PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wim Platje (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Cage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Platje comes to the cage accompanied by DIE. Cage has chosen "Can't Be Touched" by Roy Jones Jr. as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Platje
vs
Cage

180 cm
20
250 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

179 cm
20
270 lbs
3 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Prefers ground

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wim Platje!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alexander Cage!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Tiny Johnson and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown by Cage or perhaps it was just good defense by Platje which made him look bad.
Platje wants to clinch up but Cage keeps it at a distance.
Platje could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Platje gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Platje lands an elbow that stopped Cage in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like Alexander Cage has been cut.
Platje tries a knee to the head but Cage blocks it.
Cage blocks the elbow strike.
Cage jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Platje walks away with a smile on his face. Cage gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Platje wants to clinch.
Cage shoots in for a takedown but Platje shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Wim Platje has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Cage.

Platje changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Cage looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Platje working the ground and pound from side control.
Platje working the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Check out the look on Platje's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Cage is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Platje working the ground and pound from side control.
Cage regains half guard.
Platje not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Platje missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Platje thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cage's head.
Platje throwing shots but Cage is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cage wants to control but Platje is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Cage is looking for a sweep. Platje is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Platje shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Platje has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Cage pulls Platje in close to prevent any damage.
Cage looks gassed!
Platje postures up.
Platje working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Platje missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cage is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Platje throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cage works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Platje lands a couple of digs.
Platje tries to free his leg and advance position but Cage is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Platje closes the distance and pushes Cage back into the cage.
Cage drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Platje scores with a knee to the head.
Platje tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Platje lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Platje tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Platje has clasped his hands together around Cage's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Platje working the head and body with strikes.
Cage is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Platje lands a few punches from side control.
Cage taking punishment in the form of punches.
The strikes coming from Platje are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Platje in side control, throwing shots but Cage defends.
Cage is trying to improve his position.
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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Cage tries to clinch up.
Wim Platje seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Platje closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Platje with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Platje prevents Cage from breaking the clinch.
Platje lands an elbow just above Cage 's eye.
Cage dodges an elbow strike from Platje.
Platje landing knees to the body.
Platje can't get the takedown.
Platje looking to throw knees to the head but Cage is blocking nicely.
Platje misses with an elbow strike.
Cage doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Cage working aggressively here.
Platje connects with a knee to the head.
Platje misses with a knee to the head.
Platje looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Cage has Platje pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Platje manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Cage wants to break the clinch but can't.
Platje with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Cage jumps guard but Platje stands there with Cage around his waist. Cage gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Platje lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

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.
Platje gets underhooks to prevent Cage's takedown attempt.
Platje throws an elbow that misses.
Platje creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Cage wants a takedown.
Cage blocks the elbow strike.

Platje gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Platje not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Cage trying to control from the bottom.
Cage avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Platje.
Platje slips a nice elbow through Cage's hands, connecting with Cage's forehead.
Cage avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Platje.
Platje throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cage blocking the ground and pound attempt from Platje.
Cage is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Platje scores with a couple of nice shots.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Platje closes the distance and clinches.
Cage dodges an elbow strike from Platje.
Platje connects with a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wim Platje dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alexander Cage's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Platje moves into range and clinches up with Cage.
Platje tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Platje prevents the takedown attempt.
Platje lands an elbow just above Cage 's eye.
Platje tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Platje misses with an elbow over the top.
Platje misses with a knee strike.
Cage can't find room to land a body shot as Platje controls the action.
Platje throws an elbow but it misses.
Cage tries to pull guard but Platje holds him up against the cage and eventually Cage drops back down to his feet.
Cage can't break the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Platje.
Platje using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cage has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Platje using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cage has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cage tries to pull guard but Platje holds him up against the cage and eventually Cage drops back down to his feet.
Wim Platje has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Cage.
Platje throws an elbow but it misses.
Platje misses with a knee to the head.

