PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kyle Demarce (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and David Haggstrom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Demarce
vs
Haggstrom

183 cm
26
162 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

183 cm
25
162 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kyle Demarce!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, David Haggstrom!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, William Gold and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Haggstrom slips under a jab.

Demarce tries to sprawl but Haggstrom drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Haggstrom is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Haggstrom trying to control the position from guard on top but Demarce is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Demarce is pulling down on Haggstrom's head. It's preventing any offense from Haggstrom, at least for the moment.
Demarce trying to control the position.
Haggstrom trying to control but Demarce is working from the bottom.
Demarce trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Demarce throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Haggstrom tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Demarce is in Haggstrom's guard.
Demarce engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Haggstrom is working an open guard so Demarce takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Demarce has closed the distance and engaged Haggstrom in a clinch.
Haggstrom is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Haggstrom is fighting off a takedown attempt but Demarce is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Haggstrom to the mat. Haggstrom regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Demarce wants to control from the top but Haggstrom keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Demarce engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Haggstrom is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Demarce works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Haggstrom gets back to full guard.
Haggstrom tries to strike from the bottom.
Demarce looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haggstrom is trying to control the position but Demarce postures up.
Demarce trying to control the position from guard on top but Haggstrom is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Demarce won't allow Haggstrom to sweep him here.
Haggstrom trying to control the position here.

We're going to have a standup here because Kyle Demarce wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Haggstrom moves out of range as Demarce throws a body kick.
Haggstrom ducks under a wild hook from Demarce.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Demarce wants to clinch but Haggstrom slips to the side

and Haggstrom counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Haggstrom winds up and cracks Demarce with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Demarce won't allow Haggstrom to pass to mount.
Haggstrom wants to stand but his hand is trapped. Demarce uses the opportunity to regain full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Demarce can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Haggstrom controls the pace.
Haggstrom being controlled here momentarily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Haggstrom preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kyle Demarce will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Demarce shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Haggstrom pinned against the cage. Haggstrom gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Haggstrom shoots for a double leg takedown but Demarce sprawls well. He's pushed Haggstrom's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Demarce is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Haggstrom looks for a takedown but Demarce sprawls well.
Demarce shoots in but no luck this time.

Haggstrom shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Demarce is trying to defend but Haggstrom finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Haggstrom is thwarting Demarce's attempts to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haggstrom slows the pace down in half guard.
Demarce throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Haggstrom wants to get back to his feet.
Demarce is trying to control but can't.
Demarce moves into full guard.
Haggstrom tries to stand but Demarce is controlling from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haggstrom being controlled here momentarily.

Haggstrom got a little sloppy there for a moment and Demarce has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Haggstrom has managed to get both his arms back between Demarce's legs - danger averted.
Demarce looking for a sweep. Not yet Demarce, not yet.
Demarce is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The fighters are battling for position here. Haggstrom manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haggstrom is adopting a defensive guard.
Haggstrom wants to sweep but no luck.
Demarce wanted to stand there but Haggstrom had control of the position.
Haggstrom looking for a sweep. Not yet Haggstrom, not yet.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Haggstrom is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haggstrom trying to control the position from guard on top but Demarce is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Haggstrom stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Demarce swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Haggstrom trying to control but Demarce is working from the bottom.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Haggstrom throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Haggstrom trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Demarce avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Demarce keeping moving, preventing Haggstrom from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Haggstrom showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Demarce with a poor takedown

and Haggstrom moves into the clinch.
Demarce blocks a body shot from Haggstrom.
Haggstrom is trying to force a seperation but Demarce has the dominant position.

Demarce jumps guard and drags Haggstrom to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Demarce tries to strike from the bottom.
Demarce looking to hit a scissor sweep but Haggstrom is one step ahead there.
Demarce working a defensive guard here.
Haggstrom sitting in guard here, content to control.
Haggstrom wants to control from the top but Demarce keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

David Haggstrom has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Haggstrom manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Demarce on his heels. He'll look to pass Demarce's guard now, I'm sure.
Haggstrom cracks Demarce with a solid left hand.
Demarce looking for a sweep. Not yet Demarce, not yet.
Demarce wants to hit a switch here but Haggstrom passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Demarce there!
David Haggstrom has got the better of the ground game so far.
Haggstrom with good strikes from the mount here!
Demarce tries to reverse the position but Haggstrom maintains control.
Demarce tries to hold on but Haggstrom postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haggstrom working the ground and pound effectively.
Demarce squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Haggstrom content just to control the position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Demarce is looking to improve his position but Haggstrom isn't that keen on the idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haggstrom wants to control the pace but Demarce is squirming around nicely.
Demarce keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Haggstrom trying to control but Demarce is having none of it.
Haggstrom with shots to the head and body - Demarce looks very uncomfortable down there.
Demarce regains half guard.
Haggstrom wants to control but Demarce is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haggstrom tries to stand and escape but Demarce actually recovers to full guard.
Demarce working a defensive guard here.
Haggstrom wants to control from the top but Demarce keeps moving.
Haggstrom in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Haggstrom seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

OK we're going to have a standup here. David Haggstrom hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Haggstrom shoots for a takedown but Demarce saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
David Haggstrom comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Haggstrom 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... David Haggstrom!