PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ruud Van Graaf (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcus Macino (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Marcus Macino was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Van Graaf
vs
Macino

194 cm
29
257 lbs
5 - 7 - 0

190 cm
24
260 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 5 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ruud Van Graaf!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Marcus Macino!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Aafke Stam and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Macino lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Macino.
Van Graaf looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Some wild striking there from Macino.

Van Graaf gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Macino takes a knee right on the jaw!

Van Graaf jumps guard.
Macino is stalling in the full guard.

Van Graaf is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Macino seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Van Graaf looking for a guillotine here but Macino defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Van Graaf is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Macino is aware though and is defending well.

Van Graaf has an active guard here but Macino has managed to pass into half guard.
Macino trying to pass the guard but Van Graaf defending well.
Macino sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Van Graaf actively working from the bottom here.
Van Graaf is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Van Graaf looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Van Graaf is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Macino pulls his head out easily.
Macino looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Let's hope that Macino has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Van Graaf wants to improve his position but Macino is controlling well.
Macino is looking to advance position but Van Graaf won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Graaf is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Marcus Macino hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Macino throws a series of punches but Van Graaf avoids them all with ease.
Van Graaf ducks under a wild hook from Macino.
Van Graaf doesn't manage to clinch there - Macino circles away.
Macino misses with a jab, cross combination.
Macino tries to bum rush Van Graaf with a series of wild strikes but Van Graaf uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Marcus Macino is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Van Graaf fails with a takedown attempt.
Macino throws a combination. Van Graaf tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Van Graaf fails with a takedown attempt.
Macino catches Van Graaf with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Macino misses with a series of wild punches.
Macino throws a right and a left that Van Graaf avoids nicely.
Macino looks to land a right hand but Van Graaf moved out of range.
Macino swinging wildly here.
Van Graaf looks to land a combination but Macino avoids it well.
Van Graaf dives in and grabs Macino's left leg, looking for a takedown. Macino pushes down on Van Graaf's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ruud Van Graaf. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sloppy strikes from Macino. Those never looked like landing.
Macino throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Van Graaf counters with a thumping low kick.
Van Graaf wants to clinch up but Macino keeps it at a distance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Macino throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Van Graaf avoids a punch combination nicely.
Macino lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Van Graaf circles away quickly and effectively.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Macino dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Van Graaf shoots in but no luck this time.
Macino looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Macino displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Van Graaf.
Van Graaf fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ruud Van Graaf. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Macino connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Macino rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Van Graaf moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Macino throws a big shot that misses.
Van Graaf tries for a takedown but Macino sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Van Graaf uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Macino.
Sloppy strikes from Macino. Those never looked like landing.
Macino looks to land a combination. Van Graaf sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

It looks like Ruud Van Graaf has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Macino lands a really nice looking cross but Van Graaf seems unphased.
Macino looks to land a combination but Van Graaf avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Macino looks to land a left hand but Van Graaf moved out of range nicely.
Macino gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Oooooh!!! Macino has knocked Van Graaf down with a huge combo! Macino steps away and waves a wobbly Van Graaf back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Van Graaf is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Macino throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Macino fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Macino fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Van Graaf looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Marcus Macino seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Macino on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Macino throws a nice looking combination but Van Graaf bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Macino throws a nice looking combination but Van Graaf bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Marcus Macino seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Macino is breathing heavily.
Macino connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Van Graaf's hands.
Van Graaf tries to clinch but Macino is having none of it.
Van Graaf fails to land the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Graaf throws a head kick that Macino semi-blocks.
Macino looks to land a left hand but Van Graaf moved out of range nicely.

Van Graaf instigates a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Macino's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Van Graaf drags the fight down to the ground.
Macino sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Van Graaf isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Macino stacks Van Graaf on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Macino!
Macino trying to control the position but Van Graaf is working away.

Macino decides to stand back up. Macino steps back and let's Van Graaf get back to his feet.
Macino might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Graaf has a takedown stuffed.
Macino moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Macino scores with a punch to the head.
Macino throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Van Graaf counters with a solid body kick.
Macino lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Van Graaf circles away quickly and effectively.
Ruud Van Graaf is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sloppy strikes from Van Graaf. Those never looked like landing.
Macino looks to throw the jab but Van Graaf is out of range.
Macino misses with a few strikes there.
Van Graaf gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Macino counters with a nice uppercut.
Macino throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Van Graaf stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Macino throws a right and a left that Van Graaf avoids nicely.
Macino keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Van Graaf throws a head kick that misses.
Macino throws a series of punches but Van Graaf moves out of range.

Van Graaf scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Macino gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Van Graaf with the ground and pound but Macino uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Van Graaf throws a strike but Macino rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Macino engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Macino must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Van Graaf is working an open guard so Macino takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Macino showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ruud Van Graaf's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Macino lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Van Graaf fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Van Graaf misses with an uppercut
and Macino counters with a one-two to the body.
Van Graaf shoots in and drives through. Macino sprawls well.
Van Graaf shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ruud Van Graaf. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Van Graaf wants to clinch.
Van Graaf's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Macino connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Van Graaf scrambles back to his feet.
Macino scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
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!
Van Graaf lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Macino keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Some wild striking there from Macino.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Graaf changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Macino tries to avoid it but Van Graaf manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Macino to the ground. Macino escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Van Graaf tries to score a power double leg takedown but Macino sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Van Graaf somewhat.
Macino misses with a wild combination.
Macino will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Macino throws a right and a left that Van Graaf avoids nicely.
Macino dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Van Graaf is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Macino.
Van Graaf avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Macino throws a right hand that misses

and Van Graaf counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Macino avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Van Graaf.
Van Graaf missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Van Graaf is working for a submission of some sort.
Macino wants to get back to full guard.

Van Graaf trying to work for an americana but Macino has managed to regain full guard.
Van Graaf prevents Macino from getting back to his feet.
Ruud Van Graaf overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Macino looking to hit a scissor sweep but Van Graaf is one step ahead there.
Macino is adopting a defensive guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Macino avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Macino working a defensive guard here.

Van Graaf drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Macino manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Van Graaf has Macino in his guard.

Van Graaf looking for a guillotine here but Macino defends easily.
Macino wants to pass the guard but Van Graaf is keeping the position.
Ruud Van Graaf has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Macino works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Macino seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Van Graaf does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Macino works his way into side control.
Van Graaf gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Macino is trying to control the action in half guard but Van Graaf is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Van Graaf is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Macino tries to stand but can't do so whilst Van Graaf controls his leg.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marcus Macino comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Macino 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 Wagner Zegers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 27:30
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marcus Macino!
Marcus Macino took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Dynamic Nutrition $35 159 Recovery for their support in the buildup to the fight.