PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Per Svensson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Mintz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Per Svensson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Svensson
vs
Mintz

180 cm
23
198 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

175 cm
22
185 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent knees
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Per Svensson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Mintz!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Arvi Lind and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Svensson misses with a body shot.
Mintz wants to clinch.

Mintz fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Svensson, pushing him back against the ropes.
Mintz is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Svensson manages to break the clinch.
Svensson connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Mintz momentarily.
Mintz shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Svensson as he avoids it easily.

Mintz closes the distance and pushes Svensson back into the ropes.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Svensson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Mintz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Svensson misses with a body kick.
Svensson lands a nice looking kick to the body. Mintz takes a step back to recover.
Svensson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Svensson misses with an uppercut.
Svensson throws a right and a left that Mintz avoids nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Svensson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Mintz fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Oooh a lovely combination from Svensson sends Mintz down but not out. Svensson dives into side control looking to finish.

Mintz is rocked!

It looks like Mike Mintz has been cut.
Mintz gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Mintz is still in real trouble! Can Svensson finish him?
Svensson controlling the position easily from mount.
Mintz seems to have recovered his senses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mintz is squirming around, avoiding Svensson's attempts to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Svensson sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Mintz has given up his back here.
What can Mintz do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Svensson keeps control of the position as Mintz tries to break free.
Svensson slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Svensson missing with strikes.

Mintz preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Svensson.
Svensson biding his time, looking for the opening.
Mintz looking very determined here, making life difficult for Svensson.

Svensson is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Mintz defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
I would not like to be Mintz right now.

That's four 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.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Per Svensson just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Mintz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Svensson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Svensson takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Svensson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mintz shoots in but Svensson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Per Svensson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Mintz.
Mintz tries to clinch up.
Svensson tries for a takedown but Mintz circles away easily

and Mintz holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Svensson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Svensson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mintz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Svensson wants to get back to striking at distance but Mintz won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Per Svensson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mike Mintz's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Svensson throws a combination that misses

and Mintz counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Svensson is adopting a defensive guard.
Svensson controls Mintz momentarily but Mintz frees himself.
Mintz trying to stand up but can't free himself from Svensson's guard.
Svensson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mintz pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Svensson is keeping the position for now.
Mintz preventing the sweep.

Svensson is looking for a triangle but Mintz pushes his legs off easily.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Svensson does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Svensson swats away the attempt to clinch by Mintz.
Svensson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Mintz has managed to clinch.
Svensson blocks an elbow strike.

Mintz is fighting off a takedown attempt but Svensson is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Mintz to the mat. Mintz regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Mintz 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 two minutes gone in the round.
Mintz is trying to keep Svensson in close.
Mintz is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Svensson sitting in guard here, content to control.
Svensson postures up in Mintz's guard and throws a big left but Mintz blocks it.
Svensson trying to control but Mintz is working from the bottom.

Mintz has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Svensson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mintz is looking for a triangle but Svensson pushes his legs off easily.
Mintz is breathing heavily.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A decent looking cross lands there for Svensson.
Svensson throws out a loose jab but Mintz uses good head movement to avoid it.
Per Svensson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Svensson scores a takedown into full mount!
Svensson controlling from the full mount.
Svensson tries to control but Mintz wriggling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Svensson looking to control and managing it successfully.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Per Svensson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mike Mintz's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Svensson misses with a looping right.
Svensson is looking to score with low kicks.
Mintz misses with a takedown attempt
and Svensson counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Svensson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Svensson misses with a combination

so Mintz counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Svensson wants to sweep here but Mintz controlling him for the moment.
Mintz trying to control but Svensson is working from the bottom.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Svensson wants to sweep but no luck.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Svensson can't keep his opponent in guard - Mintz advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Svensson trying to control but Mintz postures up.
Mintz content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Mintz is trying to control the action in half guard but Svensson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Svensson wants to control but Mintz is keeping busy.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Svensson works his way to full guard. Good work.
Mintz wants to control from the top but Svensson keeps moving.
Svensson wants to sweep here but Mintz controlling him for the moment.
Svensson pulls Mintz in close to prevent any damage.
Svensson is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mintz pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Svensson is keeping the position for now.
Svensson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Svensson is looking to take a break and control but Mintz is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Svensson is looking to advance position but Mintz won't allow it.
Mintz wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Svensson tries to pass to full mount but Mintz defends it.
Mintz is looking to escape.
Mintz works his way to full guard. Good work.