Cage pulls Platje into guard.
Cage not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Platje loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Platje working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Cage working a defensive guard here.
Platje postures up in Cage's guard and throws a big left but Cage blocks it.
Cage looking to control.
Platje scoring with punches to the head and body.
Platje working some strikes from top position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Platje drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Platje scoring with punches from side control.
You can see the frustration on Cage's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Platje landing a few strikes.
Platje in side control, throwing shots but Cage defends.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cage struggling a bit here.
Platje in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Platje sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Cage is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Platje lands some shots froms side control.
Cage is trying to improve his position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cage tries to clinch there but Platje circles away.

Platje shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Cage trying to hold on to Platje's head to control him but Platje postures up.
Platje missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Cage on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Platje drops an elbow to the side of Cage's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Platje working Cage over with strikes.
Platje misses with a head shot. Cage uses the momentum to regain guard.
Platje scoring with punches to the head and body.
Platje throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cage works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Platje gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Platje has clasped his hands together around Cage's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Cage avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Platje.
Cage avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Platje.
Cage tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Platje wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Platje lands a nice forearm strike.
Platje tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Platje in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Platje working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Platje working the ground and pound from side control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Cage shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Platje flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Platje throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Platje is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, Cage has taken his back.
Platje rolls, trying to escape but Cage keeps control of the position.
Platje is working hard here to advance position.
Cage tries to get the hooks in deep but Platje pushed the leg off.
Cage doesn't have the hooks in and Platje manages to turn into his guard.
Platje throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wim Platje dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Alexander Cage's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Platje gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Platje with a knee to the head.
Platje misses with a knee strike.
Cage is pressed up against the cage. Platje has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Cage down to the mat. Cage avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Platje tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cage swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Wim Platje is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Platje fails with an attempt to clinch.

Cage gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Cage prevents a takedown attempt there.

Cage drags the fight down to the ground.
Cage has Platje pulled in close to control his posture.
Cage looking to control.
Platje postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Platje here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Cage trying to keep a closed guard but Platje is proving a slippery customer.
Cage pulls Platje in to control the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Platje lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Platje working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Cage preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Platje working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Cage moves into range and clinches up with Platje.
Platje throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cage blocks it with crossed arms.
Platje throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cage blocks it with crossed arms.
Platje pushes off an throws an elbow but Cage leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Platje pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Platje misses with an elbow strike.
Platje looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Platje is trying to drag Cage to the mat but Cage just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wim Platje. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Platje misses with a knee to the head.
Platje throws an elbow that misses.
Platje looking to throw knees to the head but Cage is blocking nicely.
Platje misses with a knee strike.
Platje prevents a takedown attempt there.
Platje with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

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.
Cage dodges an elbow strike from Platje.
Platje lands a knee to the head.
Platje misses with a knee to the head.
Cage tries to score a body lock takedown but Platje shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Platje lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Platje drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Cage gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Cage fails to pull guard.
Platje looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Platje misses with a knee to the head.
Cage has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Platje is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Platje.
Platje misses with an elbow over the top.
Platje lands a knee to the head.
Cage blocks an elbow strike.
Platje misses with a knee strike.
Platje tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Platje tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Cage blocks an elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Platje tries to land a knee to the head but Cage blocks with his arms.
Platje throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Cage tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Platje just stands there and leans against the cage.
Platje lands an elbow that stopped Cage in his tracks for a moment.

Cage pulls guard successfully.
Cage preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Platje postures up and lands a big shot to Cage's brow.
Platje keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Cage's head.
Cage looking to control.
Platje connects with a couple of short punches.
Platje cracks Cage with a solid left hand.
Platje distracts Cage with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Platje's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cage shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Platje defends it nicely.
Cage shoots in but no luck this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Platje looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Platje with a flurry of punches that miss.
Platje chips away with some ground and pound.
Platje working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Cage avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cage preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Cage not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Platje trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Platje prevents Cage from getting back to his feet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Platje darts in and clinches Cage up against the cage.
Platje connects with a knee to the head.
Platje lands a knee to the head.
Cage gets underhooks to prevent Platje's takedown attempt.
Platje tries to land a knee to the head but Cage blocks with his arms.
Alexander Cage has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Platje tries a knee to the head but Cage blocks it.

Cage jumps guard and drags Platje to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wim Platje showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Platje 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wim Platje!