PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sparky Anderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jan Olov Hermansson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Anderson has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Sparky Anderson could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Jan Olov Hermansson's chin.

Anderson
vs
Olov Hermansson

173 cm
39
164 lbs
18 - 8 - 0

178 cm
38
168 lbs
28 - 25 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 18 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Sparky Anderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 25 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Jan Olov Hermansson!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Trevor Gratis and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hermansson tries to grapple but his opponent circles
enabling Anderson to counter with a crisp jab.
Anderson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Hermansson doesn't manage to clinch there - Anderson circles away.
Hermansson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Anderson.

Hermansson has managed to clinch.
Hermansson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hermansson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Anderson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Hermansson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Anderson. Anderson obviously looking to wear him down.
Hermansson tries to clinch but Anderson moves out of range.
Anderson was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Hermansson fails in his attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hermansson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hermansson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Anderson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hermansson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Anderson. Anderson obviously looking to wear him down.
Anderson shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Hermansson eats them both and turns towards Anderson to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Jan Olov Hermansson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A slow jab from Anderson misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson keeps the fight on the outside.
Anderson tries to land a leg kick but Hermansson saw it coming and moves away.

Hermansson clinches with his opponent.
Anderson can't break the clinch.

Anderson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hermansson tries to clinch up.
Anderson throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hermansson wants to clinch.
Hermansson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Anderson keeps the fight on the outside.

Hermansson moves into range and clinches up with Anderson.
Anderson throws a punch but it's blocked by Hermansson.
Hermansson is looking for a takedown.
Anderson lands with a left to the head.
Anderson tries to work over Hermansson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hermansson slips under a jab from Anderson.
Hermansson tries to clinch up but Anderson circles away and keeps his distance.
Anderson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Anderson gets tackled into the cage by Hermansson. Hermansson maintains the clinch.
Hermansson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hermansson has Anderson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Anderson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Sparky Anderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jan Olov Hermansson.
Anderson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hermansson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Anderson prevents it.
Anderson throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Anderson lands a shot to the body.
Anderson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hermansson backwards.
Hermansson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Anderson after a bit of a struggle.

Anderson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hermansson wants to clinch.
Hermansson wants to clinch but Anderson slips to the side
and Anderson counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Hermansson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hermansson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Anderson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A good leg kick by Anderson.

Hermansson clinches.
Anderson struggles to land a body shot inside as Hermansson controls his hands.
Anderson lands a right hand.
Anderson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Anderson working aggressively here.

Anderson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A bone on bone clash there as Hermansson blocks the leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Anderson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hermansson.
Hermansson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Anderson.
Hermansson doesn't manage to clinch there - Anderson circles away.
Anderson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Anderson tries to land a leg kick but Hermansson saw it coming and moves away.
Hermansson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hermansson tries to clinch but Anderson is having none of it.
Hermansson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Anderson.
Anderson wants to clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Anderson throws a low kick, looking for Hermansson's leg but Hermansson calmly moves out of range.

Hermansson takes the fight into the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Anderson.
Hermansson wants a takedown.
Hermansson is looking to take this one to the mat.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hermansson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sparky Anderson dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Hermansson tries to clinch up but Anderson circles away and keeps his distance.
Anderson keeps the fight on the outside.
Hermansson doesn't manage to clinch there - Anderson circles away.
Anderson misses with a low kick.

Hermansson darts in and clinches Anderson up against the cage.
Hermansson looking for a takedown.
Hermansson wants a takedown.
Anderson misses with the head strike.
Anderson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hermansson's elbow.
Anderson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hermansson can do to turn this around?
Anderson swings wildly with an uppercut but Hermansson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Anderson has a couple of punches blocked by Hermansson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Anderson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Anderson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Hermansson gets a clinch.
Anderson will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Hermansson up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson stops a takedown attempt from Hermansson.
Sparky Anderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jan Olov Hermansson.
Anderson tries to throw a body punch but Hermansson avoids it by throwing Anderson back against the cage.
Hermansson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Anderson struggles to land a body shot inside as Hermansson controls his hands.
Anderson is trying to break free.
Hermansson tries to score a body lock takedown but Anderson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A short right from Anderson.
Hermansson blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson tries to work over Hermansson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hermansson tries for a takedown but Anderson manages to get underhooks.
Anderson struggles to land a body shot inside as Hermansson controls his hands.

