PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jan Olov Hermansson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Keith Richards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hermansson comes into the arena with Rammstein - Ich Will! blaring out of the sound system. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Olov Hermansson
vs
Richards

178 cm
32
158 lbs
17 - 11 - 0

175 cm
29
168 lbs
15 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Fury Nutrition Inc.

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 17 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jan Olov Hermansson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Keith Richards!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Gregory Folan and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hermansson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Richards counters with a nice low kick that buckles Hermansson's knee momentarily.
Hermansson has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Facebreaker Academy - Striking in the buildup to the fight.
Richards misses with a hook

and Hermansson counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Hermansson slows the pace down in half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Hermansson connects with a nice short shot to Richards's temple.
Richards on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Richards preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Richards wants to improve his position but Hermansson is controlling well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hermansson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Richards is just riding it out for now. Hermansson eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richards avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hermansson.
Richards trying to control but Hermansson postures up.
Nice strikes from Hermansson there.
Hermansson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hermansson throwing shots but Richards is blocking nicely.
Hermansson wants to control but Richards is keeping him busy.
Hermansson trying to mount his opponent but Richards defends it.
Richards is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Richards avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hermansson.
Hermansson wants to free his trapped foot but Richards is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Hermansson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Richards does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hermansson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Richards is pressing down on Hermansson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Richards wants to sweep here but Hermansson controlling him for the moment.
Hermansson wants to control from the top but Richards keeps moving.
Richards working a defensive guard but Hermansson passes into half guard.
Hermansson is stalling here. Richards is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Hermansson seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Richards has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Hermansson tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Richards wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hermansson, who protects the arm well.
Hermansson is trying to improve his position.
Hermansson regains half guard there - taking advantage of Richards's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Hermansson looking for submissions off his back.
Hermansson wants to control but Richards passes into side.
Hermansson is looking to reverse the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hermansson can't do much from the bottom here.
Hermansson is looking for a sweep.
Richards trying to control the action but Hermansson is working from the bottom.

Richards is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Hermansson has escaped the position, nice work there.
Richards trying to control the position but Hermansson is working away.
Hermansson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jan Olov Hermansson 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.

Hermansson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Richards throws a front kick aimed at Hermansson's knee but Hermansson avoids it well.
Hermansson scores with a jab to the jaw.
Richards misses with a few strikes there.
Richards lands a body shot.
Hermansson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Richards but Richards pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Hermansson looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Richards lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Richards controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Hermansson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Richards gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Hermansson is looking for a triangle but Richards pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hermansson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Richards gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Richards pushing down on Hermansson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Hermansson tries to get to full guard but Richards has control of the leg.

Richards is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Richards has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Richards is trying to take his opponent's back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hermansson is squirming around, avoiding Richards's attempts to control the action.
Richards moves to take his opponent's back.
Hermansson staying busy and making it hard for Richards to control.
I really don't envy Hermansson right now.
Hermansson is working hard here to advance position.
Hermansson has hold of Richards's arm. He needs to escape this position sooner or later but for now he's happy enough to control the position and prevent the submission attempts.

Hermansson showing good submission defense here.

Richards looking to break Hermansson's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Hermansson remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Richards will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Hermansson trying to control the position but Richards manages to sink in the hooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards controls the position.
Hermansson manages to reverse the position and now he's in Richards's guard. Nice work there by Hermansson.
Hermansson lands a couple of elbows.
Richards not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hermansson is looking to work some ground and pound but Richards has wrist control.
Richards is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Richards is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hermansson is just riding it out for now. Richards eventually gives up the hold.

Richards is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hermansson keeps control of the position for the meantime.

Hermansson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Richards pulls his head out easily.
Hermansson wants to get back to full guard.

Hermansson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Richards is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hermansson is just riding it out for now. Richards eventually gives up the hold.
Richards controlling the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keith Richards showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Hermansson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Richards wants to slow Hermansson down by chopping away at his legs.

Hermansson closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Richards quickly recovers to half guard.
Richards is looking for a sweep. Hermansson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Richards won't allow Hermansson to pass to mount.
Richards has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Richards avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hermansson.
Richards avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hermansson.
Richards is concentrating on defense, preventing Hermansson from advancing position.
Hermansson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hermansson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Richards keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Richards trying to hold on to Hermansson's head to control him but Hermansson postures up.
Richards taking some punishment here, with Hermansson in his half guard.

Hermansson seems to be working for a kimura but Richards defends the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hermansson is trying to control the action in half guard but Richards is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Richards is pressing down on Hermansson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Hermansson preventing the sweep.
Richards pulls Hermansson in to control the position.
Richards utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hermansson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Hermansson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Richards wants to sweep but no luck.

Hermansson drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Richards dives on top into guard.

Hermansson controls Richards momentarily but Richards frees himself.
Richards controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hermansson keeping moving, preventing Richards from controlling successfully.
Hermansson seems keen to control Richards's posture.
Richards trying to control the position from guard on top but Hermansson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Richards might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Hermansson haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Richards stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hermansson swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Richards is posturing up here but Hermansson has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Richards tries to roll out but it's too tight and Richards has to tap! Slick submission there by Hermansson!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Jan Olov Hermansson!
Our winner, Jan Olov Hermansson, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.