PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Robin Kluivert (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Engelbreckt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Engelbreckt has chosen If I had a heart as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Kluivert
vs
Engelbreckt

182 cm
25
183 lbs
9 - 8 - 0

180 cm
26
185 lbs
3 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Good knees
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Robin Kluivert!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alexander Engelbreckt!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Daniel Blasius and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kluivert darts in looking for a takedown but Engelbreckt gets double underhooks and turns Kluivert into the cage.
Kluivert doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Engelbreckt counters with a left to the body.
Kluivert shoots in looking for a takedown but Engelbreckt manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kluivert's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robin Kluivert. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kluivert cracks a nice hook into Engelbreckt's ribs.
Engelbreckt tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kluivert paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kluivert has his takedown stuffed

and Engelbreckt counters by clinching up.

Engelbreckt jumps guard and drags Kluivert to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Kluivert working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Engelbreckt has control of Kluivert's left arm, preventing Kluivert from doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kluivert accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kluivert trying to control but Engelbreckt is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kluivert trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kluivert seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Kluivert trying to control the position from guard on top but Engelbreckt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kluivert trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Engelbreckt is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kluivert defends well.
Engelbreckt is adopting a defensive guard.
Kluivert sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Engelbreckt's guard.
Kluivert 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kluivert not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Kluivert is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Engelbreckt has managed to free his arm - good work.
Engelbreckt is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kluivert trying to pass the guard but Engelbreckt defending well.
Kluivert trying to control the action but Engelbreckt is working from the bottom.
Kluivert tries to pass the half guard into mount. Engelbreckt knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Kluivert is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kluivert is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Engelbreckt keeps control of the position for the meantime.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Kluivert looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kluivert shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Engelbreckt defends it nicely.
Kluivert shoots in looking for a takedown but Engelbreckt manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kluivert's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kluivert darts in looking for a takedown but Engelbreckt gets double underhooks and turns Kluivert into the cage.
Nice takedown defense from Engelbreckt. No joy for Kluivert on that attempt.
Engelbreckt tries to clinch there but Kluivert circles away.
Engelbreckt stuffs the takedown.
Kluivert is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Engelbreckt is looking to clinch but Kluivert is avoiding it.
Some bone on bone action there as Engelbreckt checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Engelbreckt is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Kluivert misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kluivert looks for the body kick but Engelbreckt saw that one coming.
Kluivert swats away the attempt to clinch by Engelbreckt.
Kluivert half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Kluivert avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kluivert tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Engelbreckt defends well and Kluivert ends up having to push Engelbreckt into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Engelbreckt is looking to clinch but Kluivert is avoiding it.
Engelbreckt throws a series of punches but Kluivert moves out of range.
Kluivert fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Engelbreckt let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Engelbreckt moves out of range of the body kick.
Kluivert shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Engelbreckt as he avoids it easily.
Kluivert shoots for a double leg takedown but Engelbreckt sprawls well. He's pushed Kluivert's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Engelbreckt is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Kluivert shoots in looking for a takedown but Engelbreckt manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kluivert's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Engelbreckt buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kluivert keeps the fight on the outside.
Kluivert chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Engelbreckt can pounce on him.
Kluivert misses with a takedown attempt - Engelbreckt sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Good exchange - Engelbreckt coming out on top.
Kluivert fails with a takedown attempt.

Engelbreckt has closed the distance and engaged Kluivert in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kluivert wants to take the fight to the mat but Engelbreckt manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robin Kluivert. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kluivert goes for a takedown attempt but Engelbreckt pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
A punch combination from Engelbreckt misses.
Kluivert attempts a counter takedown but Engelbreckt avoids it well and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Engelbreckt scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Engelbreckt closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Engelbreckt prevents the takedown attempt.

Engelbreckt breaks the clinch.
Alexander Engelbreckt seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Engelbreckt has Kluivert up against the cage in a clinch.
Kluivert drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Engelbreckt gets the underhooks and prevents it.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Engelbreckt creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Kluivert pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kluivert shoots in and drives through. Engelbreckt sprawls well.
Kluivert is looking to score with low kicks.
Kluivert shoots in and drives through. Engelbreckt sprawls well.
Engelbreckt's coach down at Javi´ Corner was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Engelbreckt's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Alexander Engelbreckt is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Engelbreckt's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Engelbreckt duly obliges.

