PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Johan Von Richthofen (ranked 2290 p4p, 2697 weight class) and Thijs De Koning (ranked 313 p4p, 365 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Von Richthofen
vs
De Koning

178 cm
23
185
2 - 0 - 0

185 cm
21
189
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Johan Von Richthofen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Thijs De Koning!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Russell Pearce and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
De Koning shoots in for a double leg but Von Richthofen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Von Richthofen has closed the distance and engaged De Koning in a clinch.
Von Richthofen gets underhooks to prevent De Koning's takedown attempt.
Von Richthofen gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from De Koning.
Johan Von Richthofen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thijs De Koning.
Von Richthofen stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Our sources have told us that Von Richthofen has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Von Richthofen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Von Richthofen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Koning shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Von Richthofen but Von Richthofen pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Von Richthofen moves into the clinch successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Von Richthofen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Von Richthofen rushes De Koning and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Von Richthofen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
De Koning throws a head kick that misses.
Von Richthofen scores with a hook.
De Koning wants to clinch up but Von Richthofen keeps it at a distance.

De Koning looking to score a takedown here. Von Richthofen is defending well but De Koning drives through and ends up in Von Richthofen's guard.
De Koning trying to control the position from guard on top but Von Richthofen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
De Koning is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

De Koning is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Von Richthofen is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Von Richthofen has escaped and now he's on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Von Richthofen wanted to stand there but De Koning had control of the position.

De Koning looking for a guillotine here but Von Richthofen defends easily.
Von Richthofen wants to control from the top but De Koning keeps moving.

De Koning throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
De Koning working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Von Richthofen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Von Richthofen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
De Koning is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Von Richthofen is not content to let De Koning control the position.
Von Richthofen tries to roll over but De Koning keeps him under control.

Von Richthofen is defending against the submission attempts here by De Koning.

De Koning is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

De Koning seems to be looking for submissions.

De Koning is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Von Richthofen defends it well.
Von Richthofen is trying to stand back up but De Koning is controlling him
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Von Richthofen works his way to full guard. Good work.
De Koning trying to control but Von Richthofen is working from the bottom.

De Koning stands up and waves to Von Richthofen to follow him.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Johan Von Richthofen will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Von Richthofen takes a swing at De Koning's ribcage but misses.
De Koning throws a counter combo.

De Koning drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Von Richthofen prevents De Koning from moving into mount.
You can see the frustration on Von Richthofen's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Koning throwing strikes but Von Richthofen manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
De Koning gets back to half guard.
De Koning is trying to stand back up but Von Richthofen is controlling him
Thijs De Koning has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Koning wants to control but Von Richthofen is keeping busy and won't allow it.
De Koning might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Von Richthofen haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
De Koning has a hand on Von Richthofen's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Von Richthofen takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
De Koning is desperately trying to improve his position but Von Richthofen has a good base and remains in mount.
De Koning is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
De Koning is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Von Richthofen is staying active.
De Koning really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
De Koning is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Von Richthofen is working for a guillotine from mount but De Koning frees his head quite easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Von Richthofen manages to capitalize on a mistake by De Koning to take his back!
Von Richthofen controlling well, preventing De Koning from escaping the position.
Von Richthofen trying to control momentarily.
De Koning looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

De Koning preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Von Richthofen.
Von Richthofen cracks De Koning with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing De Koning from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Von Richthofen doesn't have the hooks in and De Koning manages to turn into his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
De Koning trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
De Koning throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Von Richthofen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Von Richthofen keeping moving, preventing De Koning from controlling successfully.

Von Richthofen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
De Koning trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Von Richthofen manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

De Koning is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

De Koning working for a triangle but Von Richthofen defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Von Richthofen throwing strikes from guard but De Koning blocks nicely.
Von Richthofen trying to control but De Koning is working from the bottom.
De Koning trying to keep a closed guard but Von Richthofen is proving a slippery customer.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

De Koning looking for a guillotine here but Von Richthofen defends easily.

De Koning working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Von Richthofen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but De Koning is tightening it up a little... Von Richthofen has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Von Richthofen reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Von Richthofen taps out! Nice BJJ there by De Koning!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Thijs De Koning!
A victorious Thijs De Koning thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.