PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kyle Van Hook (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Cyborg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Van Hook comes to the cage accompanied by The Cure's Close To Me. Cyborg has chosen Awaken as his entrance music. Chris Cyborg told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Van Hook
vs
Cyborg

170 cm
27
139 lbs
17 - 5 - 1

168 cm
22
142 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kyle Van Hook!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chris Cyborg!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Tiny Johnson and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Van Hook misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cyborg.
Van Hook ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Van Hook changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cyborg tries to avoid it but Van Hook manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cyborg to the ground. Cyborg escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Van Hook connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Cyborg's hands.
Van Hook looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Cyborg misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Van Hook counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Van Hook.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Van Hook wants to pass the guard but Cyborg is keeping the position.
Cyborg looking for a sweep. Not yet Cyborg, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Van Hook trying to control but Cyborg is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Van Hook pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cyborg is keeping the position for now.
Cyborg wants to stand and escape but Van Hook is having none of it.
Van Hook slips nicely into half guard.
Van Hook not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Van Hook looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Van Hook tries to pass the half guard into mount. Cyborg knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Van Hook thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Van Hook is trying to control. Cyborg wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Van Hook with the ground and pound but Cyborg uses the opportunity to regain guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Hook being controlled here momentarily.
Van Hook trying to control but Cyborg is working from the bottom.
Cyborg trying to control the position here.
Van Hook tries to free his leg and advance position but Cyborg is retaining full guard.
Cyborg keeping moving, preventing Van Hook from controlling successfully.
Cyborg is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Chris Cyborg.
A head kick misses from Van Hook.
Cyborg avoids the head kick by Van Hook.
Van Hook throws a wild body kick that Cyborg sees coming a mile off.
Van Hook throws a head kick that misses

and Cyborg decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Van Hook's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cyborg thows a big elbow that misses.
Van Hook tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle Van Hook dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Van Hook jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Van Hook throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Van Hook misses with the combination.
Cyborg uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Van Hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Van Hook throws a sloppy head kick and Cyborg moves out of range easily.
Cyborg throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Van Hook's waist but Van Hook gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cyborg off to one side.
Van Hook misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Hook misses with a kick to the body
and Cyborg counters with a low kick, right behind Van Hook 's knee.
Kyle Van Hook seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Van Hook tries to score a power double leg takedown but Cyborg sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Van Hook somewhat.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Cyborg crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Van Hook - the referee stops the clock and Cyborg gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Van Hook. Cyborg manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Cyborg scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Van Hook doesn't seem bothered though.
A looping hook to the body misses from Van Hook. Cyborg does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Van Hook.
Van Hook swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cyborg lands with a nice body punch.
Van Hook throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Van Hook throws a body kick the misses
and Cyborg counters with a stiff right hand.
Nice jab there from Van Hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Hook misses with a wild body shot.
Van Hook throws a sloppy head kick and Cyborg moves out of range easily.
Van Hook missing with a left hand there. Cyborg was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Van Hook misses with a body shot.
Cyborg takes one to the chin there.
Van Hook lands with a kick to the temple. Cyborg shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Van Hook throws a leg kick
and Cyborg counters with a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Hook throws a head kick that misses.
Cyborg with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Van Hook to score with a decent uppercut.
Van Hook thows a body shot but no joy.
Cyborg throws a leg kick but Van Hook sees it coming and checks it nicely.
A head kick from Van Hook lands but Cyborg takes it in his stride.
Van Hook misses with a right hand
and Cyborg counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Van Hook throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle Van Hook dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Van Hook throws a sloppy head kick and Cyborg moves out of range easily.
Van Hook tries to land a front kick but Cyborg steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Van Hook throws a head kick that misses.
Van Hook cracks Cyborg with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Cyborg throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Cyborg throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Van Hook's waist but Van Hook gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cyborg off to one side.
Van Hook misses with a body shot.
Kyle Van Hook is winning the standup battle so far.
Van Hook misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Hook uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Cyborg has time to react.
Van Hook misses with a wild body shot.
Van Hook scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Cyborg moves away from the strike by Van Hook.
Van Hook tries to score a power double leg takedown but Cyborg sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Van Hook somewhat.
Good work by Van Hook as he checks the leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Hook shoots in but Cyborg avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Van Hook ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cyborg moves away.
Van Hook misses with a kick to the body
and Cyborg counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Van Hook thinking.
Cyborg closes the distance and clinches up with Van Hook, looking for a takedown. Cyborg pushes Van Hook against the cage but Van Hook circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Hook ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cyborg moves away.
Cyborg is looking to slow Van Hook down with leg kicks.
Cyborg drops his hands momentarily and Van Hook takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Van Hook misses with the combination.
Cyborg with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Van Hook to score with a decent uppercut.
Van Hook shoots in looking for a takedown. Cyborg tries to sprawl out of it but Van Hook keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cyborg manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kyle Van Hook. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cyborg looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Cyborg keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Van Hook's head.
Van Hook looking to control.
Cyborg distracts Van Hook with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Van Hook is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Cyborg throws and elbow that misses. Van Hook uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Cyborg's guard. Nice move by Van Hook!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Kyle Van Hook did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's time! Back to the action!

