PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dave Handerson (ranked 425 p4p, 529 weight class) and The Maan (ranked 59 p4p, 71 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Handerson
vs
Maan

198 cm
21
255
9 - 1 - 0

210 cm
28
280
7 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dave Handerson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, The Maan!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Ivan Kurochkin and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Handerson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A big right from Handerson misses.
Maan uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Handerson.
Maan ducks under a wild hook from Handerson.
Maan lands with an uppercut that bounces Handerson off the cage and back into range.
Maan lands with a cross.
Maan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Handerson.
Handerson is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Maan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Handerson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Handerson's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Maan connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Handerson scrambles back to his feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Handerson.
Maan throws out a loose jab but Handerson uses good head movement to avoid it.
The Maan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maan ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Maan looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maan just misses with a punch to the body.
Maan cracks Handerson with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Maan lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Handerson at a distance.
Maan throws a head kick that misses.
Maan lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Maan slips under a jab from Handerson.
Maan lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Maan scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Handerson doesn't seem bothered though.
Handerson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Handerson looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Maan rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Handerson counter with a right hand.
Maan connects with a nice looking jab.
Nice defenses there by Maan.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maan's jab looks to have found its range, popping Handerson under the eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Handerson misses with a shot to the body
and Maan counters with a nice body shot.
Maan catches Handerson with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Maan with a nice cross.
Handerson throws a shot from downtown. Maan moves away and avoids it.
Maan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Maan tests Handerson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Maan misses with an uppercut.
Handerson misses with a takedown
and Maan counters with a nice uppercut.
Handerson shoots in for a takedown but Maan shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dave Handerson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Handerson throws a lazy right hand but Maan sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Handerson defending well as Maan loads up on a big left hand.
Maan is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Maan coming out on top.
Handerson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The crowd cheers as Maan lands an impressive looking overhand right. Handerson doesn't seem phased though.
Maan has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Handerson takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Handerson throws a jab but it's blocked by Maan.
Maan blocks a jab.
Handerson swings for the body but Maan moves out of range.
Handerson takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Maan lands with a hook. Handerson tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Handerson is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Maan's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Handerson throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Maan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Maan misses with a double jab

and Handerson counters with a takedown into side control.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Maan taking a bit of punishment here - Handerson scoring with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Handerson is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Maan's shoulder. That is not cool.
Handerson is working Maan over with some ground and pound from side control.
Maan keeps Handerson under control for a moment.
Handerson is chipping away with strikes.
Handerson working the ground and pound.
Handerson lands an elbow.
Maan is trying to get back to half guard.
Maan is not content to let Handerson control the position.
You can see the frustration on Maan's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

The Maan dominated that round.
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.

A swing and a miss from Maan.
Handerson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Maan.
Maan on the wrong end of a nice jab.

It looks like The Maan has been cut.
Handerson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Maan.
A slow jab from Handerson misses its intended target.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Maan! But no joy.
Handerson throws a hook but Maan avoids it easily.
Handerson takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Handerson has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Handerson there as he acknowledges the shot.
Maan uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maan just misses with a punch to the body.
Handerson misses with a body shot.
Maan takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Handerson misses the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maan jabs at Handerson's body.
Handerson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Maan manages to avoid it.
Handerson looks to throw the jab but Maan is out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Maan! But no joy.
Handerson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Maan.
Maan lands a jab-cross combination.
Maan misses with a body punch
and Handerson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Maan scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Handerson doesn't seem bothered though.
Maan jabs Handerson right on the nose. Handerson blinks but takes it well.
Handerson misses with a wild body shot.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Maan! But no joy.
Maan misses with a body shot
and Handerson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Handerson is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Handerson looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maan scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Handerson looks to throw the jab but Maan is out of range.
Maan lands with an uppercut that bounces Handerson off the cage and back into range.
Maan connects with a single shot there.
Maan has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Handerson cracks Maan with a good jab.
The Maan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice jab there from Maan.
Handerson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Handerson takes one to the chin there.
Maan lunges at Handerson with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Handerson's hand.
Maan lands a nice shot that snaps Handerson's head back.
Handerson lands a slapping body shot.
No joy there for Maan, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Jab from Maan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maan just misses with a punch to the body.
A little feinted left hand from Handerson on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Maan scores with a jab.
Maan paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Maan misses with a hook
and Handerson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Handerson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice straight punches there by Maan. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Maan.
Maan throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Handerson throws a looping overhand right but Maan ducks down to avoid it.
Maan scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Handerson doesn't seem bothered though.
Handerson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Maan's jab looks to have found its range, popping Handerson under the eye.
Maan misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maan lands with an uppercut that bounces Handerson off the cage and back into range.
The Maan seems to be getting the better of the standup.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maan digs a good body shot into Handerson's ribs.
Handerson on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Maan feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Handersons jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Maan slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maan. Handerson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Maan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Maan scores with the left hand. Handerson knows he should have avoided that one.
Maan swinging wildly here.
Handerson throws a body shot but no joy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

The Maan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on The Maan's cut.
That's time! Handerson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Maan connects with a crisp jab.
Handerson lands with an overhand left.
Maan walks into a straight right hand from Handerson.
Maan connects with a jab.
A lazy left from Maan finds it's target.

Handerson throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Maan tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Handerson is in Maan's guard.
Handerson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Maan can do anything to dispel that myth.
Maan 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.
Handerson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Maan keeping moving, preventing Handerson from controlling successfully.
Handerson is looking to advance position but Maan has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Handerson regains half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Handerson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Handerson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Maan is aware though and is defending well.
Maan wants to pass the guard but Handerson is keeping the position.