Mintz had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Svensson is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Mintz Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Svensson's back instead.
Svensson looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Svensson is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Mike Mintz just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Mike Mintz's cut.
That's time! Svensson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Svensson lands a nice leg kick that just misses Mintz's sensitive parts.
Svensson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Svensson throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Svensson swinging wilding here.
Nice straight punches there by Svensson. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Svensson.
Svensson wants to slow Mintz down by chopping away at his legs.
Mintz tries for a takedown but Svensson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Svensson throws a body kick that misses.
Svensson looks to score with a jab to the body but Mintz is just out of range.
Svensson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Mintz on the side of the head.
Mintz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Svensson tries to avoid it but Mintz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Svensson to the ground. Svensson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Per Svensson is winning the standup battle so far.
Svensson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Svensson looks to land a combination but Mintz avoids it well.
Mintz shoots for a double leg takedown but Svensson sprawls well. He's pushed Mintz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Per Svensson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Mintz.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Svensson.
Svensson lands a nice leg kick that just misses Mintz's sensitive parts.
Svensson throws a head kick that misses
and Mintz counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Svensson scores with a hook.
Mintz shoots in for a double leg but Svensson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Svensson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mintz circles away quickly and effectively.
Svensson throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Mintz avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Mintz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Svensson throws a half hearted mid kick.
Mintz tries to clinch up.
Svensson misses with a low kick as Mintz jumps back.
Svensson misses with a wild combination.
Mintz takes a swing at Svensson's ribcage but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mintz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Svensson throws a sloppy head kick and Mintz moves out of range easily.
Mintz closes the distance but Svensson moves to the side
and Svensson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Mintz clinches up with Svensson and pushes him back against the ropes.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Mintz.
Mintz tries to score a body lock takedown but Svensson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Svensson breaks from the clinch.
Mintz moves forwards but Svensson connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Svensson stalks Mintz and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Mintz's face. Mintz staggers backwards, shaken.
Mintz takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mintz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Svensson circles away from the clinch attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Mintz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Svensson throws a head kick but Mintz moves out of range.
Mintz moves in looking to clinch but Svensson pushes him off.
Mintz doesn't manage to clinch there - Svensson circles away.
Mintz avoids the body shot from Svensson.
Svensson connects with a high kick.
Svensson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mintz is fending him off so far but Svensson persists. Nope, Mintz circles away and we're back to standing.
Mintz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Svensson paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Mintz has managed to clinch.
Svensson tries to land a knee to the head but Mintz blocks with his arms.
Mintz pushes off an throws an elbow but Svensson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Svensson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mintz fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Mintz tries to clinch up but Svensson circles away and keeps his distance.
Mintz clinches but Svensson breaks the clinch

and Svensson counters with a single leg into guard. Mintz didn't expect that.
Mintz wants to stand and escape but Svensson is having none of it.
Svensson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Mintz's guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Svensson in particular looking to stall.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mintz moves into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Per Svensson had his way with Mike Mintz in that round.
The cut man is working on Mike Mintz's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Svensson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Svensson swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Mintz counters by moving into the clinch.
Mintz using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Svensson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Svensson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Svensson stalls.
Mintz keeps control of Svensson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Svensson breaks from the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Mintz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Svensson closes the distance and clinches up with Mintz, looking for a takedown. Svensson pushes Mintz against the ropes but Mintz circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Svensson missing with a left hand there. Mintz was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mintz tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Svensson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Mintz is looking to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mintz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Svensson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Svensson swats away the attempt to clinch by Mintz.
Svensson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mintz wants to clinch.
Mintz moves out of range as Svensson throws a body kick.
Mintz is looking to clinch.
Svensson circles away from the clinch attempt
and Svensson counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Mintz misses with a double jab.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Svensson, right into the meat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Svensson misses with a series of wild punches.
Mintz looks to clinch
and Svensson counters with a nice kick to the body.
Svensson scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Svensson scores with a push kick.
Svensson swats away the attempt to clinch by Mintz.
Svensson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mintz shoots in looking for a takedown. Svensson tries to sprawl out of it but Mintz keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Svensson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Svensson lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Svensson throws an overhand right that lands on Mintz's shoulder, as Mintz tries to avoid the shot.
Svensson throws a leg kick but Mintz sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Svensson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mintz wants to clinch
and Svensson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Mintz takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Svensson misses with a wild combination.
Mintz feints and then cracks Svensson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Svensson down.
Mintz tries to clinch up but Svensson circles away and keeps his distance.
Per Svensson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Svensson fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Mintz is out of range.
Svensson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mintz sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mintz wants to clinch
and Svensson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Mintz with a poor takedown
and Svensson counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Mintz lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Svensson tries a head kick but it misses.
Mintz tries to clinch but Svensson is having none of it.
Nice uppercut lands for Svensson. That snapped Mintz's head back.
Per Svensson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Svensson jabs Mintz right on the nose. Mintz blinks but takes it well.

Mintz closes the distance and pushes Svensson back into the ropes.

Svensson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mintz is looking to clinch.
Mintz fails with an attempt to clinch.
Svensson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Mintz holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Svensson manages to break the clinch.
Svensson lands a jab to Mintz's midsection.
Svensson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A jab lands there for Svensson.
Mike Mintz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mintz misses with a double jab
and Svensson counters with a body kick that stops Mintz in his tracks momentarily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Per Svensson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Svensson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 49:46
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 50:46
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Per Svensson!
Per Svensson retains his middleweight title!