PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Maria Mariaaaaaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Valentijn Overeem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mariaaaaaa comes to the cage accompanied by LORD OF THE RINGS. Maria Mariaaaaaa has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Mariaaaaaa
vs
Overeem

188 cm
25
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

193 cm
26
239 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Maria Mariaaaaaa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Valentijn Overeem!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Albert Achterberg and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Overeem closes the distance and clinches up with Mariaaaaaa, looking for a takedown. Overeem pushes Mariaaaaaa against the cage but Mariaaaaaa circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Mariaaaaaa shoots for a takedown but Overeem saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Mariaaaaaa shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Overeem pinned against the cage. Overeem gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Overeem stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Overeem wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maria Mariaaaaaa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mariaaaaaa will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Overeem shoots in for a double leg but Mariaaaaaa sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mariaaaaaa tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Overeem swivels and escapes.
Mariaaaaaa fails to land the takedown.
Mariaaaaaa shoots in for a double leg but Overeem sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mariaaaaaa is breathing heavily.

Overeem shoots in and bounces Mariaaaaaa off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Overeem is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Overeem trying to control but Mariaaaaaa is working from the bottom.
Overeem trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Mariaaaaaa looking for subs off his back but Overeem has passed one foot through into half guard.

Mariaaaaaa actively working from the bottom here.
Overeem prevents Mariaaaaaa from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Overeem is controlling the pace.
Mariaaaaaa is trying to get back to full guard.
Overeem controlling the pace.

Mariaaaaaa looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Overeem thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Mariaaaaaa's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mariaaaaaa with the active half guard here but Overeem passes nicely into side control.
Mariaaaaaa could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Mariaaaaaa sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Overeem thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Mariaaaaaa's head.
Mariaaaaaa is trying to stand.
Overeem lands with a punch from half guard.
Mariaaaaaa is trying to control but can't.

Mariaaaaaa looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Overeem is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mariaaaaaa doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Overeem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mariaaaaaa is looking to get back to full guard here but Overeem has managed to pass to side control instead.
Overeem is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mariaaaaaa is trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valentijn Overeem dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Mariaaaaaa misses with a takedown

and Overeem counters with a nice double leg into side control. Mariaaaaaa won't be happy with that.
Overeem prevents Mariaaaaaa from escaping the position.
Mariaaaaaa is trying to work for a sweep but Overeem has mounted him!
Mariaaaaaa working to try and regain half guard.
Overeem wants to control the pace but Mariaaaaaa is squirming around nicely.

Overeem looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Overeem working Mariaaaaaa over with strikes here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mariaaaaaa can't escape the position.
Mariaaaaaa is working hard here to advance position.
Mariaaaaaa is bucking up trying to escape but Overeem cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Mariaaaaaa tries to improve his position but instead Overeem has taken his back!
Overeem keeps control of the position easily here as Mariaaaaaa tries to buck him off.
Mariaaaaaa tries to escape the position.

Overeem patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Valentijn Overeem has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mariaaaaaa has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Mariaaaaaa's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Mariaaaaaa trying to control but not successfully.
Mariaaaaaa is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Overeem is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
I would not like to be Mariaaaaaa right now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mariaaaaaa tries to escape but Overeem has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Mariaaaaaa turns into Overeem and is now in his guard.
Mariaaaaaa wants to pass the guard but Overeem is keeping the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Maria Mariaaaaaa just wasn't active enough.
Overeem shoots in but no luck this time.
Overeem shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mariaaaaaa as he jumps to the side.
Overeem is breathing heavily.
Mariaaaaaa shoots in but Overeem avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Overeem tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mariaaaaaa swivels and escapes.
Maria Mariaaaaaa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Valentijn Overeem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mariaaaaaa fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Overeem avoids it really well and circles away.
Overeem stuffs the takedown attempt from Mariaaaaaa. Mariaaaaaa gets slowly back to his feet.
Mariaaaaaa shoots in for a double leg but Overeem sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nice sprawl there from Overeem as Mariaaaaaa shoots in.
Overeem shoots in looking for a takedown but Mariaaaaaa manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Overeem's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mariaaaaaa with a lazy takedown attempt

and Overeem counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Mariaaaaaa!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Overeem is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Mariaaaaaa to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Mariaaaaaa shrugs it off.
Mariaaaaaa is in all sorts of trouble here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valentijn Overeem showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Mariaaaaaa shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Overeem pinned against the cage. Overeem gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Mariaaaaaa shoots in but Overeem avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Mariaaaaaa changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Overeem tries to avoid it but Mariaaaaaa manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Overeem to the ground. Overeem escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maria Mariaaaaaa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Overeem shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mariaaaaaa sprawls well. Mariaaaaaa wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Overeem gets slowly back to his feet.

Overeem drives through with a takedown into guard.
Overeem trying to control but Mariaaaaaa is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mariaaaaaa working for submissions but it's allowed Overeem to get to half guard.
Mariaaaaaa is trying to get back to full guard.
Overeem is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Mariaaaaaa trying to control from the bottom.
Overeem controlling the action here.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Valentijn Overeem was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Mariaaaaaa fails with a takedown attempt.
Mariaaaaaa is trying hard to land a takedown here. Overeem sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Overeem tries for a takedown but Mariaaaaaa sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Overeem shoots in looking for a takedown but Mariaaaaaa manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Overeem's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Mariaaaaaa shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Overeem but Overeem pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Overeem looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mariaaaaaa is fending him off so far but Overeem persists. Nope, Mariaaaaaa circles away and we're back to standing.
Mariaaaaaa tries for a takedown but Overeem sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
No luck for Mariaaaaaa with that takedown attempt.

Overeem feints and as Mariaaaaaa raises his hands in defense, Overeem changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Mariaaaaaa keeping moving, preventing Overeem from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mariaaaaaa working a defensive guard here.
Maria Mariaaaaaa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mariaaaaaa has Overeem pulled in close to control his posture.

Mariaaaaaa working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Overeem has passed into half guard!

Mariaaaaaa looking for submissions off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Valentijn Overeem comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Overeem 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Valentijn Overeem!