PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vinod Zaaijer (ranked 7270 p4p, 247 weight class) and Ragnar Lotbrook (ranked 5798 p4p, 208 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Zaaijer
vs
Lotbrook

211 cm
25
277 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
25
278 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vinod Zaaijer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ragnar Lotbrook!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Thiago Cunha and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zaaijer throws a series of punches but Lotbrook avoids them all with ease.
Lotbrook shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Zaaijer sprawls well. Zaaijer wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lotbrook gets slowly back to his feet.
Zaaijer tries to counter with a takedown but Lotbrook is quick to defend against it.
Zaaijer misses with a kick to the body.

Zaaijer instigates a clinch.

Lotbrook decides to pull guard.

Zaaijer stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Lotbrook throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zaaijer's waist but Zaaijer gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lotbrook off to one side.
Zaaijer shoots in but Lotbrook avoids the takedown attempt easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Zaaijer tries to keep at a distance but Lotbrook has taken the fight into the clinch.
Zaaijer tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Lotbrook smiles and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaaijer fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Zaaijer shoots in and drives through. Lotbrook sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vinod Zaaijer. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Lotbrook clinches up with Zaaijer and pushes him back against the cage.
Zaaijer has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Lotbrook has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Zaaijer avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Lotbrook goes for a takedown in the clinch but Zaaijer prevents it.
Zaaijer jumps guard but Lotbrook turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Lotbrook jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Zaaijer walks away with a smile on his face. Lotbrook gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Horrible takedown attempt by Zaaijer or perhaps it was just good defense by Lotbrook, which made it look bad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lotbrook shoots in for a takedown but Zaaijer shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Lotbrook doesn't manage to clinch there - Zaaijer circles away.
Lotbrook lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zaaijer circles away quickly and effectively.
Lotbrook shoots in looking for a takedown but Zaaijer manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lotbrook's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Zaaijer looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lotbrook is fending him off so far but Zaaijer persists. Nope, Lotbrook circles away and we're back to standing.
Lotbrook let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Zaaijer looks to land a combination but Lotbrook avoids it well.
Lotbrook is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

Zaaijer moves into range and clinches up with Lotbrook.
Lotbrook jumps guard but Zaaijer turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Zaaijer letting Lotbrook take a breather here.
Lotbrook tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Zaaijer just stands there and leans against the cage.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaaijer throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lotbrook wants to counter the offense by Zaaijer and move into the clinch position.
Zaaijer looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Zaaijer has taken the fight to the clinch.

Lotbrook breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Zaaijer tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lotbrook tries to clinch but Zaaijer moves out of range.
Zaaijer feinted with a counter takedown.
Zaaijer tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zaaijer shoots in and drives through. Lotbrook sprawls well.
Zaaijer tries to clinch up.
Lotbrook lands a slapping body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lotbrook instigates a clinch.
Zaaijer tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Lotbrook smiles and moves away.
Zaaijer is breathing heavily.
Zaaijer slaps away a takedown attempt from Lotbrook, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Zaaijer stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Zaaijer wants it to stay on the feet.
Lotbrook stuffs the takedown attempt from Zaaijer. Zaaijer gets slowly back to his feet.
Lotbrook closes the distance and clinches up with Zaaijer, looking for a takedown. Lotbrook pushes Zaaijer against the cage but Zaaijer circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lotbrook is defended easily by Zaaijer.
Zaaijer keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
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 Vinod Zaaijer 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.

Lotbrook shoots in for a takedown but Zaaijer shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Lotbrook defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zaaijer.
Zaaijer keeps the fight on the outside.
Lotbrook with a lazy takedown attempt

and Zaaijer holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Lotbrook is defending well against a takedown attempt.
A head punch on the inside from Lotbrook fails to land.
Lotbrook goes for a takedown in the clinch but Zaaijer prevents it.
Vinod Zaaijer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ragnar Lotbrook.
Lotbrook is pressed up against the cage. Zaaijer has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Lotbrook down to the mat. Lotbrook avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaaijer throws a right and a left that Lotbrook avoids nicely.
Lotbrook shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Zaaijer defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lotbrook keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Lotbrook dives in for a single leg takedown but Zaaijer sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Zaaijer tries to clinch but Lotbrook moves out of range.
Zaaijer shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Lotbrook but Lotbrook pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Zaaijer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lotbrook gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Zaaijer counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Zaaijer.
Zaaijer jumps guard but Lotbrook stands there with Zaaijer around his waist. Zaaijer gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Lotbrook has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Zaaijer regains guard immediately.
Lotbrook is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lotbrook wants to stand but Zaaijer has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Zaaijer looking for a sweep. Not yet Zaaijer, not yet.

Zaaijer looking for a guillotine here but Lotbrook defends easily.
Zaaijer lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaaijer wants to control from the top but Lotbrook keeps moving.

Lotbrook working for a triangle but Zaaijer defends it easily.
Lotbrook trying to control the position.
Zaaijer is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Zaaijer trying to control but Lotbrook is working from the bottom.
Zaaijer sitting in guard here, content to control.

Lotbrook is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Zaaijer fails in his attempt to clinch.
Zaaijer tries for a takedown but Lotbrook circles away easily

and Lotbrook moves into the clinch.
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 Vinod Zaaijer will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Zaaijer fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Lotbrook is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Vinod Zaaijer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lotbrook fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Zaaijer is out of range.
Lotbrook blocks a head kick by Zaaijer.
Lotbrook shoots in for a double leg but Zaaijer sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lotbrook shoots in for a takedown but Zaaijer shows good takedown defense.
Zaaijer slaps away a takedown attempt from Lotbrook, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Vinod Zaaijer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ragnar Lotbrook.
Lotbrook blocks a head kick by Zaaijer.

Zaaijer forces Lotbrook back against the cage and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lotbrook is trying to pull guard but Zaaijer has him pressed against the cage.
Zaaijer is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Zaaijer tries to pull guard but Lotbrook forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Zaaijer breaks the clinch.
Vinod Zaaijer is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaaijer keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
As Lotbrook looks to move away, Zaaijer throws a big counter combo but Lotbrook just gets out of the way.
Lotbrook takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Zaaijer clinches.
Zaaijer slows down the pace here.

Zaaijer pulls guard successfully.
Lotbrook preventing the sweep.
Zaaijer is working hard here to advance position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zaaijer is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lotbrook 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.
Zaaijer trying to control the position from guard on top but Lotbrook is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zaaijer's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Lotbrook looking to control but Zaaijer passes into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lotbrook trying to control but Zaaijer postures up.
Zaaijer is controlling the pace.
Lotbrook tries to get to full guard but Zaaijer has control of the leg.
Zaaijer wants to pass to mount but Lotbrook is defending the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Zaaijer not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Zaaijer will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Zaaijer is looking for a kimura here.
Lotbrook punching from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Zaaijer darts in looking for a takedown but Lotbrook gets double underhooks and turns Zaaijer into the cage.
Zaaijer tries a low kick but Lotbrook avoids it.
Ragnar Lotbrook has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vinod Zaaijer is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Zaaijer fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vinod Zaaijer showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Zaaijer has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:28
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vinod Zaaijer!