PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Wilmer Oliver (ranked 25082 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luuk De Graeff (ranked 7570 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Oliver
vs
De Graeff

220 cm
18
193 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

180 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

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 Amsterdam, Wilmer Oliver!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Luuk De Graeff!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Daniel Blasius and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

De Graeff closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

De Graeff breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Oliver manages to get an easy takedown there - catching De Graeff on his heels. He'll look to pass De Graeff's guard now, I'm sure.
Oliver throws a big right hand that misses.
De Graeff is controlling Oliver's posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Oliver prevents De Graeff from getting back to his feet.
Oliver will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
De Graeff preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Oliver has gone for a leg lock! De Graeff slips out almost immediately though and dives into Oliver's guard.

De Graeff really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Oliver. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Oliver 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Graeff throwing strikes from guard but Oliver blocks nicely.
De Graeff distracts Oliver with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oliver looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
De Graeff throws an elbow that misses. Oliver uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in De Graeff's guard. Nice move by Oliver!

De Graeff kicks Oliver off and gets to his feet.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that De Graeff has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
De Graeff connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

It looks like Wilmer Oliver has been cut.
De Graeff tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Oliver paws at him with a jab and circles away.

De Graeff moves into range and clinches up with Oliver.
Oliver stalling the fight.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Oliver tightens his grip and picks De Graeff up, before dumping him to the ground. De Graeff manages to land in guard.

De Graeff is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Oliver defends well.
De Graeff looks winded!
De Graeff manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Oliver manages to get himself to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Oliver trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Oliver doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Oliver trying to control the position.
Oliver trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Oliver thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Oliver is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Oliver is looking to stand up but he'll have to free his leg first. Instead, De Graeff manages to get to full guard.
De Graeff looking to hit a scissor sweep but Oliver is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oliver wants to get up but he can't break De Graeff's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Oliver postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if De Graeff can do anything to dispel that myth.
Oliver in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
De Graeff utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Oliver throws a strike but De Graeff rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

De Graeff trying to control the position from guard on top but Oliver is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Oliver bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in De Graeff's guard.

De Graeff has a closed guard, preventing Oliver from standing up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oliver postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Oliver in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Oliver throwing strikes but missing.
Oliver trying to control the position from guard on top but De Graeff is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Oliver lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
De Graeff is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Oliver postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! De Graeff is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Oliver, into his guard.

Oliver trying to keep a closed guard but De Graeff is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Luuk De Graeff will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Wilmer Oliver's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

De Graeff takes the fight into the clinch.

De Graeff manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
De Graeff has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
De Graeff keeping moving, preventing Oliver from controlling successfully.

Oliver drops back looking for a leg! De Graeff is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and De Graeff manages to kick Oliver off! Oliver jumps back into De Graeff's guard.
Oliver is looking to stand up but De Graeff won't let him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Graeff is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oliver in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Luuk De Graeff has got the better of the ground game so far.

Oliver gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
De Graeff is breathing heavily.
Oliver goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
De Graeff stuffs the takedown.
De Graeff swings for the body but Oliver moves out of range.
De Graeff tries a head kick but it misses.
As De Graeff looks to move away, Oliver throws a big counter combo but De Graeff just gets out of the way.
De Graeff misses with a series of wild punches.

Oliver darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Oliver not doing much here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Graeff is looking to escape.
Oliver missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Oliver passes into side control, despite De Graeff's attempt to control the position.

Oliver stands up and beckons De Graeff to his feet.

De Graeff closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Oliver keeping hold of De Graeff's head, controlling as best he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oliver moves into full guard.
De Graeff stopping the sweep attempt from Oliver.
De Graeff working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
De Graeff slips nicely into half guard.
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. De Graeff connects with a nice short shot to Oliver's temple.
De Graeff is trying to control. Oliver wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
De Graeff missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Oliver trying to control here.

De Graeff is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
De Graeff thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Oliver is trying to maintain the position but De Graeff is very close to passing his half guard.
Oliver trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but De Graeff manages to pass to mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luuk De Graeff showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Wilmer Oliver's cut.
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. This is the final round!

De Graeff gets caught flat footed, as Oliver shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

De Graeff pushes Oliver off and scrambles back to his feet.
De Graeff shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
As De Graeff backs away, Oliver returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Oliver fakes a jab and throws a low kick but De Graeff checks it well.
De Graeff wants to counter the offense by Oliver and move into the clinch position.
De Graeff slaps away a takedown attempt from Oliver, before circling back to the center of the mat.
De Graeff fails with an attempt to clinch.
Oliver fails with a takedown attempt.

De Graeff rushes Oliver and presses him up against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
De Graeff works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's one minute gone in the round.

De Graeff's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
De Graeff stuffs the takedown attempt from Oliver. Oliver gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wilmer Oliver. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Oliver shoots in for a takedown but De Graeff shows good takedown defense.

De Graeff has taken the fight to the clinch.
De Graeff dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
De Graeff controlling the action here for a moment.
Oliver misses with the head strike.

De Graeff breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Oliver cracks De Graeff with a right hand to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oliver gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and De Graeff counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
De Graeff scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Oliver has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. De Graeff is working away from the top position though.
De Graeff slows the pace down in half guard.
Oliver is not content to let De Graeff control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oliver wants to control but De Graeff is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Oliver is pressing down on De Graeff's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
De Graeff working some strikes from top position.
De Graeff wants to pass the guard but Oliver is keeping the position.
Oliver throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Oliver wants to sweep here but De Graeff controlling him for the moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

De Graeff darts in and clinches Oliver up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

De Graeff manages to break the clinch.

De Graeff closes the distance and clinches.

De Graeff manages to break the clinch.
Oliver shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. De Graeff defends it nicely.

De Graeff closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Luuk De Graeff is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
De Graeff lands with a short shot to the head.
Wilmer Oliver has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

De Graeff breaks the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luuk De Graeff comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well De Graeff has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 27:30
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luuk De Graeff!
As Luuk De Graeff got his breath back, he grabbed the microphone and managed to blurt out the following: Je voudrais remercier mon manager, mon coach et tout le staff. Merci a tout mes fans d'avoir assister au combat'.