PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tom Van Der Varrt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Irvin Ross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ross has chosen Harlem Shake 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.

Van Der Varrt
vs
Ross

180 cm
19
180 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

187 cm
19
188 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tom Van Der Varrt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Irvin Ross!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Van Der Varrt has his takedown stuffed
and Ross counters with a stiff right hand.
Ross slaps away a takedown attempt from Van Der Varrt, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Van Der Varrt feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Van Der Varrt wants to get up but he can't break Ross's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Ross kicks Van Der Varrt off and gets to his feet.
Van Der Varrt misses with a combination

and Ross counters with a single leg into guard. Van Der Varrt didn't expect that.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Van Der Varrt working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ross.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Van Der Varrt utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Van Der Varrt utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ross with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ross with a nice head shot there.
Ross working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ross throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Der Varrt wants to stand up but Ross is controlling him.
Ross throwing strikes from guard but Van Der Varrt blocks nicely.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ross accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Van Der Varrt preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ross in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Van Der Varrt is breathing heavily.
Ross throws a strike but Van Der Varrt rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Ross uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ross lands a nice shot that snaps Van Der Varrt's head back.
Van Der Varrt throws a right and a left that Ross avoids nicely.
Van Der Varrt takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Ross tries to land a leg kick but Van Der Varrt saw it coming and moves away.
Irvin Ross is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ross sizes up Van Der Varrt with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ross lands a jab to the head.

Van Der Varrt moves into range and clinches up with Ross.

Ross pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ross slips a jab and a cross from Van Der Varrt.

Van Der Varrt clinches with his opponent.
Van Der Varrt throws a knee to the head but misses.

Ross's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Van Der Varrt pushes Ross up against the cage in a clinch.
Ross prevents Van Der Varrt from breaking the clinch.
Van Der Varrt is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Ross is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tom Van Der Varrt. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ross breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ross scores with a hook to the body. Van Der Varrt takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ross misses with a low kick.
Van Der Varrt looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Ross swings for the body but Van Der Varrt moves out of range.
Van Der Varrt drops his hands momentarily and Ross takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Van Der Varrt is rocked!
Ross throws a series of punches but Van Der Varrt avoids them all with ease.
Oh Van Der Varrt is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Van Der Varrt throws a right and a left that Ross avoids nicely.
Van Der Varrt seems to have got his legs back now.
Van Der Varrt takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ross wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Van Der Varrt is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Ross.
Ross tries a low kick but Van Der Varrt avoids it.
Ross misses the shot to the body.
Some wild striking there from Ross.
Van Der Varrt with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Ross to score with a decent uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Varrt walks into a jab.
Ross throws a right hand that Van Der Varrt ducks under and follows up with a left that Van Der Varrt also avoids with ease.

Van Der Varrt has Ross up against the cage in a clinch.

Ross breaks the clinch.
No joy there for Van Der Varrt, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ross on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Van Der Varrt shoots for a double leg takedown but Ross sprawls well. He's pushed Van Der Varrt's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Ross's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Ross duly obliges.
Van Der Varrt tries to bum rush Ross with a series of wild strikes but Ross uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ross stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ross scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Ross lands with a shot to the body.
Ross tries to bum rush Van Der Varrt with a series of wild strikes but Van Der Varrt uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Van Der Varrt punishes Ross's body with a nice straight punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Van Der Varrt just misses with a punch to the body.
Ross has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.

Oooooh!!! Ross has knocked Van Der Varrt down with a huge combo! Ross steps away and waves a wobbly Van Der Varrt back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Van Der Varrt clinches up against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ross blocks an elbow strike.
Ross has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Ross on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Ross breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ross lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Van Der Varrt circles away quickly and effectively.
Irvin Ross seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Van Der Varrt clinches up with Ross and pushes him back against the cage.

Ross manages to break the clinch.
Ross misses with a jab, cross combination.

Van Der Varrt closes the distance and clinches.

Ross escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Ross gets a clinch.

Ross breaks from the clinch.
Ross lands with a right hand.
Van Der Varrt ducks under a wild hook from Ross.

Van Der Varrt moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Der Varrt misses with a punch on the inside.

Ross pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Van Der Varrt clinches up with Ross and pushes him back against the cage.
Ross wants to break the clinch but can't.
Van Der Varrt tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Van Der Varrt swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Van Der Varrt landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Ross is breathing heavily.
Ross blocks an uppercut.
Van Der Varrt misses with a knee strike.
Van Der Varrt keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ross's efforts to push away.
Van Der Varrt tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ross avoids it.

Ross escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Van Der Varrt lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Van Der Varrt slips under a jab from Ross.
Ross looks to score with a jab to the body but Van Der Varrt is just out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Varrt misses with the combination.
Van Der Varrt shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ross as he avoids it easily.
Ross dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
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!
Ross throws a jab when Van Der Varrt was well out of range.

Van Der Varrt gets a clinch.
Van Der Varrt throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ross blocks it with crossed arms.
Ross blocks a body shot from Van Der Varrt.
Ross has had enough of the clinch but Van Der Varrt keeps him there for the moment.

