PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Robin Kluivert (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Morten Joikhaaja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Robin Kluivert could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Morten Joikhaaja's chin.

Kluivert
vs
Joikhaaja

182 cm
27
183 lbs
12 - 12 - 0

173 cm
27
185 lbs
14 - 14 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Good knees
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition

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 12 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Robin Kluivert!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Morten Joikhaaja!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Joikhaaja uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kluivert.
Joikhaaja tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kluivert sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Joikhaaja somewhat.

Joikhaaja shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Kluivert keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Joikhaaja not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Joikhaaja landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Joikhaaja moves into full mount! Kluivert won't be happy about that!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kluivert is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Joikhaaja avoids the attempt from Kluivert to control.
Kluivert slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Joikhaaja lands strikes from half guard.
Joikhaaja missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kluivert regains full guard. Nicely done.
Joikhaaja throwing strikes from guard but Kluivert blocks nicely.
Kluivert trying to control the position.
Joikhaaja working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Joikhaaja trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kluivert is trying to keep Joikhaaja in close.
Joikhaaja throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kluivert works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kluivert managing to control the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Joikhaaja accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Kluivert looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Joikhaaja's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Kluivert escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Joikhaaja gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Joikhaaja lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joikhaaja trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kluivert utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kluivert is trying to control the position but Joikhaaja postures up.
Joikhaaja tries to free his leg and advance position but Kluivert is retaining full guard.
Kluivert managing to control the position.
Kluivert preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Kluivert looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Joikhaaja must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kluivert avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Kluivert working for a triangle but Joikhaaja defends it easily.
Joikhaaja throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kluivert is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Joikhaaja wants to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kluivert wants to control but Joikhaaja is keeping him busy.
Joikhaaja wants to get back to full guard.
Kluivert wants to take a breather but Joikhaaja is having none of it.
Joikhaaja keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Joikhaaja slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Kluivert drops back looking for a leg! Joikhaaja is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Joikhaaja manages to kick Kluivert off! Kluivert jumps back into Joikhaaja's guard.
Joikhaaja controlling the position.
Kluivert postures up.
Kluivert won't allow Joikhaaja to sweep him here.
Joikhaaja pulls Kluivert in close to prevent any damage.
Kluivert preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kluivert thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kluivert stands and throws Joikhaaja's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Kluivert is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Joikhaaja knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Kluivert trying to control the position but Joikhaaja is working away.
Joikhaaja is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Kluivert's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Joikhaaja wants to control but Kluivert is keeping busy.
The fighters are battling for position here. Joikhaaja manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Morten Joikhaaja dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kluivert fails to land the takedown.

Joikhaaja shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Kluivert's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Joikhaaja scoring with punches to the head and body.

Kluivert is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Joikhaaja is aware though and is defending well.
Joikhaaja working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Joikhaaja postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Joikhaaja keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kluivert's head.

Kluivert has his foot on Joikhaaja's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Joikhaaja works his way back into a safe position though.
Kluivert is pulling down on Joikhaaja's head. It's preventing any offense from Joikhaaja, at least for the moment.
Joikhaaja postures up and lands a big shot to Kluivert's brow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joikhaaja is working Kluivert over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kluivert looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Joikhaaja working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joikhaaja postures up and lands a big shot to Kluivert's brow.
Morten Joikhaaja has got the better of the ground game so far.
Joikhaaja stopping the sweep attempt from Kluivert.
Joikhaaja cracks Kluivert with a solid left hand.
Kluivert is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Joikhaaja lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Joikhaaja with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Joikhaaja works over Kluivert with some ground and pound from guard.
Joikhaaja in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kluivert not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Joikhaaja loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Joikhaaja with a nice head shot there.
Joikhaaja throwing strikes but missing.
Joikhaaja won't allow Kluivert to sweep him here.
Joikhaaja lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Joikhaaja is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Joikhaaja chips away with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kluivert is looking for a triangle but Joikhaaja pushes his legs off easily.
Kluivert trying to control the position.
Kluivert wants to get back to his feet but Joikhaaja is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Kluivert escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Joikhaaja gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Kluivert is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Joikhaaja scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Joikhaaja landing some decent shots from guard.
Joikhaaja with a flurry of punches that miss.

