PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Derek King (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anrzej Strzelba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

King
vs
Strzelba

167 cm
19
138 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

166 cm
18
130 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Derek King!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Anrzej Strzelba!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Paul Aken and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Strzelba with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Strzelba waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract King.
Strzelba throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Strzelba looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Strzelba misses with a head kick.
Strzelba comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Strzelba doesn't manage to clinch there - King circles away.
Strzelba closes the distance and lands a one-two.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
King checks a leg kick.
King wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Strzelba misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
King has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Strzelba.
King on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Strzelba. Strzelba obviously looking to wear him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strzelba misses with a head kick.
King is looking to counter the offense by Strzelba and move into the clinch.

Strzelba rushes King and presses him up against the cage.
Strzelba with an attempt at a knee that misses.
King has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Strzelba avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Strzelba slows down the pace here.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Strzelba takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Strzelba connects with a knee to the head.
Strzelba's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
A hook to the body from Strzelba.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Strzelba takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
King tries to pull guard but Strzelba holds him up against the cage and eventually King drops back down to his feet.
Strzelba utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Strzelba has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. King seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Strzelba can turn it around.
King jumps guard but Strzelba turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Derek King. That's going to take a lot out of him.
King looking for a takedown.
Strzelba displaying some good clinch control by pressing King up against the cage.
Strzelba with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
King wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Strzelba has him pressed against the cage.
Strzelba throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Come on Strzelba - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Strzelba managing to block the knees to the body from King.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

King breaks from the clinch.
Strzelba lands a leg kick that knocks King off balance momentarily.
Strzelba lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Strzelba delivers a nice body kick.
Strzelba will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Strzelba closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
King fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
King has Strzelba pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Strzelba manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Strzelba is stalling here.
Strzelba with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Strzelba unloads a knee to the mid-section. King lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Strzelba lands a good knee to the midsection. King won't want to take too many of those.
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!
Strzelba slows down the pace here.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Strzelba has King pressed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Strzelba fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
King wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
A head kick misses from Strzelba.
Strzelba shoots in but King avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Strzelba misses with a double jab.
King seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
King slips a jab and a cross from Strzelba.
King seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Strzelba misses with a body kick.
King half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sloppy strikes from Strzelba. Those never looked like landing.
Derek King is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Strzelba shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with King but King pushes him off and we're back to square one.
King tries to counter by clinching up but Strzelba breaks away and moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strzelba darts in looking for a takedown but King gets double underhooks and turns Strzelba into the cage.
Derek King has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anrzej Strzelba.
A big left from Strzelba misses.
King tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Strzelba manages to circle out of the way.
Strzelba swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
King wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Strzelba misses with a jab, cross combination.

Strzelba has taken the fight to the clinch.
King tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Strzelba smiles and moves away.
Strzelba misses with a series of wild punches.
King feinted with a counter takedown.

Strzelba moves into the clinch successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
King tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
King has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Strzelba avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Strzelba has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
King looking to stall.
Strzelba leaning against his opponent.
Strzelba with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Strzelba is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Strzelba is trying to maintain a safe position but King gets an underhook and turns Strzelba into the cage.
Strzelba landing knees to the head.
Strzelba throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but King blocks it with crossed arms.
King is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
The referee calls for Strzelba to work.
Come on Strzelba - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strzelba pushes King back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
King is looking for a takedown.
A body shot lands from Strzelba.
King is trying to pull guard but Strzelba has him pressed against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Strzelba - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
King tries to land knees in the clinch but Strzelba avoids the damage to the body.
King jumps guard but Strzelba stands there with King around his waist. King gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Strzelba slows down the pace here.
Knees to the body from Strzelba.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
King being controlled against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Anrzej Strzelba.
Strzelba works King's body with a nice hook.
King dodges the punch combination from Strzelba.
Strzelba misses with a wild combination.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Strzelba clinches with his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anrzej Strzelba showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

King leaves Strzelba with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
King is looking to counter the offense by Strzelba and move into the clinch.
Strzelba misses with a head kick.
Strzelba fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but King avoids it really well and circles away.
Strzelba will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
King is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Strzelba.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Strzelba moves into the clinch successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King wants to stall.
A bit of stalling here from Strzelba.
Strzelba tries to stall but King uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
King is trying to drag Strzelba to the mat but Strzelba just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Strzelba is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Strzelba with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Strzelba is stalling here.
King looking to slow down the pace here.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Strzelba as King tries to tie him up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Strzelba trying to stall but King improves his position.
Strzelba scores a nice knee to the body.
King wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
King takes a knee to the side of the body.
Strzelba taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Strzelba stalls.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Anrzej Strzelba.

Strzelba moves into the clinch.
Strzelba landing knees to the head.
King tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Strzelba stalling the fight.
King jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Strzelba walks away with a smile on his face. King gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Derek King. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King leaves Strzelba with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Strzelba takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Strzelba throws a nice looking combination but King bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Strzelba cracks a nice hook into King's ribs.
Strzelba scores with a kick to the body.

Strzelba clinches with his opponent.
Strzelba using the Thai plumb to throw knees but King has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
King fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Strzelba with a knee to the head.
King using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Strzelba has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strzelba lands a knee to the head.
Anrzej Strzelba seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Strzelba leaning against his opponent.
Strzelba is pressed up against the cage. King has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Strzelba down to the mat. Strzelba avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Strzelba shoots for a takedown but King saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
King swats away the attempt to clinch by Strzelba.
Strzelba looks to land a combination but King avoids it well.
King circles away from the clinch attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Strzelba tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. King manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Derek King has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Anrzej Strzelba is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Strzelba throws a sloppy head kick and King moves out of range easily.
King attempts a counter takedown but Strzelba avoids it well and moves away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anrzej Strzelba comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Strzelba has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 26:30
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 26:30
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anrzej Strzelba!