PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jean Claude Van Damme (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Hatfield (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Claude Van Damme
vs
Hatfield

186 cm
22
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

167 cm
20
152 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Good elbows
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jean Claude Van Damme!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Paul Hatfield!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Wesley Smith and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hatfield is trying hard to land a takedown here. Van Damme sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hatfield looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hatfield swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hatfield shoots in looking for a takedown. Van Damme tries to sprawl out of it but Hatfield keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Van Damme manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Jean Claude Van Damme has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paul Hatfield.
Van Damme ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Van Damme really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Van Damme avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Hatfield. Van Damme shrugs it off though.
Hatfield misses with a series of wild punches.
Hatfield bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Van Damme shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hatfield but Hatfield pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Van Damme throws a series of punches but Hatfield avoids them all with ease.
No joy there for Van Damme, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Van Damme.
Van Damme swings for the body but Hatfield moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Damme tries for a takedown but Hatfield circles away easily
letting Hatfield counter with a right hand.
Van Damme is breathing heavily.
Hatfield tries for a takedown but Van Damme circles away easily

and Van Damme counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Hatfield's guard now.
Van Damme trying to control the position from guard on top but Hatfield is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Van Damme won't allow Hatfield to sweep him here.
Hatfield controls Van Damme momentarily but Van Damme frees himself.
Van Damme wants to control from the top but Hatfield keeps moving.

Van Damme is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hatfield bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Van Damme's guard.
Hatfield wants to control from the top but Van Damme keeps moving.
Hatfield stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Van Damme swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Van Damme is trying to keep Hatfield in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hatfield wants to pass the guard but Van Damme is keeping the position.
Hatfield postures up.
Hatfield trying to control but Van Damme is working from the bottom.

Van Damme is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hatfield trying to stall but Van Damme improves his position.

Van Damme pulls guard effortlessly.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hatfield scoring with punches to the head and body.

Van Damme scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Hatfield is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Van Damme moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Hatfield closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Van Damme did well to prevent Hatfield getting side control.
Van Damme trying to control from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jean Claude Van Damme dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Van Damme shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hatfield pinned against the cage. Hatfield gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hatfield misses with a takedown attempt

and Van Damme moves into the clinch.
Hatfield creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Van Damme's defenses.
Van Damme stops a takedown attempt from Hatfield.

Van Damme ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Van Damme no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Van Damme keeping moving, preventing Hatfield from controlling successfully.
Hatfield wants to get up but he can't break Van Damme's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Van Damme uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Hatfield has his takedown stuffed
and Van Damme counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Jean Claude Van Damme has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paul Hatfield.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Van Damme lands a jab-cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hatfield closes the distance but Van Damme moves to the side

and Van Damme counters with a takedown into side control.
Hatfield is trying to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hatfield dodges the ground and pound from Van Damme.
Van Damme working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Hatfield tries to strike but it doesn't land.
Van Damme just content to control the position.

Van Damme tries for a kimura but Hatfield is defending well.
Hatfield really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Van Damme. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hatfield regains half guard, as Van Damme was trying to land strikes.
Hatfield punching from the bottom.
Van Damme looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Hatfield with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Van Damme trying to pass the guard but Hatfield defending well.

Van Damme is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Hatfield defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hatfield is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Van Damme pulls his head out easily.
Van Damme wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hatfield keeps working.
Hatfield trying to control here.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Van Damme misses with the combination.
Hatfield tries to clinch up.
Hatfield throws a leg kick but Van Damme sees it coming and moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Van Damme looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Hatfield controlling Van Damme's posture.
Van Damme trying to control but Hatfield is working from the bottom.
Hatfield is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hatfield looking for a sweep. Not yet Hatfield, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jean Claude Van Damme dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Van Damme jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Van Damme shoots in but Hatfield avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Hatfield throws a sloppy head kick and Van Damme moves out of range easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Hatfield misses the target.
Van Damme takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Hatfield tries to clinch up.
Hatfield turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

Hatfield drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hatfield tries to stand but Van Damme is controlling from the bottom.
Van Damme working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hatfield.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hatfield wants to control from the top but Van Damme keeps moving.
Hatfield with a flurry of punches that miss.
Van Damme looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hatfield is one step ahead there.
Van Damme keeping moving, preventing Hatfield from controlling successfully.

Hatfield drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Van Damme dives on top into 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.
Van Damme throws a big right hand that misses.
Van Damme wants to pass the guard but Hatfield is keeping the position.
Van Damme trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Hatfield manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Van Damme wants to stand and escape but Hatfield is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hatfield wanted to stand there but Van Damme had control of the position.
Van Damme wants to sweep here but Hatfield controlling him for the moment.

Van Damme uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Hatfield tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Van Damme swivels and escapes.
Van Damme fails with a takedown attempt.
Hatfield looks for a takedown but Van Damme sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Van Damme fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jean Claude Van Damme. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hatfield tries to clinch

and Van Damme counters with a takedown into side control.

Van Damme thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Van Damme taking a breather here.
Van Damme trying to control the position but Hatfield is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Jean Claude Van Damme did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's time! Van Damme's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hatfield doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Van Damme counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Hatfield's guard now.
Van Damme passes Hatfield's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Hatfield is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hatfield has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Van Damme is working away from the top position though.

Van Damme stands up and beckons Hatfield to join him on the feet.

Van Damme clinches with his opponent.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Hatfield leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hatfield wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Van Damme tries to score a body lock takedown but Hatfield shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Hatfield is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Van Damme is defending well for now.

Van Damme gets control of Hatfield's arms and successfully pulls guard. Van Damme will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Hatfield preventing the sweep.
Hatfield must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Hatfield wants to control from the top but Van Damme keeps moving.

Van Damme looking for a guillotine here but Hatfield defends easily.
Van Damme keeping moving, preventing Hatfield from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Hatfield looking to sit in guard and control but Van Damme gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Van Damme stopping the sweep attempt from Hatfield.

Hatfield has his foot on Van Damme's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Van Damme works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Damme thows a big elbow that misses.
Van Damme postures up.
Hatfield looking to hit a scissor sweep but Van Damme is one step ahead there.
Hatfield is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

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

Van Damme pushes Hatfield up against the cage in a clinch.
Hatfield has Van Damme pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Van Damme manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Hatfield looking for a takedown.
Jean Claude Van Damme has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paul Hatfield.

Van Damme's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Van Damme with a jab.
Hatfield dodges the punch combination from Van Damme.
Hatfield pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hatfield is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
No joy there for Hatfield, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Van Damme shoots in but Hatfield avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Van Damme with a poor takedown

so Hatfield counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Hatfield throws and elbow that misses. Van Damme uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hatfield's guard. Nice move by Van Damme!
Van Damme distracts Hatfield with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jean Claude Van Damme had his way with Paul Hatfield in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hatfield is defended easily by Van Damme.
Hatfield misses with a double jab.
Hatfield with a lazy takedown attempt

and Van Damme counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Hatfield!
Hatfield is looking to get to half guard.
Van Damme is landing with some decent strikes but Hatfield is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Hatfield tries to improve his position but instead Van Damme has taken his back!
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.

Van Damme working for a choke but Hatfield is defending well.
Van Damme gets his hands free as Hatfield looks to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hatfield wants to get back to his feet. He's half way up but Van Damme drags him back down with a jolt, managing to get his forearm deep under Hatfield 's chin! Hatfield is in real trouble! His face is turning bright red and he's forced to tap! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:31 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Jean Claude Van Damme!
Jean Claude Van Damme is the new featherweight champion!