PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dirk Schaeffer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Velimir Rasic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Schaeffer
vs
Rasic

175 cm
20
175 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

170 cm
25
170 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dirk Schaeffer!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Velimir Rasic!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Wagner Zegers and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rasic shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Rasic thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Rasic wants to take his opponent's back but Schaeffer doesn't allow it.

Rasic goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Schaeffer turns into him and now he's in Rasic's guard.
Schaeffer wants to control from the top but Rasic keeps moving.
Schaeffer wants to pass the guard but Rasic is keeping the position.

Rasic is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Schaeffer is aware though and is defending well.
Rasic wants to sweep here but Schaeffer controlling him for the moment.
Rasic not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rasic keeping full guard, as Schaeffer tries to pass.

Rasic has his foot on Schaeffer's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Schaeffer works his way back into a safe position though.
Rasic lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Schaeffer!

Rasic is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Schaeffer has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Schaeffer!
Schaeffer slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Schaeffer tries to move into full mount but can't pass Rasic's legs.
Rasic is looking to reverse the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schaeffer wants to control but Rasic is keeping him busy.
Rasic tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rasic is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Schaeffer tries to advance to mount but can't.
Rasic tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Schaeffer wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rasic manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Rasic thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Schaeffer to regain full guard.

Rasic is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Schaeffer is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Schaeffer has escaped and now he's on top!
Rasic looks gassed!
Rasic is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Schaeffer regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Rasic.
Rasic scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Rasic pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Schaeffer is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rasic working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rasic looking to pass the guard.
Rasic missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rasic postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Rasic drops back, looking for a kneebar! Schaeffer looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Schaeffer looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Schaeffer!
Rasic tries to improve position but can't.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Schaeffer working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Rasic manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Rasic looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Schaeffer seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rasic does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Rasic wants to get back to full guard.
Rasic regains full guard. Nicely done.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Rasic is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Schaeffer preventing the sweep.

Rasic has his foot on Schaeffer's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Schaeffer works his way back into a safe position though.
Schaeffer is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Schaeffer trying to control but Rasic is working from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Schaeffer stopping the sweep attempt from Rasic.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rasic is on top in guard.
Rasic stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Schaeffer swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Rasic has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Schaeffer can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rasic is on top in guard.
Schaeffer keeping full guard, as Rasic tries to pass.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Rasic trying to control the position from guard on top but Schaeffer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Schaeffer utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Rasic looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Schaeffer wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rasic keeps working.
Rasic regains full guard. Nicely done.

Rasic looking for subs off his back but Schaeffer has passed one foot through into half guard.
Rasic manages to get to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Velimir Rasic will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rasic closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Rasic missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Rasic is pressing down on Schaeffer's thigh, looking to free his foot. Schaeffer is holding on for now.

Rasic is working for a submission of some sort.
Rasic is just content to waste time from the top position. Schaeffer takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schaeffer keeping moving, preventing Rasic from controlling successfully.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Rasic looking to hit a scissor sweep but Schaeffer is one step ahead there.
Rasic bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Schaeffer's guard.
Rasic throws a strike but Schaeffer rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Rasic trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Rasic trying to control the position.

Schaeffer drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Schaeffer jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Rasic is pulling down on Schaeffer's head. It's preventing any offense from Schaeffer, at least for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rasic escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Schaeffer gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Schaeffer preventing the sweep.
Schaeffer slips nicely into half guard.

Rasic is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Schaeffer pulls his head out easily.
Schaeffer passes the guard and advances to mount!
Rasic regains half guard.
Rasic manages to get to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schaeffer wants to control from the top but Rasic keeps moving.
Rasic is looking to stand up but Schaeffer isn't so interested in that idea.
Schaeffer won't allow Rasic to sweep him here.

Rasic looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Schaeffer won't allow Rasic to sweep him here.

Rasic looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Rasic throws his legs up looking for a submission but Schaeffer uses it to pass to side control.
Schaeffer moves into full mount!

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Rasic is controlling an arm, preventing Schaeffer from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Rasic is in all sorts of trouble here.
Rasic manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Rasic wants to improve his position but Schaeffer is controlling well.
Schaeffer is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Rasic!
Rasic stops Schaeffer from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Rasic is squirming around, avoiding Schaeffer's attempts to control the action.
Schaeffer thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Rasic tries to lock up and control but Schaeffer gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Rasic can't escape the position.
Rasic manages to regain half guard. Good work.
The fighters are battling for position here. Rasic manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Rasic looking to hit a scissor sweep but Schaeffer is one step ahead there.