Ross breaks from the clinch.
Van Der Varrt throws a nice looking combination but Ross bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Van Der Varrt has Ross up against the cage in a clinch.
Van Der Varrt using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ross has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Ross manages to break the clinch.

Van Der Varrt gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ross breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Van Der Varrt clinches with his opponent.

Ross pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ross connects with a good right hand that stumbles Van Der Varrt. Van Der Varrt circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Van Der Varrt moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Van Der Varrt checks a low kick from Ross.
Ross throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ross rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Van Der Varrt moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Van Der Varrt throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Van Der Varrt moves into the clinch.
Van Der Varrt lands with a right to the head.
Ross wants to break free but Van Der Varrt has control.
Van Der Varrt lands a damaging elbow.

Ross breaks the clinch.

Van Der Varrt rushes Ross and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Ross pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ross shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Van Der Varrt eats them both and turns towards Ross to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Van Der Varrt throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Ross was covering up waiting for the punch and Van Der Varrt finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Van Der Varrt decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Ross throws a series of punches but Van Der Varrt moves out of range.
Ross swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A clash of legs there as Ross blocks the low kick.
Ross misses with a body shot.

Van Der Varrt closes the distance and clinches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Van Der Varrt fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Ross's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Van Der Varrt lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Van Der Varrt drives through and clinches with Ross against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Irvin Ross will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Van Der Varrt pushes Ross up against the cage in a clinch.
Van Der Varrt is trying to push Ross away but Ross has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Ross breaks from the clinch.
Van Der Varrt throws a right hand that Ross ducks under and follows up with a left that Ross also avoids with ease.
Van Der Varrt misses with a double jab
and Ross counters with a nice uppercut.

Van Der Varrt closes the distance and clinches.
Ross wants to break free but Van Der Varrt has control.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ross.
Van Der Varrt throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Van Der Varrt misses with a knee to the head.

Ross escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Van Der Varrt closes the distance and pushes Ross back into the cage.
Van Der Varrt has Ross pressed against the cage, preventing Ross from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Ross manages to break the clinch.
Van Der Varrt is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Van Der Varrt fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ross, pushing him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Der Varrt throws an elbow that misses.
A right handed body shot lands from Ross.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ross prevents a body shot from Van Der Varrt.

Ross breaks the clinch.

Ross tries to keep at a distance but Van Der Varrt has taken the fight into the clinch.

Ross breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Van Der Varrt closes the distance and pushes Ross back into the cage.
Ross wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Ross's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ross throws a right hand that Van Der Varrt ducks under and follows up with a left that Van Der Varrt also avoids with ease.
Van Der Varrt tries to move into range but Ross moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Van Der Varrt tries to move into range but Ross moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

Van Der Varrt closes the distance and clinches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Ross breaks the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Some bone on bone action there as Van Der Varrt checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ross gets tackled into the cage by Van Der Varrt. Van Der Varrt maintains the clinch.

Ross escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Van Der Varrt clinches with his opponent.
Tom Van Der Varrt has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A short right from Van Der Varrt.

Ross breaks from the clinch.
Van Der Varrt swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Van Der Varrt closes the distance and pushes Ross back into the cage.

Ross escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Van Der Varrt moves out of range as Ross strikes.

Van Der Varrt clinches up against the cage.
Van Der Varrt is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ross is defending well for now.

Ross escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Van Der Varrt instigates a clinch.

Ross breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ross lands a really nice looking cross but Van Der Varrt seems unphased.
Ross fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Van Der Varrt manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Varrt goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Van Der Varrt steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ross.
Ross is looking to land body kicks.
Van Der Varrt ducks right into an uppercut from Ross.

Van Der Varrt clinches up with Ross and pushes him back against the cage.
Ross is trying to break the clinch but Van Der Varrt has him pressed against the cage.
Van Der Varrt creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Tom Van Der Varrt has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Ross escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Van Der Varrt moves into the clinch.

Ross's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ross throws a good cross that connects.
Ross takes a swing at Van Der Varrt's ribcage but misses.

Van Der Varrt closes the distance and clinches.
Ross is trying to break free.

Ross breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Van Der Varrt looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ross gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Van Der Varrt lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Ross backs up against the cage.

Van Der Varrt fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ross, pushing him back against the cage.

Ross breaks from the clinch.

Ross tries to keep at a distance but Van Der Varrt has taken the fight into the clinch.

Ross breaks from the clinch.
Ross throws a right and a left that both miss.

Van Der Varrt fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ross, pushing him back against the cage.
Irvin Ross is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Ross's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Van Der Varrt's corner calls for a 1-2. Van Der Varrt obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Tom Van Der Varrt is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Van Der Varrt on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nice uppercut lands for Ross. That snapped Van Der Varrt's head back.

Van Der Varrt closes the distance and clinches.
Ross blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

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 Tom Van Der Varrt.
I think Ross has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 29:29
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!