PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Michel Colucci (ranked 2564 p4p, 293 weight class) and Nils Ragnaar (ranked 1615 p4p, 197 weight class). Colucci comes to the cage accompanied by Le temps des cerises. The crowd seem to be enjoying Ragnaar's choice of entrance music: Mustasch - The Wave. Nils Ragnaar will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Colucci
vs
Ragnaar

176 cm
25
193 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

188 cm
25
194 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Michel Colucci!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nils Ragnaar!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Steve Erwin and Topper Green.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Colucci darts in looking for a takedown but Ragnaar gets double underhooks and turns Colucci into the cage.
Colucci on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Nice straight punches there by Ragnaar. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Ragnaar.
Colucci ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Colucci shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ragnaar counters with a good low kick that Colucci was not able to check.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Colucci.
Ragnaar appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michel Colucci. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Colucci fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ragnaar tries to counter by closing the distance.
Colucci will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Colucci uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ragnaar.
Ragnaar thows a leg kick but Colucci checks it

and Colucci counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Ragnaar!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Colucci is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Ragnaar knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Colucci lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Colucci has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Ragnaar tries to buck Colucci off but Colucci is having none of it.
Colucci trying to control the action but Ragnaar is working from the bottom.
Colucci is putting a hurting on Ragnaar here, landing some big shots from side control.
Ragnaar sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Colucci missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Colucci 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ragnaar trying to control here.
Ragnaar won't allow Colucci to pass to mount.

Colucci is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ragnaar defends it well.
Ground and pound from Colucci.

Colucci seems to be working for a kimura but Ragnaar defends the submission attempt.
Ragnaar is looking to improve his position.

Colucci wants to work for an arm triangle but Ragnaar is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Ragnaar 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ragnaar wants to control but Colucci is keeping busy.

Colucci is looking for a kimura but Ragnaar is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Colucci to get the leverage.
Ragnaar slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Ragnaar preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Colucci throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ragnaar wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ragnaar is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Colucci has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Ragnaar is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Colucci.
Colucci is not content to let Ragnaar control the position.
Colucci seems a little lost for a moment, as Ragnaar dominates the positioning.
Ragnaar is looking to take a break and control but Colucci is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Colucci is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Colucci is trying to maintain the position but Ragnaar is very close to passing his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Nils Ragnaar will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Colucci changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ragnaar tries to avoid it but Colucci manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ragnaar to the ground. Ragnaar escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ragnaar stuffs the takedown attempt from Colucci. Colucci gets slowly back to his feet.
Ragnaar is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Colucci has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michel Colucci. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Colucci shoots and misses

and Ragnaar counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Ragnaar lands a hook that snaps the head of Colucci backwards.
Colucci is looking to take this one to the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ragnaar is pressed up against the cage. Colucci has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Ragnaar down to the mat. Ragnaar avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Michel Colucci seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Ragnaar closes the distance and clinches.
Colucci drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ragnaar pulls his leg out and moves away.
An inside leg kick lands from Ragnaar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
That kick from Ragnaar tenderised Colucci's leg. Colucci is trying to keep his angry face on.
Colucci takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

It looks like Michel Colucci has been cut.
Ragnaar throws a shot from downtown. Colucci moves away and avoids it.
Colucci went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Nils Ragnaar is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Colucci shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ragnaar defends it nicely.
Ragnaar buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Colucci fails to land the takedown.
Ragnaar defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Colucci.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Colucci.
Colucci misses with a takedown attempt

and Ragnaar moves into the clinch.
Ragnaar has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ragnaar lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Colucci.
Colucci is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ragnaar pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Colucci blocks a body shot from Ragnaar.
Ragnaar is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Colucci fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A short right from Ragnaar on the inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Colucci has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ragnaar after a bit of a struggle.
Ragnaar is leaning against Colucci and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Colucci's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ragnaar lands with a light punch inside.
Ragnaar crunches a lovely knee into Colucci's ribcage.
Ragnaar's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Ragnaar lands a body punch in the clinch.
Ragnaar lands a good knee to the midsection. Colucci won't want to take too many of those.
Ragnaar tries a body shot but Colucci blocks it.
Knees to the body from Ragnaar.
Ragnaar lands with a short shot to the head.

Colucci breaks from the clinch.
Colucci tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Ragnaar counters with a low kick, right behind Colucci 's knee.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ragnaar instigates a clinch.
Ragnaar lands a body punch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ragnaar tries to throw a body punch but Colucci avoids it by throwing Ragnaar back against the cage.
Ragnaar landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Colucci goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ragnaar prevents it.
A short left from Ragnaar.
Ragnaar gets through Colucci's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Ragnaar tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ragnaar tries to throw a body punch but Colucci avoids it by throwing Ragnaar back against the cage.
Ragnaar lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Colucci backwards.
Colucci tries to score a body lock takedown but Ragnaar shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Ragnaar throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Colucci jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Ragnaar walks away with a smile on his face. Colucci gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Ragnaar throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Ragnaar clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nils Ragnaar showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Michel Colucci's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Colucci with a poor takedown
and Ragnaar counters with a right hand to the body.
Colucci is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ragnaar sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Nils Ragnaar seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ragnaar scoring well with a low kick there.
Ragnaar slaps away a takedown attempt from Colucci, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ragnaar is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michel Colucci. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ragnaar fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Colucci checks it well.
Colucci with a lazy takedown attempt
and Ragnaar counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ragnaar rushes Colucci and presses him up against the cage.
Colucci tries to stall but Ragnaar uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A hook to the body from Ragnaar.
Ragnaar lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Colucci jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Ragnaar walks away with a smile on his face. Colucci gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Ragnaar.
Ragnaar tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Colucci tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ragnaar paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A nice side step and Ragnaar releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

Ragnaar has closed the distance and engaged Colucci in a clinch.
Ragnaar is working Colucci over against the cage.
Ragnaar scores with a shot to the side of Colucci's head.
Ragnaar can't find room to land a body shot as Colucci controls the action.
Ragnaar lands a body shot.
Colucci takes a knee right on the jaw!
Ragnaar misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ragnaar can't find room to land a body shot as Colucci controls the action.
Ragnaar lands a body punch in the clinch.
Ragnaar cracks Colucci with a nice body shot.
Ragnaar struggles to land a body shot inside as Colucci controls his hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ragnaar lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Nice body punch from Ragnaar.
Ragnaar lands with a short head shot on the inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Colucci drags the fight down to the ground.
Ragnaar trying to control the position from guard on top but Colucci is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Colucci can't keep his opponent in guard - Ragnaar advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Ragnaar passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Colucci!
Ragnaar is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Ragnaar looking to control but Colucci is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Colucci is in all sorts of trouble here.
Ragnaar can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Colucci is looking to escape.
Colucci might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Colucci keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Ragnaar can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Colucci is looking to escape.
Nils Ragnaar has got the better of the ground game so far.

Ragnaar with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Ragnaar misses with some ground and pound and Colucci recovers position to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Colucci is looking to improve his position.
Ragnaar is keen to just control but Colucci is a slippery customer.
Ragnaar missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ragnaar sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Michel Colucci has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ragnaar trying to control from half guard but Colucci is working away.
Ragnaar controlling the action here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nils Ragnaar comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ragnaar has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 26:30
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 26:30
Judge Topper Green scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nils Ragnaar!
Nils Ragnaar thanked the fans post fight for their support.