Jab, jab by Box - just one landing.
Bajramaj misses with a takedown attempt

and Box counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Bajramaj's guard now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Box stays in close to Bajramaj's body and controls the position.
Let's hope that Box has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roland Box comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Box winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roland Box!