Van Hook thows a body shot but no joy.
Van Hook tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cyborg was well out of range. Poor timing from Van Hook.
Cyborg takes a swing at Van Hook's ribcage but misses.
Van Hook looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Van Hook lands a head kick. Cyborg smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Hook fails with the takedown.
Van Hook swings for the body but Cyborg moves out of range.
Van Hook thows a body shot but no joy.
Van Hook throws a sloppy head kick and Cyborg moves out of range easily.
Nice takedown defense from Van Hook. No joy for Cyborg on that attempt.
Van Hook checks the leg kick nicely there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Hook shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Cyborg as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kyle Van Hook. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Van Hook shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Van Hook.
Cyborg misses with a low kick.
Van Hook shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Cyborg counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cyborg throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Van Hook misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Van Hook throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Cyborg stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Cyborg keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cyborg slaps away a takedown attempt from Van Hook, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Cyborg jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Hook throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Van Hook misses with a body kick.
Cyborg jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Van Hook throws a body punch but Cyborg moves out of range.
Cyborg keeps Van Hook at a distance using the push kick.
Cyborg moves out of range as Van Hook strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Kyle Van Hook will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Cyborg keeps Van Hook at a distance using the push kick.
Cyborg swings for the body but Van Hook moves out of range.
Cyborg throws a body punch but Van Hook moves out of range.
Van Hook misses with a kick to the body.
Van Hook shoots for a takedown but Cyborg saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Van Hook misses with a kick to the body.
Cyborg fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Hook swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Van Hook throws a looping overhand right but Cyborg ducks down to avoid it.
Cyborg shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Van Hook but Van Hook pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A head kick misses from Van Hook.
Cyborg displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Van Hook.
Cyborg misses with a few strikes there.
Kyle Van Hook is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Hook dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Van Hook tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cyborg was well out of range. Poor timing from Van Hook.
A left and a right from Van Hook both land. Nice combination.
Van Hook misses the shot to the body.
Van Hook shoots in and drives through. Cyborg sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kyle Van Hook. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Van Hook fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Hook throws a sloppy head kick and Cyborg moves out of range easily.
Van Hook is looking to wear down Cyborg with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Van Hook shoots for a takedown but Cyborg saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Cyborg walks into a stiff left hand from Van Hook.
Cyborg stalks Van Hook and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Van Hook's face. Van Hook staggers backwards, shaken.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cyborg looks for a takedown but Van Hook sprawls well.
Van Hook throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Cyborg uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Van Hook.
Van Hook shoots in for a double leg but Cyborg sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Van Hook throws a body punch but Cyborg moves out of range.
Chris Cyborg has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cyborg shoots in for a takedown but Van Hook shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

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 Kyle Van Hook.
Well Van Hook has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge George Francis scores the fight 50:45
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 50:45
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kyle Van Hook!
Kyle Van Hook retains his bantamweight title!