PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Arttu Bjorkholm (ranked 4937 p4p, 3525 weight class) and Yoel Lindegaard (ranked 429 p4p, 345 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Lindegaard's choice of entrance music: Ghost - Square Hammer. The key to victory for Arttu Bjorkholm has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Bjorkholm
vs
Lindegaard

171 cm
18
148
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
150
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

LET Clothes

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Arttu Bjorkholm!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Yoel Lindegaard!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lindegaard is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bjorkholm sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
It looked like Bjorkholm was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Bjorkholm misses with a shot to the body

and Lindegaard counters with a single leg into guard. Bjorkholm didn't expect that.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Lindegaard trying to control the position from guard on top but Bjorkholm is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Bjorkholm is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Bjorkholm throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lindegaard thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Lindegaard gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Lindegaard throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Bjorkholm tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Lindegaard is in Bjorkholm's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bjorkholm looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bjorkholm keeping moving, preventing Lindegaard from controlling successfully.

Bjorkholm had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Lindegaard defends it easily.
Lindegaard trying to control but Bjorkholm is working from the bottom.
Bjorkholm knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Lindegaard on the ground.

Bjorkholm looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Lindegaard drops back looking for a leg! Bjorkholm is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Bjorkholm manages to kick Lindegaard off! Lindegaard jumps back into Bjorkholm's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Lindegaard stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Lindegaard rushes Bjorkholm and presses him up against the cage.
Bjorkholm wants to break free but Lindegaard has control.

Lindegaard breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Bjorkholm takes the fight into the clinch.
Bjorkholm has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Bjorkholm works on Lindegaard's body with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bjorkholm has had enough of the clinch but Lindegaard keeps him there for the moment.

Lindegaard breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A head kick misses from Bjorkholm.
Lindegaard tries for a takedown but Bjorkholm sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Bjorkholm was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Arttu Bjorkholm is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lindegaard looks winded!
Bjorkholm misses with a double jab.

Bjorkholm gets caught napping as Lindegaard dives in and scores a takedown. Bjorkholm manages to retain guard.
Bjorkholm tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bjorkholm thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Bjorkholm throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
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.
Lindegaard scoring with punches to the head and body.
Lindegaard content to stall in guard here.
Lindegaard stops Bjorkholm from standing up.
Lindegaard trying to control the position from guard on top but Bjorkholm is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bjorkholm is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Lindegaard is controlling him.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Bjorkholm feints a jab promting Lindegaard to slip. Bjorkholm then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Lindegaard slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Lindegaard dodges the punch combination from Bjorkholm.
Lindegaard has his takedown stuffed

and Bjorkholm counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Bjorkholm wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Lindegaard has him pressed against the cage.
Bjorkholm wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lindegaard is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Bjorkholm to keep the fight standing.
A frustrated look appears on Bjorkholm's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Bjorkholm jumps guard and drags Lindegaard to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Bjorkholm keeping moving, preventing Lindegaard from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lindegaard sitting in guard here, content to control.
Lindegaard with a flurry of punches that miss.
Lindegaard is working Bjorkholm over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Lindegaard trying to control the position from guard on top but Bjorkholm is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Bjorkholm has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lindegaard can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Yoel Lindegaard has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lindegaard trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Lindegaard looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Bjorkholm 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.
Lindegaard trying to control the position from guard on top but Bjorkholm is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Bjorkholm misses with a head kick.
No joy there for Bjorkholm, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Lindegaard changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Lindegaard looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Lindegaard is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lindegaard wants to control from the top but Bjorkholm keeps moving.

Bjorkholm looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Lindegaard 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.
Lindegaard scoring with punches to the head and body.
Lindegaard is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Lindegaard wants to control from the top but Bjorkholm keeps moving.

Lindegaard stands up from Bjorkholm's guard - Lindegaard perhaps looking for a knockout.
Bjorkholm bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Lindegaard's head backwards.
Bjorkholm throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Lindegaard counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bjorkholm keeping moving, preventing Lindegaard from controlling successfully.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Yoel Lindegaard will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Bjorkholm avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lindegaard throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lindegaard shoots in but no luck this time.

Bjorkholm moves into the clinch.
Lindegaard keeps control of Bjorkholm as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Lindegaard manages to pull guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lindegaard pulls Bjorkholm in to control the position.
Lindegaard takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Bjorkholm drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Lindegaard manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Bjorkholm has Lindegaard in his guard.

Bjorkholm is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Lindegaard is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bjorkholm 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.
Lindegaard's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Bjorkholm striking off his back but it's not causing Lindegaard any problems.
Bjorkholm has momentary wrist control but Lindegaard slips an elbow through the middle.
Lindegaard trying to control but Bjorkholm is working from the bottom.
Bjorkholm trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Lindegaard postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Lindegaard trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Lindegaard slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Lindegaard trying to control the position from guard on top but Bjorkholm is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Lindegaard shoots and misses
and Bjorkholm counters with a series of strikes. Lindegaard will be more careful next time no doubt.
Bjorkholm pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bjorkholm moves into range and clinches up with Lindegaard.

Lindegaard gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Bjorkholm regains guard.

Bjorkholm wriggles free and stands up.

Bjorkholm gets a clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Bjorkholm.
Bjorkholm has had enough of the clinch but Lindegaard keeps him there for the moment.
Bjorkholm wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Lindegaard has him pressed against the cage.
Bjorkholm is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bjorkholm doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bjorkholm is trying to push Lindegaard away but Lindegaard has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Lindegaard manages to break the clinch.
Jab by Bjorkholm.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lindegaard motions for Bjorkholm to come forward. Lindegaard throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Bjorkholm throws a right and a left that both miss.
No joy there for Bjorkholm, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lindegaard fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arttu Bjorkholm showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Lindegaard 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Yoel Lindegaard!
A very excited looking Yoel Lindegaard rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.