It looks like Robin Kluivert has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Engelbreckt cracks Kluivert with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kluivert tries to work over Engelbreckt's front leg with a kick but Engelbreckt checks it.
Engelbreckt counters with a body kick.
Kluivert shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Engelbreckt as he jumps to the side.
Kluivert fails with a takedown attempt.
Kluivert fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Engelbreckt checks it well.
Engelbreckt moves in looking to clinch but Kluivert pushes him off.
Engelbreckt stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Engelbreckt wants it to stay on the feet.

Engelbreckt gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Kluivert has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Engelbreckt is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Engelbreckt landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Engelbreckt has Kluivert pressed against the cage, preventing Kluivert from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kluivert's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A right handed body shot lands from Engelbreckt.
I was talking to Kluivert's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Engelbreckt with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A left hand lands to the body for Engelbreckt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Engelbreckt lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

Engelbreckt breaks the clinch.
Engelbreckt lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Engelbreckt has managed to clinch.
A body shot lands from Engelbreckt.
Kluivert is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Engelbreckt taking a breather.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Kluivert fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Engelbreckt working Kluivert over with knees to the body.

Engelbreckt breaks from the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Engelbreckt looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Robin Kluivert seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Engelbreckt scores with a sloppy right hand. Kluivert should have avoided that one.
Kluivert will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Engelbreckt cracks Kluivert with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Engelbreckt clinches with his opponent.
Kluivert drops down looking for an ankle pick but Engelbreckt pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kluivert fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Engelbreckt misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Engelbreckt.
Kluivert shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Engelbreckt sprawls well. Engelbreckt wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kluivert gets slowly back to his feet.
Engelbreckt throws a sloppy head kick and Kluivert moves out of range easily.

Engelbreckt rushes Kluivert and presses him up against the cage.

Engelbreckt breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Engelbreckt throws a low kick but Kluivert moves out of range easily.
Engelbreckt ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Engelbreckt showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Robin Kluivert's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Engelbreckt tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kluivert drops down looking for a counter takedown but Engelbreckt sprawls and moves away.
Kluivert misses with a takedown attempt - Engelbreckt sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Engelbreckt throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

Engelbreckt clinches with his opponent.
Engelbreckt lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Engelbreckt has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Kluivert turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Kluivert manages to end up in side control.
Kluivert throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Engelbreckt dodges the ground and pound from Kluivert.
Kluivert wants to control but Engelbreckt is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Engelbreckt wants to control but Kluivert postures up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kluivert wants to lay and pray for a moment but Engelbreckt keeps working.

Kluivert is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Engelbreckt is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Engelbreckt can't do much from the bottom here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Engelbreckt is not content to let Kluivert control the position.
Engelbreckt struggling a bit here.

Kluivert is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Engelbreckt has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Kluivert wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Engelbreckt, who protects the arm well.
You can see the frustration on Engelbreckt's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Engelbreckt tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Engelbreckt struggling a bit here.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Kluivert is trying to get an arm triangle but Engelbreckt is defending well.
Robin Kluivert overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kluivert misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Engelbreckt can't do much from the bottom here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Engelbreckt defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kluivert.
Kluivert dives in and grabs Engelbreckt's left leg, looking for a takedown. Engelbreckt pushes down on Kluivert's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robin Kluivert. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kluivert gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kluivert takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Engelbreckt throws a nice inside leg kick.

Engelbreckt gets a clinch.
Nice elbow from Engelbreckt.
Engelbreckt lands a right hand.

Engelbreckt escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kluivert shoots in for a takedown but Engelbreckt shows good takedown defense.
Engelbreckt tries to clinch but Kluivert is having none of it.
Kluivert fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Alexander Engelbreckt is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Engelbreckt scores with a sloppy right hand. Kluivert should have avoided that one.
Robin Kluivert has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Engelbreckt closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kluivert to the mat! Kluivert manages to get full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Kluivert is looking for a triangle here but Engelbreckt uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Engelbreckt slows the pace down.
Engelbreckt trying to control the action but Kluivert is working from the bottom.
Kluivert being controlled for a moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Engelbreckt comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Engelbreckt winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Wagner Zegers scores the fight 26:30
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 26:30
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Engelbreckt!
During a confident post fight interview, Alexander Engelbreckt thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.