Rasic had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Schaeffer defends it easily.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Schaeffer avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Rasic working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Schaeffer doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Schaeffer manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rasic is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Rasic looking for a guillotine here but Schaeffer defends easily.
Schaeffer seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's eight 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.
Schaeffer throws a big right hand that misses.
Rasic looking to control.

Rasic working for a triangle but Schaeffer defends it easily.
Rasic looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Schaeffer slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Schaeffer avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Schaeffer wants to control from the top but Rasic keeps moving.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Schaeffer got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rasic has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Schaeffer has managed to get both his arms back between Rasic's legs - danger averted.

Rasic looking for a guillotine here but Schaeffer defends easily.
Schaeffer advances to half guard.
Schaeffer looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Rasic is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Schaeffer pulls his head out easily.
Schaeffer trying to control the action but Rasic is working from the bottom.
Rasic wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Velimir Rasic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Schaeffer gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Rasic counters with a single leg into guard. Schaeffer didn't expect that.

Rasic is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Schaeffer is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Schaeffer has escaped and now he's on top!

Rasic looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Schaeffer pushing down on Rasic's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Velimir Rasic has got the better of the ground game so far.
Schaeffer throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Schaeffer wants to control but Rasic is keeping him busy.
Rasic wants to get back to full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Schaeffer trying to control from half guard but Rasic is working away.

Rasic looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Schaeffer is trying to control. Rasic wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rasic moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Rasic bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Schaeffer's guard.
Rasic looking to pass the guard.
Schaeffer wants to sweep but no luck.
Rasic pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Schaeffer is keeping the position for now.

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.

Rasic 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.

Rasic postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Schaeffer is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Rasic, into his guard.
Rasic keeping moving, preventing Schaeffer from controlling successfully.
Rasic trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rasic avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rasic looking for a sweep. Not yet Rasic, not yet.
Rasic keeping full guard, as Schaeffer tries to pass.
Rasic looking to hit a scissor sweep but Schaeffer is one step ahead there.
Rasic looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Rasic wants to sweep but no luck.

Schaeffer avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

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.
Schaeffer trying to control but Rasic is working from the bottom.
Rasic trying to control the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Rasic working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Schaeffer doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Schaeffer manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rasic wants to sweep but no luck.
Schaeffer trying to control the position from guard on top but Rasic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Schaeffer controls from within his opponent's guard.
Schaeffer postures up.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Rasic is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Schaeffer tries to free his leg and advance position but Rasic is retaining full guard.
Rasic keeping moving, preventing Schaeffer from controlling successfully.

Rasic is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rasic looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Rasic is looking for a triangle but Schaeffer pushes his legs off easily.
Schaeffer stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rasic swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rasic is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's six 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.

Rasic looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Schaeffer has picked Rasic up and slammed him! Rasic can't keep hold of the triangle and Schaeffer manages to pass to side control!
Rasic is looking for a sweep.
Schaeffer wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rasic keeps working.
Rasic is looking for a sweep.
Rasic stops Schaeffer from passing to mount.
Rasic can't do much from the bottom here.
Schaeffer wants to control but Rasic is keeping him busy.
Rasic gets back to half guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Rasic is trying to control but can't.
Schaeffer frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Schaeffer can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rasic is looking to escape.
Rasic gets back to half guard.

Rasic is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Schaeffer pulls his head out easily.
Rasic is looking for a sweep. Schaeffer is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rasic tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Schaeffer has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Schaeffer sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Rasic is looking to improve his position but Schaeffer isn't that keen on the idea.
Velimir Rasic is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rasic tries to lock up and control but Schaeffer gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Rasic is in all sorts of trouble here.
Schaeffer tries to control but Rasic wriggling away.
Schaeffer controlling from mount.
Rasic controls the position.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Rasic is wriggling around trying to escape.
Rasic sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Rasic slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Schaeffer working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Rasic had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Schaeffer defends it easily.
Schaeffer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rasic is keeping the position for now.
Rasic wants to sweep here but Schaeffer controlling him for the moment.

Rasic looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

And that's the end of the fight!
Velimir Rasic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rasic has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Velimir Rasic!
Velimir Rasic is the new welterweight champion!