PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Reinis Repss (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Van Dam (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Van Dam will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Repss
vs
Dam

175 cm
22
195 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

188 cm
18
205 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Reinis Repss!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Van Dam!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Fedor Mirinova and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dam misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Repss works the jab nicely.

It looks like Van Dam has been cut.

Dam shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Repss is trying to stand.
Dam wants to pass the guard but Repss is defending well.

Dam is trying to work for a kimura but Repss is defending well.
Repss pushes Dam off looking to stand but Dam dives back in and keeps control.
Dam drops an elbow to the side of Repss's head.
Repss pushes Dam off looking to stand but Dam dives back in and keeps control.

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

Dam gets the takedown into side control.
Dam looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Repss is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Dam lands a few punches from side control.
Repss tries to escape but Dam is in control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dam working the head with strikes.
Dam scoring with punches and elbows.
Dam has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Repss is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Dam looks up at the clock and then as Repss takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Dam smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Dam lands a nice forearm strike.
Dam prevents Repss from escaping the position.
Dam is working Repss over with some ground and pound from side control.
Repss tries to escape but Dam is in control.
Repss takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Repss might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two 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.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Dam fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Reinis Repss has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Van Dam.
Dam misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Reinis Repss is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The fighters circle momentarily. Repss darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Repss throws a good cross that connects.
Dam shoots in for a double leg but Repss sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Repss with a hook.
A punch lands to the side of Repss 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Dam shoots in but no luck this time.
Repss connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Dam's hands.
Repss's corner calls for a 1-2. Repss obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Repss stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Repss wants it to stay on the feet.
Dam takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Dam shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Repss as he jumps to the side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Repss moves into range and connects with a jab.
Repss lands a glancing blow to the side of Dam's head.
Repss jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Horrible takedown by Dam or perhaps it was just good defense by Repss which made him look bad.
Repss connects with a nice looking jab.
Dam tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Repss swivels and escapes.
Some wild striking there from Repss.
Repss connects with a body shot.
Dam has a takedown stuffed.
Repss with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dam shoots in for a takedown but Repss shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nice shot by Repss.
Dam ducks right into an uppercut from Repss.
Repss stuffs the takedown.
Repss works the jab nicely.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Repss.
Repss is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Dam shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Repss works over Dam's head and body with a nice combination.
Dam shoots in but no luck this time.
Horrible takedown by Dam or perhaps it was just good defense by Repss which made him look bad.
A jab from Repss does it's job there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dam dives in and grabs Repss's left leg, looking for a takedown. Repss pushes down on Dam's head and hops out.
Decent striking displayed by Repss there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reinis Repss dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Van Dam's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Dam closes this distance looking for a takedown but Repss circles away.
Dam misses the jab.
Dam dives in and grabs Repss's left leg, looking for a takedown. Repss pushes down on Dam's head and hops out.
Dam takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Dam tries to move into range but Repss moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Dam with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Repss to score with a decent uppercut.
Repss jabs Dam right on the nose. Dam blinks but takes it well.
Dam fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Reinis Repss has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Van Dam.
Dam shoots in and drives through. Repss sprawls well.
Dam looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Dam takes one to the chin there.
Dam takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Dam shoots in but Repss avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Jab, jab by Repss - just one landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Repss.
Dam missing with a left hand there. Repss was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Repss misses with a double jab.
Dam moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

Dam decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Repss on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Repss is looking to escape.
Repss is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Dam scores with a couple of nice shots.
Dam is nestled in close to Repss, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Repss looks like he's trying to stand up.
Dam controlling the action here.
Repss regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Dam.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Repss preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Dam shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Repss as he jumps to the side.
Repss keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Repss lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Repss.

Dam shoots in and bounces Repss off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Dam won't allow Repss to get back to his feet.
Dam lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Dam is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dam working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Dam content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Dam passes Repss's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Repss keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ground and pound from Dam.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Dam lands a nice short elbow.
Dam slips a nice elbow through Repss's hands, connecting with Repss's forehead.
Repss has hold of Dam's hands but Dam slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Dam is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Repss is trying to stand back up but Dam is controlling him
Ground and pound from Dam.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Dam slips under a jab from Repss.
Repss tries a head kick but it misses.
Repss leaves Dam with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Dam shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

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.
Repss leaves Dam with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Repss lands with a right hand.
Repss tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Dam fails with a takedown attempt.
Van Dam seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dam shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dam fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Dam takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Repss lands a lovely overhand right.
Nice straight punches there by Repss. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Repss.
Dam has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

Dam shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Repss's guard.
Dam cracks Repss with a solid left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reinis Repss dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Van Dam's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Dam fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Repss lands the left hand.
Repss lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
No luck for Dam with that takedown attempt.
Dam fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Repss avoids it really well and circles away.
Reinis Repss has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Van Dam.
Repss sizes up Dam with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Repss throws a combination. Dam tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Repss throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Horrible takedown by Dam or perhaps it was just good defense by Repss which made him look bad.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Dam.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Repss lunges at Dam with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Dam's hand.
Repss closes the distance and lands a one-two.
No luck for Dam with that takedown attempt.
Dam takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Dam looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Dam takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Dam feints and as Repss raises his hands in defense, Dam changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Dam is looking to work some ground and pound but Repss has wrist control.
Dam wants to control from the top but Repss keeps moving.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Repss uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dam shoots in and drives through. Repss sprawls well.
Dam fails with the takedown.
Repss keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Dam takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Repss throws a head kick that misses.
Nice sprawl there from Repss as Dam shoots in.
Repss connects with a single shot there.
Repss slaps away a takedown attempt from Dam, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Repss scores with a sloppy right hand. Dam should have avoided that one.
Dam shoots in for a double leg but Repss sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Repss. That snapped Dam's head back.
Repss bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Dam's head backwards.
Dam misses with an uppercut.
A cross from Repss lands.
Dam shoots for a double leg takedown but Repss sprawls well. He's pushed Dam's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Repss lands an overhand right.
Dam walks into a stiff left hand from Repss.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Dam.
Repss keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Dam closes the distance and clinches up with Repss, looking for a takedown. Dam pushes Repss against the cage but Repss circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Dam takes one on the button.
Repss defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Dam.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Repss lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Dam will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Repss connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Reinis Repss is winning the standup battle so far.
Dam takes a jab right on the kisser.
Dam is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Repss.

Dam shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Dam trying to control the position from guard on top but Repss is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dam scoring with some ground and pound.
Dam throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Dam trying to control but Repss is working from the bottom.
Van Dam has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Dam accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Reinis Repss is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Dam throws a big right hand that misses.
Dam throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Repss works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Reinis Repss showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Repss, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Reinis Repss!