PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Robin Van Laere (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hakan Bozan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Van Laere
vs
Bozan

170 cm
18
199 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
204 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Robin Van Laere!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Hakan Bozan!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Paul Aken and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bozan misses with a jab, cross combination.
Bozan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Van Laere shoots in and bounces Bozan off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
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.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Bozan is trying to keep Van Laere in close.
Van Laere looking to sit in guard and control but Bozan gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Bozan trying to control but Van Laere is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Van Laere lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Bozan!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Van Laere looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Van Laere could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Bozan tries to hold on but Van Laere pushes him away.
Van Laere postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Bozan looks a forlorn figure.

Van Laere working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Van Laere controlling the pace for now.
Bozan tries to lock up and control but Van Laere gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bozan is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Bozan keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Van Laere looking to ground and pound but Bozan is blocking nicely.
Bozan wants to try and get back to his feet.
Van Laere trying to control but Bozan is having none of it.
Van Laere throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Bozan is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bozan is looking to improve his position but Van Laere isn't that keen on the idea.
Van Laere looking to ground and pound but Bozan is blocking nicely.
Van Laere tries to control but Bozan wriggling away.
Van Laere landing strikes from the mount and Bozan is in trouble!
Van Laere tries to control but Bozan wriggling away.

Van Laere is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Bozan has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Van Laere controlling his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Laere working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Van Laere is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Bozan can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Van Laere scoring with strikes but Bozan is staying in there.
Van Laere raining down hammerfists from mount.
Bozan looks gassed!
Bozan gets back to half guard.
Van Laere tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Bozan wants to get back to full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Bozan has one foot on Van Laere's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robin Van Laere dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bozan tries to score a power double leg takedown but Van Laere sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bozan somewhat.
Van Laere fails with the takedown.
Bozan works over Van Laere's head and body with a nice combination.

Van Laere shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Bozan's guard.
Van Laere might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Van Laere passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Bozan tries to bench press Van Laere off him but Van Laere keeps the position.
Bozan is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Van Laere is looking to take a break and control but Bozan is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bozan is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Van Laere goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Bozan rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Van Laere's guard! Nice work there by Bozan!
Bozan looking to pass the guard.
Van Laere wants to stand up but Bozan is controlling him.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bozan accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Laere has a closed guard, preventing Bozan from standing up.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Van Laere holds on and takes a little breather.

Van Laere pushes Bozan off and gets back to his feet.
Van Laere shoots in for a takedown but Bozan shows good takedown defense.

Bozan gets a clinch.
Bozan tries to break the clinch but Van Laere is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Van Laere jumps guard and drags Bozan to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Bozan wants to stand but Van Laere is controlling his posture from full guard.
Bozan forces his way into half guard.
Van Laere gets full guard.

Bozan has gone for a leg lock! Van Laere slips out almost immediately though and dives into Bozan's guard.
Bozan is trying to keep Van Laere in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Laere working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Bozan pushes Van Laere off and gets back to his feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Van Laere is defended easily by Bozan.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robin Van Laere. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Bozan drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Bozan is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Van Laere is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Van Laere has escaped and now he's on top!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Hakan Bozan will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Van Laere looks for a takedown but Bozan sprawls well.
Bozan lands a lovely overhand right.

Van Laere has taken the fight to the clinch.
Bozan lands with a right to the head.
Bozan can't break the clinch.
Van Laere is looking for a takedown.
Van Laere has Bozan pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Bozan manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robin Van Laere. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Van Laere gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bozan is trying is best to control the position here.
Bozan is refusing to be controlled, as Van Laere sits in half guard.
Van Laere not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Bozan has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Van Laere is working away from the top position though.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Bozan is looking to escape.
Van Laere sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bozan defending well though.
Van Laere sitting and controlling from the half guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nice takedown defense from Bozan. No joy for Van Laere on that attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bozan misses with a takedown attempt - Van Laere sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Van Laere fails to land the takedown.
Bozan shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Van Laere pinned against the cage. Van Laere gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bozan fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Van Laere avoids it really well and circles away.
Van Laere connects with a high kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bozan has managed to clinch.
Bozan tries to circle away but Van Laere has him pinned against the cage.
Van Laere keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bozan's efforts to push away.

Van Laere decides to pull guard.
Van Laere looking to control.
Bozan advances to half guard.

Bozan 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bozan tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Van Laere.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Laere wants to control but Bozan is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bozan trying to control from half guard but Van Laere is working away.

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 Robin Van Laere.
I think Van Laere 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 29:29
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 29:29
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!