PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pelle Larsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Neil Samuelson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Pelle Larsson has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Larsson
vs
Samuelson

188 cm
18
205 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

172 cm
22
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Pelle Larsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Neil Samuelson!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Larsson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Samuelson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Samuelson takes the fight into the clinch.
Larsson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Larsson tries to stall but Samuelson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Larsson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Samuelson.

Samuelson gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Samuelson looking for a submission but Larsson manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
Samuelson is pushing down on Larsson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Larsson is fighting to maintain full guard but Samuelson has managed to sneak the leg through.
Samuelson wants to control but Larsson is keeping him busy.
Samuelson is nestled in close to Larsson, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Samuelson performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Samuelson trying to control the action but Larsson is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larsson works his way to full guard. Good work.
Larsson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Larsson keeping moving, preventing Samuelson from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Samuelson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Larsson keeping moving, preventing Samuelson from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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

Samuelson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two 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.
Samuelson keeping full guard, as Larsson tries to pass.
Samuelson wants to sweep here but Larsson controlling him for the moment.
Samuelson controls Larsson momentarily but Larsson frees himself.
Larsson is stalling in the full guard.
Samuelson working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Samuelson looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Larsson has picked Samuelson up and slammed him! Samuelson can't keep hold of the triangle and Larsson manages to pass to side control!
Larsson working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Samuelson is trying to control Larsson's posture but Larsson avoids it.
Samuelson gets back to half guard.
Samuelson slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Larsson gets to his feet. Samuelson looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Samuelson misses with a head kick.
Samuelson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Samuelson has managed to clinch.

Samuelson pulls guard successfully.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Samuelson is on top in guard.
Samuelson throwing strikes but missing.
Samuelson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Samuelson pushes down on Larsson's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Samuelson in particular looking to stall.
Samuelson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Larsson defending well though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Neil Samuelson dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Samuelson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Larsson pinned against the cage. Larsson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Samuelson circles away from the clinch attempt

and Samuelson counters by clinching up.
Samuelson is trying to break the clinch but Larsson has him pressed against the cage.
Samuelson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Larsson prevents it.
Larsson is trying to stall.
Samuelson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Larsson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Pelle Larsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Neil Samuelson.
Larsson tries to land knees in the clinch but Samuelson avoids the damage to the body.
Samuelson keeps control of Larsson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Samuelson jumps guard but Larsson stands there with Samuelson around his waist. Samuelson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Samuelson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Larsson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Larsson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Samuelson is breathing heavily.
Samuelson managing to block the knees to the body from Larsson.

Larsson breaks the clinch.
Larsson wants to clinch
and Samuelson counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larsson looks to clinch

and Samuelson counters by clinching up.
Larsson tries to stall but Samuelson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Samuelson avoiding damage as Larsson throws knees to the body.
Larsson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Samuelson.
Samuelson managing to block the knees to the body from Larsson.
Samuelson fails to pull guard.
Larsson keeps control of Samuelson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Larsson missing with knees to the body.
Larsson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Samuelson.
Larsson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Larsson just leaning against Samuelson, taking a breather.

Samuelson has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Larsson regains guard immediately.
Larsson lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Samuelson!
Samuelson is in all sorts of trouble here.
Samuelson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Samuelson tries to reverse the position but Larsson maintains control.
Larsson controlling from the full mount.
Samuelson is trying to escape the mount.
Samuelson wants to control but Larsson is having none of it.
Samuelson manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Samuelson manages to get to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samuelson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Samuelson throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Samuelson wants to improve his position but instead Larsson has moved into half guard.
Samuelson gets full guard.
Larsson won't allow Samuelson to sweep him here.
Samuelson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Larsson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Larsson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Samuelson wants to sweep but no luck.

Samuelson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Larsson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Larsson won't allow Samuelson to sweep him here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Larsson swats away the attempt to clinch by Samuelson.
Larsson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Samuelson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Neil Samuelson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Samuelson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Samuelson blocks the body kick.
Larsson connects with a high kick.
Larsson tries to grapple but his opponent circles

so Samuelson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Larsson looking to control.
Samuelson throwing strikes but missing.
Samuelson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Neil Samuelson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Samuelson tries to free his leg and advance position but Larsson is retaining full guard.
Samuelson trying to control but Larsson is working from the bottom.
Samuelson thows a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samuelson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Samuelson stopping the sweep attempt from Larsson.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Larsson wants to clinch but Samuelson slips to the side

and Samuelson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Samuelson.
Samuelson wants to control from the top but Larsson keeps moving.
Larsson wants to get back to his feet but Samuelson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Samuelson is looking to work some ground and pound but Larsson has wrist control.
Samuelson tries to free his leg and advance position but Larsson is retaining full guard.
Samuelson forces his way into half guard.
Samuelson lands with a punch from half guard.

Samuelson is trying to work for a kimura but Larsson is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Samuelson working over Larsson with some ground and pound. Larsson looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Samuelson controlling the action here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Samuelson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Samuelson is stalling here. Larsson is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Samuelson seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Larsson has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Samuelson is looking to regain half guard here but Larsson keeps moving and retains side control.
Samuelson is trying to control Larsson's posture but Larsson avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samuelson tries to improve position but can't.
Samuelson gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Larsson trying to control from half guard but Samuelson is working away.
Samuelson is looking for a sweep. Larsson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Samuelson misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Samuelson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Samuelson shoots in and bounces Larsson off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Larsson can't keep his opponent in guard - Samuelson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Samuelson controlling the pace.

Samuelson is looking for a kimura but Larsson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Samuelson to get the leverage.
Samuelson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Samuelson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Larsson's head.
Larsson wants to get back to his feet.
Samuelson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Larsson is trying to stand.
Pelle Larsson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Samuelson throwing shots but Larsson is blocking nicely.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Larsson tries to land a body kick

and Samuelson counters by moving into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Neil Samuelson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Samuelson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Neil Samuelson!