Kluivert throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Joikhaaja lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joikhaaja cracks Kluivert with a solid left hand.
Kluivert trying to control the position.
Joikhaaja throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Joikhaaja's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Kluivert has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Joikhaaja is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kluivert utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Joikhaaja postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Joikhaaja's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Joikhaaja is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Kluivert avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Joikhaaja is working Kluivert over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kluivert is trying to keep Joikhaaja in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joikhaaja stands up over Kluivert, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Kluivert bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Joikhaaja's guard.

Joikhaaja lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Kluivert is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Kluivert is trying to keep Joikhaaja in close.
Kluivert working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Joikhaaja.
Joikhaaja scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kluivert is pulling down on Joikhaaja's head to control his posture.
Joikhaaja lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Kluivert is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Morten Joikhaaja showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Joikhaaja shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kluivert as he jumps to the side.
Joikhaaja closes the distance and clinches up with Kluivert, looking for a takedown. Joikhaaja pushes Kluivert against the cage but Kluivert circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kluivert throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Joikhaaja's waist but Joikhaaja gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kluivert off to one side.
Joikhaaja fails with a takedown attempt.
Robin Kluivert has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Morten Joikhaaja.

Kluivert tries to keep at a distance but Joikhaaja has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kluivert prevents the takedown attempt.
Joikhaaja wants a takedown but no success here.
Kluivert is pushing Joikhaaja up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joikhaaja is trying to drag Kluivert to the mat but Kluivert just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Kluivert prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kluivert has Joikhaaja pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Kluivert pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Joikhaaja tumbling to the mat - Kluivert dives into Joikhaaja's guard.
Kluivert trying to control the position from guard on top but Joikhaaja is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Joikhaaja bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kluivert's guard.

Kluivert trying to control the position.
Kluivert manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Joikhaaja manages to get himself to full guard.

Kluivert pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Joikhaaja is keeping the position for now.
Joikhaaja wants to sweep but no luck.
Kluivert wants to stand but Joikhaaja has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Kluivert passes Joikhaaja's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joikhaaja moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Joikhaaja keeping moving, preventing Kluivert from controlling successfully.
Kluivert stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Joikhaaja swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kluivert trying to control the position from guard on top but Joikhaaja is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kluivert passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Kluivert wants to lay and pray for a moment but Joikhaaja keeps working.
Joikhaaja tries to bench press Kluivert off him but Kluivert keeps the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Joikhaaja is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Kluivert is looking for a kimura but Joikhaaja is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kluivert to get the leverage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joikhaaja is trying to control but can't.
Joikhaaja tries to get to full guard but Kluivert has control of the leg.
Joikhaaja trying to control from the bottom.

Kluivert seems to be looking for submissions.
Joikhaaja preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Kluivert prevents Joikhaaja from improving his position.
Joikhaaja is looking to control Kluivert's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Joikhaaja avoid being mounted?

Kluivert is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Joikhaaja gets full guard.

That's four 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.
Joikhaaja wants to sweep but no luck.

Kluivert stands and steps away. Joikhaaja gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Joikhaaja shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Robin Kluivert has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Joikhaaja works over Kluivert with some ground and pound from guard.
Kluivert looking for a sweep. Not yet Kluivert, not yet.
Joikhaaja content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kluivert trying to control the position.
Kluivert has momentary wrist control but Joikhaaja slips an elbow through the middle.
Kluivert trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Joikhaaja is in close to Kluivert's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kluivert wants to stand up but Joikhaaja is controlling him.
Joikhaaja stopping the sweep attempt from Kluivert.
Morten Joikhaaja is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Kluivert working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Joikhaaja doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Joikhaaja manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Joikhaaja is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

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 Kluivert.
I think Joikhaaja 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Morten Joikhaaja!