PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Richie Fanoogon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alistair Overeem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Fanoogon
vs
Overeem

176 cm
31
194 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

180 cm
33
193 lbs
22 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Nutrition Your Way!
The Dark Side

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Richie Fanoogon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Alistair Overeem!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fanoogon walks into a stiff left hand from Overeem.
Fanoogon works Overeem's body with a nice hook.
Overeem throws the kick towards the body but Fanoogon avoids it.
Fanoogon is looking to clinch but Overeem is avoiding it.
Fanoogon tries for a takedown but Overeem circles away easily
and Overeem counters with a leg kick.
Overeem tries to score with a low kick but Fanoogon moves his leg out of the way.
Fanoogon misses with a takedown attempt - Overeem sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Overeem, right into the meat.
Overeem throws a lazy head kick

and Fanoogon counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Fanoogon is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fanoogon wants to control but Overeem is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fanoogon missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Fanoogon 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.
Overeem is refusing to be controlled, as Fanoogon sits in half guard.

Fanoogon is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Fanoogon is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Overeem is trying to maintain the position but Fanoogon is very close to passing his half guard.
Overeem is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Fanoogon seems to be working for a kimura but Overeem defends the submission attempt.
Overeem is trying to get back to full guard.
Overeem is looking to escape.
Fanoogon is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Overeem is looking to control Fanoogon's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Overeem avoid being mounted?
Fanoogon is just content to waste time from the top position. Overeem takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Overeem is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Fanoogon is controlling him.
Fanoogon trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Overeem controls Fanoogon momentarily but Fanoogon frees himself.
Overeem is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Fanoogon is controlling him.
Overeem keeping full guard, as Fanoogon tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Fanoogon sitting in guard here, content to control.
Fanoogon cracks Overeem with a solid left hand.
Fanoogon trying to control the position from guard on top but Overeem is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Overeem holds on and takes a little breather.
Overeem looking to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Alistair Overeem.
Overeem looks for the body kick but Fanoogon saw that one coming.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Overeem wants to land a leg kick but Fanoogon is out of range.
Fanoogon fails with an attempt to clinch.
Fanoogon tries to score a power double leg takedown but Overeem sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Fanoogon somewhat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richie Fanoogon dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A jab lands there for Overeem.

Fanoogon drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Overeem keeping full guard, as Fanoogon tries to pass.
Overeem keeping moving, preventing Fanoogon from controlling successfully.
Fanoogon tries to free his leg and advance position but Overeem is retaining full guard.
Overeem 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.
Fanoogon looking to pass the guard.

Overeem pushes Fanoogon off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fanoogon is looking to clinch.
Overeem tries to work over Fanoogon's front leg with a kick but Fanoogon checks it.
Fanoogon takes one on the chin but seems OK.
No luck for Fanoogon with that takedown attempt.
A slapping leg kick lands for Overeem.
Overeem throws a sloppy head kick and Fanoogon moves out of range easily.
Fanoogon throws out a loose jab but Overeem uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fanoogon fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Fanoogon looks for a takedown but Overeem sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Richie Fanoogon. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fanoogon doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Overeem to counter with a crisp jab.
A big left from Fanoogon misses.
Fanoogon looks to land a left hand but Overeem moved out of range nicely.

Fanoogon scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Overeem manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fanoogon trying to control the pace.
The fighters are battling for position here. Overeem manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Overeem is looking to stand back up but Fanoogon counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Overeem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Overeem blocking the ground and pound attempt from Fanoogon.
Fanoogon seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Overeem does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Overeem tries to kick Fanoogon off but Fanoogon keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Fanoogon is looking for a kimura but Overeem is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Fanoogon to get the leverage.
Fanoogon is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Overeem gets back to full guard.
Fanoogon missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Overeem is wriggling around but Fanoogon manages to pass to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Overeem is trying to stand up here but Fanoogon is controlling him well.

Fanoogon is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Overeem defends it well.
Fanoogon sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Overeem defending well though.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Fanoogon connects with a nice short shot to Overeem's temple.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Fanoogon seems to be working for a kimura but Overeem defends the submission attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fanoogon thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richie Fanoogon dominated that second 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.

Overeem connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Overeem thows a left - swing and a miss!
Overeem swings widly with a right hand

so Fanoogon counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Fanoogon wants to control from the top but Overeem keeps moving.
Overeem working a defensive guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fanoogon trying to control the position from guard on top but Overeem is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Overeem tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Fanoogon pushes down on Overeem's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Fanoogon missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fanoogon is controlling the pace.
Overeem wants to control but Fanoogon is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Fanoogon is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Fanoogon is taking a breather. Overeem says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Fanoogon looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Overeem wants to improve his position but Fanoogon is controlling well.

