PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joppe Pilgren (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wandy Rutten (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pilgren comes to the cage accompanied by stolt o stark. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Pilgren
vs
Rutten

190 cm
19
205 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

188 cm
23
218 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Joppe Pilgren!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Wandy Rutten!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Paul Aken and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Pilgren looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Pilgren shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Rutten trying to control here.
Pilgren is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Rutten is trying to stand up here but Pilgren is controlling him well.

Pilgren is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Rutten sees it coming and defends easily.
Rutten wants to get back to his feet.

Pilgren is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Rutten has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Pilgren is working away from the top position though.
Rutten tries to kick Pilgren off but Pilgren keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Pilgren is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rutten doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Pilgren.

Rutten is defending against the submission attempts here by Pilgren.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rutten trying to hold on to Pilgren's head to control him but Pilgren postures up.
Pilgren drops an elbow to the side of Rutten's head.
Pilgren winds up and cracks Rutten with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Pilgren stands up out of the half guard.
Pilgren shoots in for a double leg but Rutten sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Rutten misses with a body kick.
Rutten closes this distance looking for a takedown but Pilgren circles away.
Pilgren looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rutten is fending him off so far but Pilgren persists. Nope, Rutten circles away and we're back to standing.
Pilgren checks a low kick from Rutten.
Pilgren throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rutten's waist but Rutten gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Pilgren off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joppe Pilgren. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pilgren tries for a takedown but Rutten sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pilgren shoots in but no luck this time.
Rutten misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Rutten gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Pilgren knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rutten on the ground.
Pilgren landing with the ground and pound.

Rutten looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rutten looks gassed!
Pilgren stops Rutten from standing up.

Pilgren is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Rutten is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Rutten has escaped and now he's on top!
Rutten trying to stand up but can't free himself from Pilgren's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pilgren working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rutten doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rutten manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Pilgren pulls Rutten in close to prevent any damage.
Rutten trying to stand up but can't free himself from Pilgren's guard.

Pilgren is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

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.
Rutten would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Pilgren avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rutten throwing strikes from guard but Pilgren blocks nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Pilgren is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Pilgren has a closed guard, preventing Rutten from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joppe Pilgren dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Pilgren has managed to clinch.
Rutten prevents Pilgren from breaking the clinch.
Pilgren has had enough of the clinch but Rutten keeps him there for the moment.

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

Rutten drops back, looking for a kneebar! Pilgren looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Pilgren looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Pilgren!
Pilgren is working Rutten over with some ground and pound from side control.

Pilgren wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rutten, who protects the arm well.
Rutten is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Pilgren has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Pilgren lands a decent elbow from side control.
Rutten manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Pilgren is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rutten has managed to free his arm - good work.

Pilgren is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rutten is just riding it out for now. Pilgren eventually gives up the hold.
Rutten is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pilgren decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

Pilgren closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Pilgren lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

Pilgren is trying to get an arm triangle but Rutten is defending well.

Pilgren is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rutten has escaped the position, nice work there.
Pilgren cracks Rutten with a big right hand but Rutten just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

Pilgren wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rutten, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rutten tries to bench press Pilgren off him but Pilgren keeps the position.
Pilgren working the head and body with strikes.

Pilgren is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rutten has escaped the position, nice work there.
Rutten wants to control but Pilgren postures up.

Pilgren is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rutten has escaped the position, nice work there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Pilgren is trying to get an arm triangle but Rutten is defending well.
Rutten sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Pilgren is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pilgren is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Pilgren is looking for a kimura here.

Pilgren is looking for a kimura but Rutten is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Pilgren to get the leverage.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Pilgren prevents Rutten from improving his position.
Rutten slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Pilgren passes Rutten's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

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.

Pilgren is working for a kimura but Rutten is defending it quite comfortably.
Ground and pound from Pilgren.

Pilgren wants to work for an arm triangle but Rutten is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Rutten is looking to escape.
Pilgren lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Pilgren missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Pilgren is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Pilgren decides to stand and escape the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pilgren changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rutten tries to avoid it but Pilgren manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rutten to the ground. Rutten escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joppe Pilgren dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Pilgren scores with a takedown into Rutten's guard.
Pilgren looking to pass the guard.

Pilgren drops back looking for a leg! Rutten is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Rutten manages to kick Pilgren off! Pilgren jumps back into Rutten's guard.
Pilgren pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rutten is keeping the position for now.

Pilgren drops back looking for a leg! Rutten is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Rutten manages to kick Pilgren off! Pilgren jumps back into Rutten's guard.
Pilgren makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Pilgren looking to pass the guard.

Rutten looking for a guillotine here but Pilgren defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rutten is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rutten takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rutten doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Pilgren distracts Rutten with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Pilgren postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Rutten is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Pilgren, into his guard.
Rutten is looking to work some ground and pound but Pilgren has wrist control.

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.
Pilgren wants to stand and escape but Rutten is having none of it.
Rutten throws a strike but Pilgren rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Pilgren trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pilgren prevents Rutten from getting back to his feet.
Pilgren working some strikes from top position.
Pilgren scoring with some ground and pound.
Rutten is looking to stand up but Pilgren isn't so interested in that idea.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Pilgren's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Pilgren thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Pilgren throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Pilgren lands a couple of elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pilgren 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.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Pilgren's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Pilgren is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Joppe Pilgren is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rutten wants to stand and escape but Pilgren is having none of it.
Pilgren looking to pass the guard.
Pilgren trying to control the position from guard on top but Rutten is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pilgren is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Pilgren gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Pilgren throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rutten's waist but Rutten gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Pilgren off to one side.

Pilgren gets a clinch.
Rutten can't break the clinch.
Rutten has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pilgren has Rutten pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rutten manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Pilgren prevents Rutten from breaking the clinch.
Rutten wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rutten misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Pilgren.
Rutten working hard to break the clinch.
Rutten with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Pilgren tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joppe Pilgren. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pilgren tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Rutten just stands there and leans against the cage.
Pilgren wants a takedown.
Pilgren is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rutten gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Pilgren is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rutten is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Pilgren pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Pilgren wants to break the clinch but can't.
Pilgren goes for a takedown attempt but Rutten pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Rutten doesn't manage to clinch there - Pilgren circles away.
Wandy Rutten has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Pilgren rushes Rutten and presses him up against the cage.
Rutten is looking to break free of the clinch but Pilgren has double underhooks.
Pilgren on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rutten prevents a takedown attempt there.
Rutten keeps control of Pilgren as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joppe Pilgren showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Pilgren, 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 30:27
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joppe Pilgren!