PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Valentijn Overeem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Markus Rieech (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rieech has chosen DMX ft. Black Violin-Im a Ryder as his entrance music. 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.

Overeem
vs
Rieech

193 cm
25
239 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

178 cm
22
185 lbs
3 - 7 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Valentijn Overeem!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Markus Rieech!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Nard Betker and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Overeem misses with a takedown attempt - Rieech sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Overeem tries for a takedown but Rieech circles away easily
and Rieech counters with a nice leg kick.
Rieech explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Rieech shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Overeem pinned against the cage. Overeem gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Overeem gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Rieech's corner calls for a 1-2. Rieech obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Rieech tries a head kick but it misses.
Rieech tries for a takedown but Overeem circles away easily

and Overeem counters with a single leg into guard. Rieech didn't expect that.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Rieech keeping moving, preventing Overeem from controlling successfully.
Rieech not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Overeem is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Rieech throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Overeem's waist but Overeem gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rieech off to one side.
Valentijn Overeem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Markus Rieech.

Rieech throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Overeem was covering up waiting for the punch and Rieech finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Rieech prevents Overeem from getting back to his feet.
Overeem is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rieech wants to control from the top but Overeem keeps moving.
Rieech prevents Overeem from getting back to his feet.
Overeem has a closed guard, preventing Rieech from standing up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Markus Rieech was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Overeem shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rieech counters with a nice uppercut.
Rieech fails with the takedown

and Overeem counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Overeem is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rieech is just riding it out for now. Overeem eventually gives up the hold.
Rieech keeps control of the position for the meantime.

That's four 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.
Rieech wants to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rieech trying to control here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Rieech is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Overeem's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Overeem's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rieech lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Overeem backs up against the cage.
Overeem doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rieech counters with a one-two to the body.
Rieech throws a combination. Overeem tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Rieech shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Overeem but Overeem pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Overeem tries for a takedown but Rieech circles away easily
and Rieech counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Rieech has taken the fight to the clinch.
Rieech misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rieech is trying to break the clinch but Overeem is controlling him.
Overeem keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rieech's efforts to push away.
A nice left hand lands by Rieech.
Rieech is trying to break the clinch but Overeem has him pressed against the cage.
Overeem keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rieech's efforts to push away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rieech wants to get back to striking at distance but Overeem won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Overeem dodges an elbow strike from Rieech.
Overeem using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rieech has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rieech lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Rieech tries to break free but Overeem pushes him back against the cage.
Rieech goes for a takedown in the clinch but Overeem prevents it.
Rieech working hard to break the clinch.
Rieech can't break the clinch.
Rieech has had enough of the clinch but Overeem keeps him there for the moment.
Rieech is pressed up against the cage. Overeem has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rieech down to the mat. Rieech avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Valentijn Overeem. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Overeem takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Valentijn Overeem seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rieech swinging wildly here.
No luck for Overeem with that takedown attempt.

Rieech closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rieech is trying to break the clinch but Overeem has him pressed against the cage.

Rieech breaks from the clinch.
Good exchange - Rieech coming out on top.
Rieech feints a jab promting Overeem to slip. Rieech then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Overeem slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

Rieech takes the fight into the clinch.
Rieech misses with a punch on the inside.
Rieech wants to get back to striking at distance but Overeem won't allow it.
Rieech tries to break free but Overeem pushes him back against the cage.
Rieech lands a body punch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Overeem has Rieech pressed against the cage, preventing Rieech from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Rieech creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Rieech breaks from the clinch.
Rieech lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rieech gets a clinch.
Overeem prevents Rieech from breaking the clinch.
Rieech using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Overeem has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rieech misses with a knee to the head.
Rieech taking a breather.

Rieech pulls guard successfully.
Rieech looking to control.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rieech is on top in guard.

Overeem is working an open guard so Rieech takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Overeem is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Rieech.
Rieech connects with a body shot.
Rieech clobbers Overeem with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Overeem takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rieech moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Rieech tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Overeem has a takedown stuffed.
Rieech pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Overeem back to the cage. Rieech follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rieech.
Rieech looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Markus Rieech showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Overeem chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rieech can pounce on him.

Rieech moves into the clinch successfully.
Rieech is trying to force a seperation but Overeem has the dominant position.
Overeem is pressed up against the cage. Rieech has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Overeem down to the mat. Overeem avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rieech fails with a takedown attempt.
Overeem shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rieech but Rieech pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Overeem shoots in looking for a takedown but Rieech manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Overeem's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Rieech closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
You can see the frustration on Overeem's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Rieech decides to stand back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rieech darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Rieech has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rieech misses with the combination.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Rieech, right into the meat.

Rieech closes the distance and pushes Overeem back into the cage.
Rieech working aggressively here.
Rieech fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rieech wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rieech looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Rieech is trying to push Overeem away but Overeem has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Overeem throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rieech softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Rieech has had enough of the clinch but Overeem keeps him there for the moment.
Overeem prevents Rieech from breaking the clinch.
Overeem with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A frustrated look appears on Rieech's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Rieech misses with a punch on the inside.
Rieech goes for a takedown in the clinch but Overeem prevents it.
Valentijn Overeem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Markus Rieech.
Rieech wants a takedown.
Rieech tries to circle away but Overeem has him pinned against the cage.
Overeem goes for a takedown attempt but Rieech pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Rieech gets a clinch.

Rieech breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rieech throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Overeem.
Rieech fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

Overeem gets tackled into the cage by Rieech. Rieech maintains the clinch.
Rieech tries to circle away but Overeem has him pinned against the cage.

Rieech breaks from the clinch.
Rieech tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A punch combination from Rieech misses.
Some wild striking there from Rieech.
Overeem stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Overeem wants it to stay on the feet.
Rieech lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Overeem misses with a takedown
and Rieech finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rieech fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rieech misses with a head kick.
Rieech scores with a hook.
Markus Rieech is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rieech lands a body shot.

Rieech has Overeem up against the cage in a clinch.
Overeem has Rieech pressed against the cage, preventing Rieech from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Rieech wants to get back to striking at distance but Overeem won't allow it.
Rieech is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Rieech looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Valentijn Overeem has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Overeem tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rieech is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Markus Rieech comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rieech winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Wagner Zegers scores the fight 26:30
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 26:30
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Markus Rieech!