PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Julio Cesar Sitsongrit (ranked 767 p4p, 93 weight class) and Cholo Van Gaal (ranked 882 p4p, 105 weight class). Cholo Van Gaal has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Julio Cesar Sitsongrit's chin.

Cesar Sitsongrit
vs
Van Gaal

174 cm
25
164 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

177 cm
44
158 lbs
31 - 14 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Julio Cesar Sitsongrit!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Cholo Van Gaal!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Frank Dennis and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Van Gaal connects with a body shot that sends Sitsongrit's belly button to the back.
Van Gaal lands a nice hook to Sitsongrit's body. Sitsongrit takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Van Gaal just misses with a punch to the body.
Sitsongrit drops down looking for a counter takedown but Van Gaal sprawls and moves away.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sitsongrit or perhaps it was just good defense by Van Gaal, which made it look bad.
Van Gaal digs a good hook to Sitsongrit's body.
Sitsongrit scores with a hook to the body. Van Gaal takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Van Gaal feints and then cracks Sitsongrit's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Sitsongrit down.
Sitsongrit takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Sitsongrit has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Van Gaal misses with a head kick.
Cholo Van Gaal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Sitsongrit looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Van Gaal!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sitsongrit working away.

Sitsongrit is trying to get an arm triangle but Van Gaal is defending well.

Sitsongrit decides to stand up, so the ref orders Van Gaal to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sitsongrit tries for a takedown but Van Gaal sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Van Gaal dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sitsongrit. That did some damage!

Sitsongrit throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Van Gaal tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Sitsongrit is in Van Gaal's guard.

Sitsongrit decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Sitsongrit closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Van Gaal did well to prevent Sitsongrit getting side control.

Sitsongrit is looking for a kimura but Van Gaal is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sitsongrit to get the leverage.

Sitsongrit is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Van Gaal defends it well.

Sitsongrit stands up out of the half guard.
Sitsongrit shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Van Gaal as he avoids it easily.
Van Gaal is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Julio Cesar Sitsongrit. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Van Gaal gets caught flat footed, as Sitsongrit shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Van Gaal controlling Sitsongrit's posture.

Sitsongrit gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Sitsongrit closes the distance and clinches up with Van Gaal, looking for a takedown. Sitsongrit pushes Van Gaal against the cage but Van Gaal circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Van Gaal throws a leg kick
and Sitsongrit counters with a three punch combo that has Van Gaal backing up. Van Gaal nods at Sitsongrit to acknowledge the strikes.

Van Gaal gets caught napping as Sitsongrit dives in and scores a takedown. Van Gaal manages to retain guard.

Sitsongrit is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Sitsongrit postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sitsongrit wants to pass the guard but Van Gaal is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sitsongrit throwing strikes from guard but Van Gaal blocks nicely.
Van Gaal keeping moving, preventing Sitsongrit from controlling successfully.
Sitsongrit postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sitsongrit 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.
Van Gaal keeping moving, preventing Sitsongrit from controlling successfully.
Sitsongrit sitting in guard, not really doing much.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Sitsongrit tries to free his leg and advance position but Van Gaal is retaining 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.
Sitsongrit stops Van Gaal from standing up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sitsongrit shoots for a takedown but Van Gaal saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Decent striking displayed by Van Gaal there.
Sitsongrit lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Van Gaal throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Sitsongrit misses the target.
A solid body kick from Van Gaal.
Van Gaal scores with a kick to the body.
Sitsongrit on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Van Gaal. Van Gaal obviously looking to wear him down.
Van Gaal pulls out of a head kick attempt.
An attempted straight right counter from Sitsongrit misses the target.
Sitsongrit fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Van Gaal tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sitsongrit was well out of range. Poor timing from Van Gaal.
Van Gaal slips under a jab.
Nice sprawl there from Van Gaal as Sitsongrit shoots in.
Van Gaal throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Van Gaal tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sitsongrit was well out of range. Poor timing from Van Gaal.
Van Gaal cracks Sitsongrit with a right hand to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Cholo Van Gaal will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sitsongrit fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Van Gaal avoids it really well and circles away.
Van Gaal looks to land a body kick but Sitsongrit moved away.
Van Gaal is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Sitsongrit rather than just go for the knockout.
Van Gaal buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Sitsongrit on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A head kick by Van Gaal misses

and Sitsongrit counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Sitsongrit.
Julio Cesar Sitsongrit overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Van Gaal keeping moving, preventing Sitsongrit from controlling successfully.
Sitsongrit pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Van Gaal is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Van Gaal pulls Sitsongrit in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sitsongrit decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Van Gaal staying out of range there.
A thudding body kick lands there by Van Gaal!

