PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dirk Van Der Heijden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brian Thousand (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Brian Thousand will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Van Der Heijden
vs
Thousand

182 cm
23
171 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

179 cm
31
179 lbs
14 - 9 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Good low kicks
Heavy handed

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Dirk Van Der Heijden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Brian Thousand!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Roger Salmon and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Van Der Heijden lands a lovely overhand right.
Thousand fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Van Der Heijden has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

Thousand darts in and clinches Van Der Heijden up against the cage.
Van Der Heijden throws a head punch that misses.
Thousand gets underhooks to prevent Van Der Heijden's takedown attempt.
Thousand misses with a punch on the inside.
Thousand is looking to break free of the clinch but Van Der Heijden has double underhooks.
Van Der Heijden has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Thousand is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Van Der Heijden lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Van Der Heijden prevents a body shot from Thousand.
Thousand can't break the clinch.
Van Der Heijden working aggressively here.
Van Der Heijden leaning against his opponent.
Van Der Heijden misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Der Heijden throws a head punch that misses.
Thousand can't find room to land a body shot as Van Der Heijden controls the action.
Thousand taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Thousand is looking to control Van Der Heijden's arms but Van Der Heijden gets an underhook and turns him. Now Thousand has his back to the cage.
Thousand tries to work over Van Der Heijden's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Van Der Heijden has hold of one of Thousand's legs. Thousand is fighting the takedown attempt but Van Der Heijden gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Thousand not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Van Der Heijden throwing strikes but missing.
Van Der Heijden wants to pass the guard but Thousand is keeping the position.
Thousand trying to control the position here.
Van Der Heijden pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Thousand is keeping the position for now.
Thousand preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Heijden content to stall in guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Van Der Heijden's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Van Der Heijden working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Thousand's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thousand wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thousand trying to keep a closed guard but Van Der Heijden is proving a slippery customer.
Van Der Heijden 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.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Brian Thousand hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Van Der Heijden shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Thousand pinned against the cage. Thousand gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dirk Van Der Heijden. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thousand throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Van Der Heijden.
Van Der Heijden tries to clinch up
and Thousand counters with a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Heijden ducks under a wild hook from Thousand.
Thousand loads up on a big right hand but Van Der Heijden slips the punch.
Van Der Heijden tries to close the distance and clinch but Thousand swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Brian Thousand seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Van Der Heijden fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Thousand to the ground. Van Der Heijden is now in Thousand's guard.
Thousand working a defensive guard here.
Van Der Heijden pushing down on Thousand's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Van Der Heijden missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Van Der Heijden controlling the pace.
Van Der Heijden thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Thousand is looking to control Van Der Heijden's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Thousand avoid being mounted?
Van Der Heijden throwing shots but Thousand is blocking nicely.
Van Der Heijden is looking to advance position but Thousand won't allow it.
Van Der Heijden seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Heijden landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thousand is not content to let Van Der Heijden control the position.
Thousand trying to control from the bottom.
Van Der Heijden wants to control but Thousand is keeping him busy.
Thousand really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Van Der Heijden. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Van Der Heijden circles away from the clinch attempt.
Thousand comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A combination from Thousand does no damage.
Thousand lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Van Der Heijden circles away quickly and effectively.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thousand throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Thousand wants to slow Van Der Heijden down by chopping away at his legs.
Thousand wants to land a leg kick but Van Der Heijden is out of range.
Van Der Heijden chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Thousand can pounce on him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Dirk Van Der Heijden will probably get the nod.
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 Der Heijden clinches with his opponent.
Thousand tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Van Der Heijden's elbow.
Van Der Heijden throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thousand working aggressively here.

Thousand manages to break the clinch.
Thousand misses with a hook. Van Der Heijden ducked under it nicely.
Thousand scores with a three punch combo!

