PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Werner Cloete (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dick Solomon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Werner Cloete has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Cloete
vs
Solomon

200 cm
29
255 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

225 cm
26
281 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
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 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Werner Cloete!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Dick Solomon!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cloete moves into the clinch successfully.
Solomon is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Solomon has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Cloete uses from the top position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Cloete postures up.
Cloete trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Cloete trying to control the position from guard on top but Solomon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Solomon is adopting a defensive guard.
Cloete looking to sit in guard and control but Solomon gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Cloete looking for a guillotine here but Solomon defends easily.
Cloete avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
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.
Solomon trying to control the position from guard on top but Cloete is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Cloete looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Cloete not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Cloete wants to improve his position but instead Solomon has moved into half guard.
Solomon thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Cloete wants to get back to full guard.
Solomon is keen to just control but Cloete is a slippery customer.
Cloete is controlling Solomon's trapped leg to prevent Solomon from advancing to side control.
Cloete might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Cloete moves into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Solomon 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.
Cloete looking to hit a scissor sweep but Solomon is one step ahead there.
Solomon stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cloete swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Solomon is looking to work some ground and pound but Cloete has wrist control.
Solomon not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cloete wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cloete punching from the bottom - just letting Solomon know he's still in a fight.
Solomon trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Solomon avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Solomon trying to control but Cloete is working from the bottom.
Cloete is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Solomon manages to get to full guard.
Solomon working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Solomon is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Cloete stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Solomon swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Solomon not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Solomon looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cloete is one step ahead there.
Solomon is looking to stand up but Cloete isn't so interested in that idea.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Dick Solomon was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Solomon fails in his attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Werner Cloete will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Solomon closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Cloete's guard.
Solomon won't allow Cloete to sweep him here.
Cloete is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Cloete looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Solomon makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Solomon sitting in guard here, content to control.
Cloete keeping moving, preventing Solomon from controlling successfully.

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

Cloete throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Solomon trying to control the position from guard on top but Cloete is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Solomon drops back, looking for a kneebar! Cloete looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Cloete looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Cloete!
Solomon takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Solomon is pushing Cloete's head away, looking to escape. Cloete manages to hold on to the position though.
Cloete is working Solomon over with some ground and pound from side control.

Cloete stands up and beckons Solomon to his feet.
Cloete connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Solomon shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Cloete's guard.
Solomon is breathing heavily.
Cloete looking to control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Solomon won't allow Cloete to sweep him here.

Cloete looking for subs off his back but Solomon has passed one foot through into half guard.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Cloete here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Cloete is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Cloete wants to control but Solomon is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Cloete is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Cloete wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Solomon is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Cloete!
Werner Cloete overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Solomon tries to control but Cloete wriggling away.
Cloete tries to reverse the position but Solomon maintains control.

Solomon is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Solomon slaps away a takedown attempt from Cloete, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Solomon tries to clinch but Cloete is having none of it.

Solomon fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Cloete to the ground. Solomon is now in Cloete's guard.
Cloete is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Solomon is fighting to break Cloete's control of his arms but Cloete is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Cloete 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.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A big left from Solomon misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Cloete forces Solomon back against the cage and clinches.

Solomon tightens his grip and picks Cloete up, before dumping him to the ground. Cloete manages to land in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dick Solomon will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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!

Cloete is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Werner Cloete seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Solomon is looking to land body kicks.
Cloete keeps the fight on the outside.
Cloete takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Werner Cloete is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Solomon avoids the head kick by Cloete.

Solomon closes the distance and clinches.

Solomon manages to break the clinch.

Solomon bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Cloete struggling a bit here.
Solomon passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Cloete!

Solomon is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Cloete has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Cloete!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cloete looking to pass the guard.
Solomon takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Cloete is stalling in the full guard.
Cloete passes Solomon's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Cloete content to control rather than advance.
Cloete is trying to control. Solomon wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cloete perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Werner Cloete has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Solomon closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Cloete to the mat! Cloete manages to get full guard.
Cloete trying to control the position.
Solomon has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Cloete is proving hard to escape from.
Cloete looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cloete manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Solomon manages to get himself to full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cloete tries to free his leg and advance position but Solomon is retaining full guard.
Cloete throws a strike but Solomon rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Solomon won't allow Cloete to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cloete utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Cloete pushes Solomon off and scrambles back to his feet.

Cloete gets a takedown into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Cloete lands a nice short elbow.
Solomon wants to control but Cloete is keeping busy.
Solomon desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cloete tries to stand and escape but Solomon is controlling the position.
Solomon flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Cloete controlling the action here.
Solomon is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Cloete fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cloete listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Werner Cloete.
I think Cloete has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 30:28
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Werner Cloete!