Handerson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Maan defends it easily.
Handerson 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.

Maan got a little sloppy there for a moment and Handerson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Maan has managed to get both his arms back between Handerson's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Handerson lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Handerson trying to control but Maan is working from the bottom.
Handerson postures up in Maan's guard and throws a big left but Maan blocks it.
Handerson being controlled here momentarily.
Handerson trying to control but Maan is working from the bottom.
Handerson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Handerson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
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.
Handerson trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Maan manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Handerson is trying to control the position but Maan postures up.
Handerson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Maan must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Handerson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Handerson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Maan is aware though and is defending well.
Maan tries to free his leg and advance position but Handerson is retaining full guard.

Handerson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Maan is aware though and is defending well.
Maan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Handerson is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Handerson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Maan doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Maan manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Maan trying to control the position from guard on top but Handerson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Handerson is pulling down on Maan's head to control his posture.
Maan looking to pass the guard.
Handerson looking to control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Maan looking to sit in guard and control but Handerson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Handerson drops back looking for a leg! Maan is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Maan manages to kick Handerson off! Handerson jumps back into Maan's guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dave Handerson clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on The Maan's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Maan connects with a crisp jab.
Maan throws a body punch but Handerson moves out of range.
Handerson drops down looking for a counter takedown but Maan sprawls and moves away.
Maan misses with a double jab
and Handerson counters with a left to the body.
Maan connects with a right hand. Handerson shakes it off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good standup being displayed there by Handerson as he connects with a hook.
Handerson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Maan connects with a nice looking jab.
Maan lands with a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maan takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Handerson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Handerson connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Maan's hands.
Some wild striking there from Maan.
A quick step to the side and Handerson tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Handerson just misses with a punch to the body.
Handerson scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Maan lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Maan throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Handerson throws a shot from downtown. Maan moves away and avoids it.
Maan darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maan uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Handerson.
Maan is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Handerson with a body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maan misses with a hook to the body
and Handerson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nice uppercut lands for Maan. That snapped Handerson's head back.
Maan misses with a straight right.
Maan throws a body shot but no joy.
Maan has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Maan lands with a straight right. Handerson didn't see that one coming.
Maan thows a left - swing and a miss!
A swing and a miss from Maan.
Handerson swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
The fighters circle momentarily. Maan darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Maan throws a lazy right hand but Handerson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Handerson appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Maan misses with a two punch combination.
Handerson is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Handerson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Maan is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Handerson throws an overhand right that lands on Maan's shoulder, as Maan tries to avoid the shot.
Maan ducks right into an uppercut from Handerson.
Maan throws an off balance right hand
and Maan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Handerson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Maan throws a right hand that misses
and Handerson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Maan slips a straight right by Handerson.
Maan throws a jab when Handerson was well out of range.
Handerson tries to counter with a takedown but Maan is quick to defend against it.
Handerson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Maan.
Maan scores with a jab to the jaw.
A jab from Handerson misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Handerson with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Handerson with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Maan to score with a decent uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Handerson looks to land a left hand but Maan moved out of range nicely.
Nice cross by Maan.
Maan takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Maan takes a swing at Handerson's ribcage but misses.
Maan looks to score with a jab to the body but Handerson is just out of range.
Handerson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Maan.
Handerson shoots in but Maan avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Maan thuds his right hand into Handerson's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but The Maan will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on The Maan's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Maan scores with a punch to the head.
A lazy left from Maan finds it's target.
Maan slips under a jab.
Nice body punch from Handerson.
Handerson paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Maan throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Handerson stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Handerson scores with a punch to the head.
Maan lunges at Handerson with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Handerson's hand.
Maan rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Handerson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Maan ducks under a wild hook from Handerson.
Handerson looks to land a right hand but Maan moved out of range.
Maan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Handerson.
Maan looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maan moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Handerson throws a jab but it's blocked by Maan.
A swing and a miss from Handerson.
A big right from Handerson misses.
Nice defenses there by Maan.
The fighters circle momentarily. Maan darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Maan looks to throw the jab but Handerson is out of range.
The fighters circling - Maan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Handerson lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Maan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Handerson was well out of range. Poor timing from Maan.
Handerson dodges the punch combination from Maan.
It looked like Handerson was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Maan.
Dave Handerson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Handerson gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Maan.
A telegraphed right hand from Handerson misses the target.
Handerson drops his hands momentarily and Maan takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Handerson moves out of range of the strikes.
Handerson blocks a jab.
Handerson throws a shot from downtown. Maan moves away and avoids it.
Maan 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.
Handerson blocks a jab.
Maan scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maan cracks Handerson with a right hand to the side of the head.
Maan dips to his left and cracks Handerson with an uppercut!
The Maan is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Maan ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Handerson throws a jab but it's blocked by Maan.
Handerson misses with a wild body shot.
Handerson on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Handerson gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Maan throws a shot to the body.
Maan scores with a jab.
A jab from Maan does it's job there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maan misses with a body kick.
Maan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Maan paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Donk. Handerson catches Maan right on the button with a cross.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Handerson throws a right hand that misses
and Maan counters with a left to the body.
Maan lands with a shot to the body.
Handerson takes one to the chin there.
Maan lands with an uppercut that bounces Handerson off the cage and back into range.
Handerson misses the shot to the body.
Good standup being displayed there by Maan as he connects with a hook.
Handerson walks into a straight right hand from Maan.

And that's the end of the fight!
The Maan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Maan 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 46:49
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 46:49
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... The Maan!
The Maan is the new heavyweight champion!
The Maan seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.