PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jan Modaal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Prince Symbol (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Modaal comes to the cage accompanied by damage plan - new found power. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Modaal
vs
Symbol

175 cm
27
195 lbs
7 - 6 - 1

150 cm
28
196 lbs
17 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Jan Modaal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Prince Symbol!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Steve Erwin and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Modaal throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Symbol was covering up waiting for the punch and Modaal finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Symbol looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Symbol pulls Modaal in close to prevent any damage.
Modaal passes Symbol's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Symbol is refusing to be controlled, as Modaal sits in half guard.
Modaal thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Modaal seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Symbol does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Symbol manages to get to full guard.
Modaal postures up in Symbol's guard and throws a big left but Symbol blocks it.
Modaal wants to control from the top but Symbol keeps moving.
Modaal will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Symbol looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Modaal wants to control from the top but Symbol keeps moving.
Modaal has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Modaal pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Symbol is keeping the position for now.
Modaal throwing strikes from guard but Symbol blocks nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Modaal throws a strike but Symbol rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Modaal is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Symbol is aware though and is defending well.
Modaal looking for a sweep. Not yet Modaal, not yet.

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.
Symbol is working Modaal over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Modaal 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.

Modaal escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Symbol gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Symbol wants to control from the top but Modaal keeps moving.
Modaal is trying to control the position but Symbol postures up.

Modaal is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Symbol defends well.
Symbol with a flurry of punches that miss.

Modaal is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Modaal is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Symbol is aware though and is defending well.
Modaal keeping full guard, as Symbol tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Symbol lands a couple of digs.
Symbol landing with the ground and pound.
Modaal striking off his back but it's not causing Symbol any problems.
Symbol must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Symbol makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Symbol trying to control the position from guard on top but Modaal is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Symbol lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Modaal looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Symbol is in close to Modaal's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Modaal utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Modaal had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Symbol defends it easily.
Symbol scoring with some ground and pound.
Symbol scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Symbol won't allow Modaal to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Symbol stands up over Modaal, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Modaal looking to hit a scissor sweep but Symbol is one step ahead there.

Modaal working for a triangle but Symbol defends it easily.

Modaal working for a triangle but Symbol defends it easily.
Symbol with a nice head shot there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Symbol preventing the sweep.
Symbol pushing down on Modaal's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Modaal on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Modaal is looking for a sweep. Symbol is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A shot to the body from Modaal misses
and Symbol cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Modaal throws a body punch but Symbol moves out of range.
Modaal fails with a takedown attempt.

Modaal shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Symbol wants to improve his position but Modaal is controlling well.
Modaal working over Symbol with some ground and pound. Symbol looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Symbol is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Modaal's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Modaal's back!
Symbol is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Symbol gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Symbol gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Symbol apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Modaal misses with a body shot.
Nice sprawl there from Symbol as Modaal shoots in.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Modaal misses with a double jab
letting Symbol counter with a right hand.
Symbol tries to score a power double leg takedown but Modaal sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Symbol somewhat.
Modaal misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Symbol.
Jan Modaal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Modaal drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Symbol wants to sweep here but Modaal controlling him for the moment.
Symbol is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Modaal stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Symbol swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Modaal with a flurry of punches that miss.
Modaal tries to free his leg and advance position but Symbol is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Modaal throws and elbow that misses. Symbol uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Modaal's guard. Nice move by Symbol!
Modaal is trying to keep Symbol in close.
Symbol lands a couple of elbows.
Symbol throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Modaal works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Symbol working some strikes from top position.

Modaal is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Modaal is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Modaal tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Symbol wants to pass the guard but Modaal is keeping the position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Symbol's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Symbol pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Modaal is keeping the position for now.

Modaal escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Symbol gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Symbol makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Modaal utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Modaal wants to sweep here but Symbol controlling him for the moment.
Modaal manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Symbol manages to get himself to full guard.
Symbol keeping moving, preventing Modaal from controlling successfully.
Symbol wants to sweep here but Modaal controlling him for the moment.
Symbol throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Modaal stands up over Symbol, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Modaal is stalling in the full guard.
Modaal stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Symbol swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Symbol working a defensive guard here.
Modaal with a nice head shot there.
Modaal stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Symbol swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Symbol avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Modaal throwing strikes but missing.
Modaal pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Symbol is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jan Modaal will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Modaal doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Symbol counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Modaal is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Symbol's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Symbol's back!
Symbol manages to reverse the position and now he's in Modaal's guard. Nice work there by Symbol.

Modaal is looking for a triangle but Symbol pushes his legs off easily.

Modaal looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Symbol preventing the sweep.
Modaal is working hard here to advance position.
Symbol working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Modaal's head.
Symbol missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Symbol wants to control from the top but Modaal keeps moving.
Symbol with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Symbol is working Modaal over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Modaal has his foot on Symbol's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Symbol works his way back into a safe position though.
Symbol with a nice head shot there.
Symbol pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Modaal is keeping the position for now.

Modaal is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Symbol defends well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Symbol with a nice head shot there.

Modaal is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Symbol is aware though and is defending well.
Modaal manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Symbol keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Modaal is landing with some decent strikes but Symbol is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Modaal fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Modaal landing strikes from the mount and Symbol is in trouble!
Symbol manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Symbol avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Modaal.
Modaal passes to side control.
Modaal tries to move to mount but Symbol blocks the move with his legs.
Modaal creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Symbol sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Modaal is working Symbol over with some ground and pound from side control.
Modaal tries to advance to mount but Symbol denies him.
Modaal laying and praying for a moment but Symbol takes advantage and regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Modaal throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Modaal missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Symbol tries to roll over but Modaal keeps him under control.
Ground and pound from Modaal.
Modaal passes to side control.
Modaal scores with a couple of short elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Modaal is chipping away with strikes.
Symbol tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Modaal wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Modaal with the ground and pound but Symbol regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Modaal trying to mount his opponent but Symbol defends it.
Modaal missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Symbol avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Modaal.
Symbol is not content to let Modaal control the position.
Symbol is trying to maintain the position but Modaal is very close to passing his half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Modaal tries to pass the half guard into mount. Symbol knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jan Modaal showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Modaal has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jan Modaal!