PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Phil Gunderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Russ Vanpelten (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gunderson comes to the cage accompanied by Ok Go - This Too Shall Pass. The crowd seem to be enjoying Vanpelten's choice of entrance music: For whom the bell tolls. 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.

Gunderson
vs
Vanpelten

180 cm
24
184 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

170 cm
23
182 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Phil Gunderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Russ Vanpelten!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Patrick Alders and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gunderson misses with a hook. Vanpelten ducked under it nicely.
Vanpelten looks for a takedown but Gunderson sprawls well.
Gunderson stuns Vanpelten with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Vanpelten is looking to clinch.
Vanpelten walks into a left hand.
A slow jab from Vanpelten misses its intended target.
Vanpelten throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Gunderson.

Vanpelten rushes Gunderson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A short left from Gunderson.
Gunderson pushes Vanpelten back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Gunderson blocks an elbow strike.
Gunderson struggles to land a body shot inside as Vanpelten controls his hands.
Vanpelten tries to land knees in the clinch but Gunderson avoids the damage to the body.
Vanpelten tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gunderson scores with a hook to the body.
Gunderson cracks Vanpelten with a nice body shot.
Nice body punch from Gunderson.
Vanpelten looks gassed!
Vanpelten lands a knee to the body.
Vanpelten trying to land knees to the body.
Vanpelten misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Gunderson.
Gunderson lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Vanpelten backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gunderson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gunderson is pushing Vanpelten up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Gunderson lands a body shot.
Gunderson lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Gunderson slows down the pace here.
Gunderson lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Vanpelten or not.
Nice body punch from Gunderson - that landed with a thud.
Gunderson lands an uppercut.
Gunderson lands a body punch.
Gunderson lands a shoulder strike.
A shot in the inside from Gunderson.
Gunderson lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Vanpelten backwards.
A short uppercut from Gunderson.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Gunderson.
Gunderson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Vanpelten being controlled against the cage.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Gunderson for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Gunderson stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gunderson presses Vanpelten against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gunderson lands a body shot.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Gunderson.
A right hand to the body from Gunderson.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Gunderson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Gunderson scores with a nice hook to the head.
Gunderson digs a right hand into Vanpelten's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Vanpelten's gas tank.
Gunderson scores with a shot to the side of Vanpelten's head.
A short uppercut from Gunderson.
Gunderson lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Vanpelten or not.
Nice body punch from Gunderson.

Gunderson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gunderson lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Nice sprawl there from Gunderson as Vanpelten shoots in.
Gunderson connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Vanpelten's hands.
Gunderson lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Gunderson throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Vanpelten on the side of the head.
Donk. Gunderson catches Vanpelten right on the button with a cross.
Gunderson uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vanpelten takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Vanpelten on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Phil Gunderson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vanpelten throws a body kick that misses.
Vanpelten tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gunderson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gunderson is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Gunderson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Vanpelten looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Gunderson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gunderson keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Vanpelten throws a sloppy body shot
and Gunderson counters with a one-two to the body.
Gunderson scores with a hook to the body. Vanpelten takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Vanpelten throws a push kick but Gunderson slaps the foot to one side.
Vanpelten takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Gunderson cracks Vanpelten with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Gunderson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Gunderson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vanpelten tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Gunderson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Vanpelten throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Gunderson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gunderson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Vanpelten can pounce on him.
Vanpelten misses with a few strikes there.
Gunderson jabs at Vanpelten's body.
A head kick by Vanpelten misses
and Gunderson counters with a good low kick that Vanpelten was not able to check.
Gunderson lands a nice hook to Vanpelten's body. Vanpelten takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Gunderson 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.
Gunderson delivers a nice body kick.
Gunderson lands with a right hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vanpelten throws a hook to the side of Gunderson's head but Gunderson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Vanpelten ducks right into an uppercut from Gunderson.
Vanpelten tries to bum rush Gunderson with a series of wild strikes but Gunderson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Phil Gunderson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice jab there from Gunderson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Gunderson lands with a shot to the body.
Gunderson scores with the left hand. Vanpelten knows he should have avoided that one.
Gunderson scores with a kick to the body.
Vanpelten waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gunderson.
Vanpelten on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Gunderson cracks Vanpelten with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Gunderson cracks Vanpelten with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Gunderson looks to score with a jab to the body but Vanpelten is just out of range.
Gunderson misses the shot to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Vanpelten misses the target.
Vanpelten ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Vanpelten tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gunderson misses with a body shot.
Vanpelten fails to land with a series of punches.
A slapping leg kick lands for Gunderson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gunderson scores with a decent looking hook.
Gunderson lands a head shot.
Jab by Gunderson.
Russ Vanpelten is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Vanpelten misses the shot to the body.
Gunderson scores with a sloppy right hand. Vanpelten should have avoided that one.
Gunderson connects with a crisp jab.
Gunderson 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.
Gunderson just misses with a punch to the body.
Vanpelten is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Vanpelten moves out of range of the strikes.
Vanpelten takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Gunderson lands a leg kick that knocks Vanpelten off balance momentarily.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Vanpelten crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Gunderson - the referee stops the clock and Vanpelten gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Gunderson. Vanpelten manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Gunderson is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Gunderson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gunderson moves out of range of the strikes.
Gunderson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Vanpelten.
Gunderson takes a swing at Vanpelten's ribcage but misses.
Vanpelten throws a leg kick that is checked
and Gunderson counters with a left to the body.
Gunderson misses with a straight right.
Vanpelten lands a high kick!
Vanpelten takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Gunderson connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Nice uppercut lands for Gunderson. That snapped Vanpelten's head back.
Vanpelten throws a low kick, looking for Gunderson's leg but Gunderson calmly moves out of range.
A good leg kick by Gunderson.
Gunderson throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Vanpelten is breathing heavily.
Vanpelten takes a swing at Gunderson's ribcage but misses.
Gunderson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Vanpelten on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunderson cracks Vanpelten with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
The fight stays on the outside here - Vanpelten looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gunderson keeps Vanpelten at a distance using the push kick.
Jab from Gunderson.
A slapping body kick lands there for Gunderson.
Vanpelten thows a left - swing and a miss!
Vanpelten takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Vanpelten misses with a looping left.
Gunderson bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Vanpelten has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Gunderson works Vanpelten's body with a nice hook.
Gunderson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Vanpelten.
Vanpelten wants to clinch up but Gunderson keeps it at a distance.
Gunderson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gunderson moves out of range as Vanpelten strikes.
Jab by Gunderson.
Gunderson scores with a punch to the head.
Vanpelten changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Gunderson tries to avoid it but Vanpelten manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Gunderson to the ground. Gunderson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Vanpelten tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Vanpelten slips under a jab.
Phil Gunderson is winning the standup battle so far.
Gunderson checks the leg kick nicely there.
Gunderson lands a body shot.
Vanpelten takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Vanpelten takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Vanpelten tries to clinch up.
The fighters circle momentarily. Gunderson darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Gunderson jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Gunderson scores with a three punch combo!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phil Gunderson 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!