It looks like Dirk Van Der Heijden has been cut.
Thousand lands a nice looking body shot.
Thousand lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Van Der Heijden tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Thousand paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Thousand digs a good hook to Van Der Heijden's body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A slapping leg kick lands for Thousand.
Van Der Heijden fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Van Der Heijden moves into the clinch.
Thousand lands with a light punch inside.
Thousand tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Van Der Heijden blocks a body shot from Thousand.
Thousand goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Van Der Heijden throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Thousand blocks it with crossed arms.
Thousand tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Van Der Heijden's elbow.
Van Der Heijden misses with a knee strike.
Thousand blocking some punches.
Thousand pressing his opponent against the cage.
Van Der Heijden blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thousand blocks an uppercut.
Thousand working aggressively here.
Thousand misses with a punch to the body.
Thousand is trying to stall.
Thousand blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Van Der Heijden drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Thousand gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Van Der Heijden can't find room to land a body shot as Thousand controls the action.
Van Der Heijden blocks a body shot from Thousand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thousand wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Van Der Heijden lands with a left to the head.
Thousand works on Van Der Heijden's body with a couple of short punches.
Brian Thousand seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Van Der Heijden gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Van Der Heijden is looking for a kimura but Thousand is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Van Der Heijden to get the leverage.
Thousand is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Van Der Heijden scores with a couple of nice shots.
Van Der Heijden throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Van Der Heijden is looking to take a break and control but Thousand is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Van Der Heijden landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Van Der Heijden trying to control from half guard but Thousand is working away.
Van Der Heijden looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Thousand is controlling Van Der Heijden's trapped leg to prevent Van Der Heijden from advancing to side control.
Van Der Heijden is trying to control. Thousand wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thousand scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Van Der Heijden manages to mount him!
Thousand tries to reverse the position but Van Der Heijden maintains control.
Thousand wants to control but Van Der Heijden is having none of it.
Van Der Heijden tries to control but Thousand wriggling away.
Thousand is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Van Der Heijden lands a nice shot to the head.
Van Der Heijden breaks from Thousand's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Dirk Van Der Heijden overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Van Der Heijden looking to control and managing it successfully.
Van Der Heijden with shots to the head and body - Thousand looks very uncomfortable down there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Thousand wants to hold on but Van Der Heijden pushes him away.
Van Der Heijden working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Van Der Heijden postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Thousand looks a forlorn figure.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Thousand can do anything to dispel that myth.
Van Der Heijden is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Thousand can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
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 Dirk Van Der Heijden will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Dirk Van Der Heijden's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

A swing and a miss from Van Der Heijden.
Thousand connects with a nice looking jab.
Van Der Heijden moves in looking to clinch but Thousand pushes him off.
Van Der Heijden tries to move into range but Thousand moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

Van Der Heijden is rocked!

Van Der Heijden gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Oh Van Der Heijden is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Van Der Heijden misses with a body punch.
Thousand fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Van Der Heijden misses with a punch on the inside.
Van Der Heijden is working for takedown but Thousand is calmly controlling the position for now.
Thousand lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Van Der Heijden or not.
Van Der Heijden seems to have got his legs back now.
Van Der Heijden goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Thousand is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Thousand goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Van Der Heijden is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Thousand stalling the fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thousand misses with a hook to the ribs.
Van Der Heijden misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Van Der Heijden misses with a punch on the inside.
Thousand is looking to control Van Der Heijden's arms but Van Der Heijden gets an underhook and turns him. Now Thousand has his back to the cage.
Thousand working aggressively here.
Van Der Heijden tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Thousand gets underhooks to prevent Van Der Heijden's takedown attempt.
Thousand goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Thousand misses with a punch to the body.
Thousand misses with a body punch.

Van Der Heijden wants the takedown. Thousand is fighting it off but Van Der Heijden persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Thousand's guard against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thousand keeping full guard, as Van Der Heijden tries to pass.
Van Der Heijden is pushing down on Thousand's leg trying to pass to half guard. Thousand is fighting to maintain full guard but Van Der Heijden has managed to sneak the leg through.
Van Der Heijden lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Van Der Heijden passes to side control.
Van Der Heijden content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Thousand looks to move to half guard but instead Van Der Heijden has passed into mount! Damn!
Van Der Heijden looking to finish Thousand with some ground and pound. This is bad for Thousand!
Thousand is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Van Der Heijden with shots to the head and body - Thousand looks very uncomfortable down there.
Van Der Heijden trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Van Der Heijden cracks Thousand with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Thousand is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Heijden connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Van Der Heijden controlling his opponent.
Thousand tries to hold on but Van Der Heijden postures up.
Van Der Heijden lands a big elbow.
Dirk Van Der Heijden is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Van Der Heijden sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Thousand is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Brian Thousand has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Heijden content just to control the position here.
Thousand tries to reverse the position but Van Der Heijden maintains control.
Thousand is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Van Der Heijden content just to control the position here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Van Der Heijden has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Van Der Heijden avoids the attempt from Thousand to control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Thousand swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dirk Van Der Heijden showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Van Der Heijden, 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dirk Van Der Heijden!
A victorious Dirk Van Der Heijden thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.