Sitsongrit decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Van Gaal has one foot on Sitsongrit's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Van Gaal displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sitsongrit.
Sitsongrit tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Van Gaal defends well and Sitsongrit ends up having to push Van Gaal into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Julio Cesar Sitsongrit. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Van Gaal scores with a crisp jab that stopped Sitsongrit in his tracks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Van Gaal lands a nice looking body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Gaal connects with a leg kick. Sitsongrit looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Van Gaal tests Sitsongrit's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Van Gaal throws a quick inside leg kick.
Sitsongrit shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Van Gaal as he jumps to the side.
Van Gaal has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sitsongrit shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Van Gaal sprawls well. Van Gaal wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sitsongrit gets slowly back to his feet.
Sitsongrit fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Van Gaal avoids it really well and circles away.
Van Gaal throws a jab when Sitsongrit was well out of range.
Sitsongrit tries to counter with a takedown but Van Gaal is quick to defend against it.
Van Gaal darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Van Gaal lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Van Gaal stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Van Gaal wants it to stay on the feet.
Van Gaal now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sitsongrit on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Van Gaal. Van Gaal obviously looking to wear him down.
Van Gaal feints and then cracks Sitsongrit's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Sitsongrit down.
Van Gaal fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Sitsongrit ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Sitsongrit.
Sitsongrit jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Van Gaal ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sitsongrit moves away.
Van Gaal fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Sitsongrit is out of range.
Sitsongrit appears to be looking for a big counter.
Van Gaal throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Van Gaal throws a leg kick which misses Sitsongrit's front leg but catches the back leg as Sitsongrit tries to avoid it.
Van Gaal throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Sitsongrit is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
No luck for Sitsongrit with that takedown attempt.
Sitsongrit drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Sitsongrit shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Van Gaal as he avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Gaal misses with an uppercut. Sitsongrit saw that one coming.
Van Gaal throws a nice inside leg kick.
Cholo Van Gaal seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Van Gaal tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sitsongrit was well out of range. Poor timing from Van Gaal.
Sitsongrit throwing a counter right hand but Van Gaal manages to avoid it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sitsongrit moves out of range of the strikes.
Van Gaal stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Van Gaal wants it to stay on the feet.
Sitsongrit fails with a takedown attempt.
Cholo Van Gaal is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice body punch from Van Gaal.

Sitsongrit closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Sitsongrit lands in his opponent's guard.
Van Gaal controlling Sitsongrit's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cholo Van Gaal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Van Gaal lands a nice hook to Sitsongrit's body. Sitsongrit takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Van Gaal throws a low kick but Sitsongrit avoids it.
Van Gaal throws a nice inside leg kick.
Sitsongrit tries to score a power double leg takedown but Van Gaal sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sitsongrit somewhat.
Van Gaal lands a nice leg kick that just misses Sitsongrit's sensitive parts.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Van Gaal looks to score with a jab to the body but Sitsongrit is just out of range.
Sitsongrit fails with a takedown attempt.
Sitsongrit on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sitsongrit will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Julio Cesar Sitsongrit. That's going to take a lot out of him.
An inside leg kick lands from Van Gaal.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Van Gaal.
Van Gaal throws a nice outside leg kick.
Van Gaal delivers a nice body kick.
Van Gaal fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sitsongrit has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Sitsongrit moves out of range of the body kick from Van Gaal.
A decent looking cross lands there for Van Gaal.
Van Gaal feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sitsongrit's calf.
Sitsongrit tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Van Gaal fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sitsongrit or perhaps it was just good defense by Van Gaal, which made it look bad.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Van Gaal missing with a left hand there. Sitsongrit was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
It looked like Sitsongrit wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sitsongrit swings for the body but Van Gaal moves out of range.
Sitsongrit on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Good leg kick by Van Gaal there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Van Gaal fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sitsongrit has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Sitsongrit fails to land with a series of punches.
Van Gaal's corner calls for a 1-2. Van Gaal obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

It looks like Julio Cesar Sitsongrit has been cut.
Van Gaal looks to score with a jab to the body but Sitsongrit is just out of range.
Sitsongrit chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Van Gaal can pounce on him.
Sitsongrit takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Van Gaal throws a jab but it's blocked by Sitsongrit.
A leg kick checked by Sitsongrit.
Van Gaal ducks under a wild hook from Sitsongrit.
Van Gaal connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Sitsongrit checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Van Gaal throws a jab but it's blocked by Sitsongrit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Gaal wants to clinch.
Van Gaal misses with a body shot.
Van Gaal displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sitsongrit.
Van Gaal ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sitsongrit moves away.
Sitsongrit feinted with a counter takedown.
Julio Cesar Sitsongrit has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A looping hook to the body misses from Van Gaal. Sitsongrit does a little dance to reset his feet.
Van Gaal lands a body shot.
Van Gaal jabs at Sitsongrit's body.
Good leg kick by Van Gaal there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Sitsongrit closes this distance looking for a takedown but Van Gaal circles away.
Cholo Van Gaal is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sitsongrit blocks a head kick by Van Gaal.
Sitsongrit tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Van Gaal swivels and escapes.
Sitsongrit is trying hard to land a takedown here. Van Gaal sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Gaal lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Van Gaal ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Sitsongrit takes a kick to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Van Gaal turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

Van Gaal clinches.
Van Gaal lands with a light punch inside.
Van Gaal tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Sitsongrit jumps guard but Van Gaal turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Van Gaal throws a head punch that misses.
Sitsongrit tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Van Gaal just stands there and leans against the cage.
Sitsongrit blocks an uppercut.
Sitsongrit is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Van Gaal is defending well.
Van Gaal softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Van Gaal throws a head punch that misses.
Sitsongrit misses with a punch to the body.
Sitsongrit works on Van Gaal's body with a couple of short punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cholo Van Gaal comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Van Gaal 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 26:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 26:30

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