PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Cub Swanson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pozar Pozar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pozar is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: z Buta Wjeżdzam. 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.

Swanson
vs
Pozar

173 cm
21
145 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
135 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Cub Swanson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Pozar Pozar!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Albert Achterberg and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Swanson clinches up with Pozar and pushes him back against the cage.
Pozar is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Swanson pulls guard successfully.
Swanson has control of Pozar's left arm, preventing Pozar from doing any damage.
Pozar in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Pozar looking to sit in guard and control but Swanson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Pozar working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Swanson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Swanson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Swanson is looking to work some ground and pound but Pozar has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pozar keeping moving, preventing Swanson from controlling successfully.
Swanson looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Swanson prevents Pozar from getting back to his feet.
Swanson postures up in Pozar's guard and throws a big left but Pozar blocks it.
Pozar has Swanson pulled in close to control his posture.
Swanson controlling from the top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Cub Swanson wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Pozar looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Swanson is fending him off so far but Pozar persists. Nope, Swanson circles away and we're back to standing.
Some wild striking there from Swanson.
Pozar shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Swanson pinned against the cage. Swanson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Pozar or perhaps it was just good defense by Swanson which made him look bad.
Cub Swanson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pozar Pozar.
Pozar shoots in but Swanson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Swanson scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Swanson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Pozar's head backwards.
Swanson lands a slapping body shot.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Swanson lands a really nice looking cross but Pozar seems unphased.
Swanson is looking to slow Pozar down with leg kicks.
Some wild striking there from Swanson.
Swanson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Cub Swanson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pozar tries to clinch up but Swanson circles away and keeps his distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice cross by Pozar.

Pozar moves into range and clinches up with Swanson.
Pozar tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Pozar has had enough of the clinch but Swanson keeps him there for the moment.
Swanson stops a takedown attempt from Pozar.
Swanson has had enough of the clinch but Pozar keeps him there for the moment.

Swanson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Swanson jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Sloppy strikes from Swanson. Those never looked like landing.

Swanson closes the distance and clinches.
Swanson can't break the clinch.

Swanson pulls guard effortlessly.
Pozar is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Pozar stands up and waves to Swanson to follow him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pozar is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sloppy strikes from Swanson. Those never looked like landing.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Swanson dives in and scores a takedown into Pozar's guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Pozar keeping full guard, as Swanson tries to pass.
Pozar is pulling down on Swanson's head to control his posture.
Swanson trying to control but Pozar is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Swanson looking to sit in guard and control but Pozar gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cub Swanson dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Pozar fails with an attempt to clinch.
Swanson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A cross from Swanson lands.
Pozar tries to clinch up but Swanson circles away and keeps his distance.
Swanson lands a leg kick that knocks Pozar off balance momentarily.
Pozar shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Pozar tries to close the distance and clinch but Swanson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Pozar takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Pozar tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Swanson swivels and escapes.

Swanson has managed to clinch.
Swanson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Pozar lands a damaging elbow.
Swanson wants to break the clinch but can't.

Swanson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Swanson connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Pozar's hands.
Cub Swanson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Swanson closes the distance and clinches.
Swanson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Pozar walks away with a smile on his face. Swanson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Swanson swats away the attempt to clinch by Pozar.
Swanson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pozar.
Swanson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Pozar avoids the body shot from Swanson.
Swanson throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Swanson lands with a thumping leg kick.
Swanson fakes the leg kick and cracks Pozar in the body.
Swanson scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Swanson throws a hook but Pozar avoids it easily.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Swanson crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Pozar - the referee stops the clock and Swanson gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Pozar. Swanson manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Pozar fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pozar shoots in but Swanson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Cub Swanson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pozar Pozar.
Pozar displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Swanson.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pozar throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Swanson throws a head kick but Pozar moves out of range.
Swanson swings for the body but Pozar moves out of range.
Jab from Pozar.
Cub Swanson is winning the standup battle so far.
Pozar fails in his attempt to clinch.
Pozar tries to close the distance and clinch up but Swanson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Pozar stuns Swanson with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A punch combination from Swanson misses.
Pozar shoots for a double leg takedown but Swanson sprawls well. He's pushed Pozar's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Pozar tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Swanson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pozar tries to clinch but Swanson moves out of range.
Pozar looks to land a right hand but Swanson moved out of range.
Pozar misses with a body shot.
Swanson misses with a lunging right hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Pozar tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Swanson misses with a wild combination.
Swanson swinging wildly here.
Pozar shoots in but Swanson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Swanson scores with a one two! Pozar had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Swanson shoots in looking for a takedown. Pozar tries to sprawl out of it but Swanson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Pozar manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Swanson misses with a hook. Pozar ducked under it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Swanson lands the left hand.
Pozar slips a jab from Swanson.
Pozar wants to clinch.
Swanson misses with a leg kick
and Pozar counters with a straight right hand.
No luck for Pozar with that takedown attempt.
Pozar tries to close the distance and clinch up but Swanson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Swanson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Pozar tries to avoid it but Swanson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Pozar to the ground. Pozar escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Pozar checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pozar shoots in looking for a takedown but Swanson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Pozar's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Pozar looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pozar changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Swanson tries to avoid it but Pozar manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Swanson to the ground. Swanson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cub Swanson dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Swanson catches Pozar with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Pozar moves in looking to clinch but Swanson pushes him off.
Swanson throws an off balance right hand

and Pozar decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Swanson's guard.
Pozar must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Pozar stopping the sweep attempt from Swanson.
Pozar trying to control the position from guard on top but Swanson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pozar preventing the sweep.

Swanson has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Pozar off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Swanson lands a jab-cross combination.
Swanson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Swanson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Pozar on the side of the head.
The fight stays on the outside here - Pozar looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Swanson connects with a right hand. Pozar shakes it off.
Swanson throws a nice looking combination but Pozar bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Pozar clinches.
Swanson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Swanson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Swanson has had enough of the clinch but Pozar keeps him there for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Swanson misses with an elbow strike.
A frustrated look appears on Swanson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Pozar is trying to pull guard but Swanson turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Swanson is trying to force a seperation but Pozar has the dominant position.
Swanson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Pozar has him pressed against the cage.

Swanson breaks the clinch.
Pozar is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Pozar shoots in for a takedown but Swanson shows good takedown defense.
Swanson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Swanson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Swanson has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Pozar will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Cub Swanson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pozar Pozar.
Nice takedown defense from Swanson. No joy for Pozar on that attempt.
Pozar on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Swanson connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Pozar momentarily.
Pozar shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Swanson works Pozar's body with a nice hook.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Pozar has Swanson pressed against the cage, preventing Swanson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Pozar pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Pozar drives through and clinches with Swanson against the cage.

Swanson successfully pulls guard.
Swanson wants to stand up but Pozar is controlling him.
Cub Swanson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Swanson keeping full guard, as Pozar tries to pass.
Swanson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Pozar Pozar has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pozar pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Swanson is keeping the position for now.
Swanson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Pozar manages to get himself to full guard.
Cub Swanson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Swanson wants to control from the top but Pozar keeps moving.
Pozar utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Pozar is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Pozar has his foot on Swanson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Swanson works his way back into a safe position though.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Cub Swanson.
Well Swanson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Daniel Blasius 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... Cub Swanson!
After the fight, Cub Swanson was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.