Fanoogon is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Overeem has managed to free his arm - good work.
Fanoogon is looking to take a break and control but Overeem is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Fanoogon prevents Overeem from standing back up.
Fanoogon not doing much here.
Fanoogon not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fanoogon not doing much here.

Fanoogon is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Overeem sees it coming and defends easily.

Fanoogon is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Overeem sees it coming and defends easily.
Richie Fanoogon overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Overeem manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Overeem steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Fanoogon.
Overeem throws a poor cross that misses

and Fanoogon counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Overeem!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Overeem wants to get back to his feet but Fanoogon drags him back down.
Overeem tries to improve position but can't.
Fanoogon wants to lay and pray for a moment but Overeem keeps working.

Fanoogon is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Overeem is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Overeem is not content to let Fanoogon control the position.
You can see the frustration on Overeem's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fanoogon wants to lay and pray for a moment but Overeem keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richie Fanoogon clearly takes 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.

Overeem misses with a low kick.
Overeem misses with the combination.
Fanoogon throws out a loose jab but Overeem uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fanoogon steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Overeem.
Fanoogon fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fanoogon has a takedown stuffed.
Alistair Overeem seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Overeem scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Fanoogon shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Overeem pinned against the cage. Overeem gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A telegraphed right hand from Overeem misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fanoogon showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Overeem.
Alistair Overeem is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fanoogon shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Overeem sprawls well. Overeem wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Fanoogon gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Richie Fanoogon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Overeem goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Fanoogon tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Overeem counters with a stiff right hand.
Fanoogon darts in trying to clinch
and Overeem finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fanoogon is trying hard to land a takedown here. Overeem sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Fanoogon misses with a straight right.
Overeem misses with a wild combination.
Fanoogon fails with a takedown attempt.

Fanoogon darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Fanoogon wants to lay and pray for a moment but Overeem keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Overeem trying to control but Fanoogon postures up.
Overeem wants to get back to his feet.

Fanoogon is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Fanoogon not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Overeem is looking to escape.
Fanoogon scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Fanoogon is nestled in close to Overeem, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Fanoogon is stalling here. Overeem is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Fanoogon seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Overeem has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

Overeem decides to stand back up. Overeem steps back and let's Fanoogon get back to his feet.
Fanoogon is trying hard to land a takedown here. Overeem sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Overeem misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fanoogon.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fanoogon is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Fanoogon takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
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 Richie Fanoogon 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!

Overeem throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Fanoogon.
Overeem throws a body kick that misses.
Fanoogon changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Overeem defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Fanoogon.
Fanoogon's corner calls for a 1-2. Fanoogon obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

Overeem closes the distance and pushes Fanoogon back into the cage.
A shot in the inside from Overeem.
Overeem throws a punch but it's blocked by Fanoogon.
Overeem lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Overeem misses with a body punch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Overeem.
Fanoogon blocks a body shot from Overeem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Overeem doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Fanoogon can't get the takedown.

Fanoogon's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fanoogon throws a big shot that misses.
Fanoogon shoots in looking for a takedown. Overeem tries to sprawl out of it but Fanoogon keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Overeem 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 Richie Fanoogon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Overeem fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Fanoogon looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Overeem stuffs the takedown.
Overeem throws a predictable looking body shot
and Fanoogon cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Overeem misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fanoogon.
Fanoogon looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Overeem tries a head kick but it misses.
Overeem misses with a head kick.
Overeem misses with a low kick.
Overeem sizes up Fanoogon with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Overeem checks a low kick from Fanoogon.
Overeem tries a low kick but Fanoogon avoids it.
Fanoogon tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Overeem paws at him with a jab and circles away.
No joy there for Overeem, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Fanoogon looks to land a left hand but Overeem moved out of range nicely.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Fanoogon is defended easily by Overeem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Overeem misses with an uppercut
and Fanoogon cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Overeem lands a jab to the head.
Sloppy strikes from Overeem. Those never looked like landing.
Horrible takedown by Fanoogon or perhaps it was just good defense by Overeem which made him look bad.
Fanoogon on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nice body punch from Overeem.

Fanoogon is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Overeem's half guard.
Overeem is refusing to be controlled, as Fanoogon sits in half guard.
Fanoogon stalling away here and it's allowed Overeem to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Overeem is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Overeem scores with a nice hook to the head.
Fanoogon is looking to take this one to the mat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Overeem misses with a body punch.
Overeem misses with a punch to the body.
Alistair Overeem has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Overeem stops a takedown attempt from Fanoogon.
Overeem lands a body punch.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Overeem lands a body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alistair Overeem comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Fanoogon 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 49:46
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 49:46
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Richie Fanoogon!
A relieved looking Richie Fanoogon thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.