Vanpelten wants to slow Gunderson down by chopping away at his legs.

Vanpelten looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Gunderson!
Gunderson is trying to stand.
Gunderson keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gunderson blocking the ground and pound.
Vanpelten looking to finish with strikes here!
Vanpelten tries to control but Gunderson wriggling away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vanpelten tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Gunderson is in a horrible position here. Vanpelten smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Vanpelten really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gunderson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Gunderson is trying to stand.
Vanpelten connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Vanpelten trying to control but Gunderson is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gunderson somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
No joy there for Gunderson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Vanpelten throws a leg kick but Gunderson sees it coming and moves out of range.
Vanpelten throws a jab but it's blocked by Gunderson.
Gunderson paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Vanpelten tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Gunderson counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Vanpelten throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gunderson's waist but Gunderson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Vanpelten off to one side.
A low kick from Vanpelten misses
and Gunderson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Vanpelten tries to land a leg kick but Gunderson saw it coming and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunderson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Vanpelten at a distance.
Vanpelten with a poor takedown
and Gunderson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A good leg kick by Vanpelten.
Vanpelten scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Vanpelten misses with a combination
and Gunderson counters with a low kick, right behind Vanpelten 's knee.
Gunderson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Vanpelten.
Russ Vanpelten has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jab from Gunderson.
Gunderson throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Vanpelten walks into a jab.
Vanpelten sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Gunderson lands the left hand.
Vanpelten ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gunderson moves away.
Gunderson lands with a nice body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab from Gunderson.
Gunderson with a nice cross.

Vanpelten forces Gunderson back against the cage and clinches.
Gunderson scores with a shoulder strike.
Gunderson digs a right hand into Vanpelten's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Vanpelten's gas tank.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vanpelten.
Gunderson lands a nice uppercut.
Gunderson pushes Vanpelten back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Phil Gunderson has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Gunderson scores with a shot to the side of Vanpelten's head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Gunderson.
Vanpelten misses with an elbow over the top.
Vanpelten pushes off an throws an elbow but Gunderson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Gunderson lands with a right to the head.
Gunderson throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Gunderson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gunderson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Vanpelten can do to turn this around?
Gunderson blocks the elbow strike.
Vanpelten with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Vanpelten misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Gunderson.
Gunderson lands a hook that snaps the head of Vanpelten backwards.
Gunderson pushes Vanpelten back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Phil Gunderson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gunderson will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Vanpelten up against the cage.
Gunderson lands a nice shot to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Phil Gunderson.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gunderson, 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 30:26
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Phil Gunderson!