PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Antti Tuisku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ignaas Zaan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zaan comes into a darkened arena with his song building. In Flames - The Quiet Place kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Tuisku
vs
Zaan

185 cm
25
199 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

185 cm
21
194 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Powerful

Crashforce Voodoo Labs

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 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Antti Tuisku!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ignaas Zaan!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Patrick Alders and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tuisku looks to land a body kick but Zaan moved away.
Tuisku misses with a jab, cross combination.
Tuisku misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Zaan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tuisku.
Tuisku shoots in for a double leg but Zaan sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Tuisku swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tuisku swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tuisku swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tuisku looks to score with a jab to the body but Zaan is just out of range.
Tuisku rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Zaan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Zaan looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Tuisku trying to control the position.

Zaan decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Tuisku, up you get!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuisku doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Zaan counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Zaan seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

Zaan decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Tuisku throws a left and a right that both miss

and Zaan counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Zaan.
Tuisku is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Tuisku is breathing heavily.
Tuisku is adopting a defensive guard.
Tuisku is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Zaan must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tuisku wants to sweep here but Zaan controlling him for the moment.
Tuisku wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Zaan trying to stand up but can't free himself from Tuisku's guard.
Tuisku controls Zaan momentarily but Zaan frees himself.
Tuisku wants to get back to his feet but Zaan is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

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.
Tuisku falls off balance throwing a combination

and Zaan counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Zaan stopping the sweep attempt from Tuisku.
Zaan postures up.
Zaan won't allow Tuisku to get back to his feet.
Tuisku tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zaan gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Zaan avoids a punch combination nicely.
Zaan blocks a jab.
Tuisku misses with a combination

and Zaan counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Zaan won't allow Tuisku to get back to his feet.
Zaan wants to stand but Tuisku has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tuisku working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ignaas Zaan dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Zaan shoots in but no luck this time.
A jab from Tuisku misses.
Nice takedown defense from Tuisku. No joy for Zaan on that attempt.
Tuisku defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zaan.
Antti Tuisku has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ignaas Zaan.
Tuisku throws a big shot that misses.
Tuisku throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Zaan counters with a single leg into guard. Tuisku didn't expect that.

Tuisku working for a triangle but Zaan defends it easily.

Zaan gets to his feet - Tuisku follows without any prompting.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuisku throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Zaan shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tuisku shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Zaan counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Tuisku is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Tuisku uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Tuisku throws a body punch but Zaan moves out of range.
Tuisku throws a left and a right that both miss

so Zaan counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Tuisku working a defensive guard but Zaan manages to pass into side control anyway.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zaan stands up.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zaan closes the distance and clinches up with Tuisku, looking for a takedown. Zaan pushes Tuisku against the cage but Tuisku circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Tuisku misses with a double jab

and Zaan counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Tuisku is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Zaan defends well.
Tuisku trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tuisku working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Zaan doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Zaan manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Zaan stands up from Tuisku's guard - Zaan perhaps looking for a knockout.
A jab from Tuisku misses.
Tuisku misses with a combination

and Zaan counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tuisku pushes Zaan off looking to stand but Zaan dives back in and keeps control.

Tuisku is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Zaan pulls his head out easily.

Zaan stands up out of the half guard.
Tuisku with a lazy takedown attempt

and Zaan counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Zaan prevents Tuisku from improving his position.
Zaan has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tuisku is trying to stand up here but Zaan is controlling him well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ignaas Zaan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Zaan shoots in and drives through. Tuisku sprawls well.
Tuisku misses with a combination

and Zaan counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Tuisku!
Tuisku really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Tuisku wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Tuisku prevents Zaan from getting a body triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tuisku tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

Zaan is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuisku falls off balance throwing a combination

and Zaan counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Zaan avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Zaan gets to his feet. Tuisku looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Zaan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tuisku swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Tuisku misses with a combination

and Zaan counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaan prevents Tuisku from standing back up.

Zaan decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Zaan closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Tuisku did well to prevent Zaan getting side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tuisku wants to get back to his feet.

Zaan decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Zaan decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Tuisku kicks Zaan off and gets back to his feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zaan.
Zaan ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zaan darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Tuisku looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ignaas Zaan has got the better of the ground game so far.

Tuisku makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

Zaan gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Tuisku to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Zaan keeping moving, preventing Tuisku from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaan is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Tuisku drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Zaan manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Tuisku has Zaan in his guard.
Zaan won't allow Tuisku to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ignaas Zaan really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Zaan misses with a takedown attempt - Tuisku sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Zaan shoots in for a takedown but Tuisku shows good takedown defense.
Tuisku defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zaan.
Antti Tuisku has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ignaas Zaan.
Tuisku misses with a double jab

and Zaan counters with a single leg into guard. Tuisku didn't expect that.
Tuisku looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zaan is one step ahead there.
Zaan wanted to stand there but Tuisku had control of the position.
Tuisku wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuisku is working hard here to advance position.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Zaan wanted to stand there but Tuisku had control of the position.
Zaan stops Tuisku from standing up.

That's two 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.

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

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A telegraphed right hand from Tuisku misses the target.
Zaan ducks under a wild hook from Tuisku.
Zaan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tuisku throws out the jab.
Tuisku falls off balance throwing a combination

and Zaan counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Zaan.
Zaan wants to get up but he can't break Tuisku's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zaan preventing the sweep.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaan fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Tuisku avoids it really well and circles away.
Tuisku tries for a takedown but Zaan circles away easily

and Zaan counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Zaan stands up from Tuisku's guard - Zaan perhaps looking for a knockout.

Zaan changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Tuisku looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Tuisku tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Zaan not allowing Tuisku to control his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tuisku can't escape the position.
Tuisku holding both Zaan 's hands and preventing any damage.
Tuisku wants to control his opponent's hands but Zaan gets his hands free.
Tuisku trying to get back to his feet but Zaan is in full control for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ignaas Zaan dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Zaan shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Tuisku pinned against the cage. Tuisku gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
The fighters circling - Tuisku throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tuisku misses with a combination

so Zaan counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Zaan has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Tuisku is proving hard to escape from.
Tuisku is looking to sweep but instead, Zaan has passed into half guard.
Zaan is thwarting Tuisku's attempts to control the position.
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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuisku tries to kick Zaan off in order to stand up. Zaan Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.

Zaan decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Tuisku throws a series of punches but Zaan avoids them all with ease.
Tuisku throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zaan sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tuisku slaps away a takedown attempt from Zaan, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Tuisku doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Zaan counters with a shoot takedown. Tuisku fights it but they end up in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zaan stands and steps away. Tuisku gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Tuisku displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Zaan.
Antti Tuisku has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ignaas Zaan.
Zaan fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Tuisku throws a jab when Zaan was well out of range.
Antti Tuisku is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tuisku throws a left and a right that both miss

and Zaan counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Tuisku!
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!
Tuisku keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Tuisku is trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tuisku can't escape the position.
Tuisku looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Zaan really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Tuisku. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Tuisku is really stuck here.
Tuisku holding both Zaan 's hands and preventing any damage.
Zaan keeps control of the position easily here as Tuisku tries to buck him off.
Tuisku looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Antti Tuisku has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
Zaan 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.
Tuisku has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Zaan has good solid back control here.
Tuisku wants to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ignaas Zaan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Zaan 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 44:50
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 44:50
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 44:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ignaas Zaan!
Ignaas Zaan is the new middleweight champion!