Anderson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hermansson takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

Hermansson instigates a clinch.
Anderson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Anderson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Anderson tries a body shot but Hermansson blocks it.

Anderson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Hermansson has Anderson up against the cage in a clinch.
Hermansson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hermansson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Anderson pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hermansson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Anderson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hermansson can't get the takedown.
Hermansson has Anderson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Anderson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Anderson swings wildly with an uppercut but Hermansson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Anderson misses with a punch to the body.
Anderson stops a takedown attempt from Hermansson.
Anderson misses with a punch to the body.
Anderson gets underhooks to prevent Hermansson's takedown attempt.
Anderson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Anderson swings wildly with an uppercut but Hermansson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Anderson lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Anderson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Anderson.
Anderson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Anderson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hermansson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Anderson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Anderson can't find room to land a body shot as Hermansson controls the action.

Anderson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sparky Anderson is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hermansson moves out of range of the strikes.
Anderson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Anderson throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hermansson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sparky Anderson dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Anderson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Anderson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hermansson.
Anderson lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Anderson missing with a left hand there. Hermansson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Hermansson forces Anderson back against the cage and clinches.

Anderson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Hermansson clinches with his opponent.
Hermansson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Anderson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hermansson blocks an uppercut.
Anderson tries to work over Hermansson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Anderson manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hermansson tries to clinch but Anderson is having none of it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hermansson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hermansson defending well as Anderson loads up on a big left hand.
Good exchange - Anderson coming out on top.

Hermansson clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Anderson tries to circle away but Hermansson has him pinned against the cage.
Anderson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hermansson's elbow.

Anderson breaks the clinch.
Hermansson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Anderson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hermansson tries to clinch there but Anderson circles away.
Anderson throws a leg kick that misses.
Hermansson doesn't manage to clinch there - Anderson circles away.

Hermansson has Anderson up against the cage in a clinch.
A short body shot lands from Anderson as the two fighters clinch.
Anderson is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Anderson working aggressively here.
Hermansson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jan Olov Hermansson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sparky Anderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jan Olov Hermansson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Anderson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hermansson's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Hermansson doesn't manage to clinch there - Anderson circles away.
Anderson wants to slow Hermansson down by chopping away at his legs.
Hermansson tries to clinch but Anderson is having none of it.
Anderson cracks the inside of Hermansson's front leg.
Hermansson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Anderson paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Hermansson darts in and clinches Anderson up against the cage.

Anderson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hermansson has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Hermansson there as he acknowledges the shot.
Hermansson tries to clinch there but Anderson circles away.
Hermansson tries to clinch but Anderson moves away
and Anderson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Anderson is looking to chop away at Hermansson's legs.
Anderson connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Anderson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Hermansson.
Hermansson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Anderson is looking to counter punch.

Hermansson rushes Anderson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Anderson has had enough of the clinch but Hermansson keeps him there for the moment.
Anderson is pressed up against the cage. Hermansson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Anderson down to the mat. Anderson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Hermansson closes the distance and pushes Anderson back into the cage.
Hermansson keeps control of Anderson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Anderson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hermansson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Anderson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Hermansson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Anderson lands a head shot.

Hermansson clinches up against the cage.

Anderson breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hermansson tries to clinch but Anderson moves out of range.
Anderson appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

Hermansson moves into the clinch.

Anderson breaks the clinch.

Hermansson closes the distance and clinches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hermansson blocks a body shot from Anderson.
Anderson dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Anderson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sparky Anderson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hermansson missing with knees to the body.
Anderson tries to work over Hermansson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hermansson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Anderson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Anderson lands a right hand.
Anderson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hermansson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Anderson is defending well for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sparky Anderson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Anderson 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 30:27
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sparky Anderson!
A pretty intense looking Sparky Anderson took the opportunity post-fight to ask for a shot at the title.