PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Michael Halo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robert De Noteboom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). De Noteboom has chosen Erika - I Don't Know as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Halo
vs
De Noteboom

189 cm
42
182 lbs
32 - 17 - 0

178 cm
39
182 lbs
39 - 21 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition
Machine Fight Gear

Voodoo Nutrition
Machiavelli Boutique

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Michael Halo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 39 - 21 - 1, fighting out of New York, Robert De Noteboom!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, William Gold and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Halo misses the jab.
Halo definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
De Noteboom tries to clinch there but Halo circles away.
De Noteboom walks into a stiff left hand from Halo.
De Noteboom avoids the body shot from Halo.
De Noteboom misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nice body kick there by Halo.
Halo lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
De Noteboom misses with a looping right.
Halo swings for the body but De Noteboom moves out of range.
Halo keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Noteboom pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Halo feinted with a counter takedown.
Halo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Halo misses with a few strikes there.
De Noteboom shoots in looking for a takedown but Halo manages to keep the fight standing, pushing De Noteboom's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Michael Halo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Robert De Noteboom.
Halo misses with a head kick.
De Noteboom shoots in and drives through. Halo sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Noteboom slips a straight right by Halo.
Halo takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
De Noteboom throws a body punch but Halo moves out of range.
Michael Halo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A punch lands to the side of De Noteboom 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A looping hook to the body misses from De Noteboom. Halo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Halo attempts a counter takedown but De Noteboom avoids it well and moves away.
Halo throws a right and a left that De Noteboom avoids nicely.
De Noteboom changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Halo throws a series of punches but De Noteboom avoids them all with ease.
Halo ducks right into an uppercut from De Noteboom.
De Noteboom ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Halo lands a leg kick that knocks De Noteboom off balance momentarily.
Halo lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Halo throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and De Noteboom counters with a nice double leg into side control. Halo won't be happy with that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
De Noteboom trying to control the action but Halo is working from the bottom.
Halo wants to get back to his feet but De Noteboom drags him back down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Noteboom working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
De Noteboom throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Halo works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Halo on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Halo wants to control but De Noteboom is keeping busy.
Halo avoiding damage under a succession of punches from De Noteboom.
De Noteboom not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
De Noteboom looks to land a strike but Halo avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Halo keeping moving, preventing De Noteboom from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Noteboom missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
De Noteboom throws a big right hand that misses.
De Noteboom trying to control the position from guard on top but Halo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Halo pulls De Noteboom in close to prevent any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Halo keeping moving, preventing De Noteboom from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
De Noteboom throws a jab but it's blocked by Halo.
Halo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but De Noteboom circles away quickly and effectively.
Halo just misses with a punch to the body.
Halo lands with a nice body kick.
De Noteboom sizes up Halo with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Nice defenses there by De Noteboom.
Halo scores with a body shot.
Halo changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
De Noteboom blocks a jab.
Jab from Halo.
De Noteboom lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Halo at a distance.
Michael Halo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
De Noteboom throws the left hand but Halo avoids the punch easily.
Halo is looking to land body kicks.
De Noteboom feints the counter takedown.
De Noteboom wants to clinch up but Halo keeps it at a distance.
Halo throws out a loose jab but De Noteboom uses good head movement to avoid it.
Halo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Halo dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A head kick from Halo lands but De Noteboom takes it in his stride.
Halo buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
De Noteboom throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Halo sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Halo works De Noteboom's body with a nice hook.
Halo connects with a nice looking jab.
De Noteboom moves away from the strike by Halo.
De Noteboom lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Jab, jab by Halo - just one landing.
De Noteboom moves out of range of the body kick from Halo.
Halo throws a series of punches but De Noteboom moves out of range.
Halo is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
De Noteboom misses with a straight right.
Halo tries to counter with a takedown but De Noteboom is quick to defend against it.
A jab from De Noteboom does it's job there.
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!
De Noteboom moves out of range of the body kick.
De Noteboom shoots in looking for a takedown but Halo manages to keep the fight standing, pushing De Noteboom's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Halo just misses with a punch to the body.
De Noteboom fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Halo manages to avoid it.
Halo throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and De Noteboom counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
De Noteboom trying to control the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Noteboom thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Halo's head.
Halo avoiding damage under a succession of punches from De Noteboom.
De Noteboom seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Halo does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
De Noteboom missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
De Noteboom throwing shots but Halo is blocking nicely.
De Noteboom winds up and cracks Halo with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
De Noteboom thows a huge punch but Halo dodges it nicely.
De Noteboom stalling away here and it's allowed Halo to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Noteboom connects with a couple of short punches.
De Noteboom throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Halo works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
De Noteboom throws a strike but Halo rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

De Noteboom keeping moving, preventing Halo from controlling successfully.
De Noteboom is trying to keep Halo in close.
Halo tries to free his leg and advance position but De Noteboom is retaining full guard.
De Noteboom wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Noteboom avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Halo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
De Noteboom has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Halo trying to control but De Noteboom is working from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Halo misses with a wild body shot.
Halo throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent De Noteboom stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A cross from Halo lands.
De Noteboom displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Halo throws out the jab.
A jab from De Noteboom misses.
De Noteboom tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Halo was well out of range. Poor timing from De Noteboom.
Halo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
De Noteboom throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Halo stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A punch lands to the side of De Noteboom 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Halo takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
De Noteboom thuds his right hand into Halo's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Halo blocks a jab.
De Noteboom misses with a looping right.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
De Noteboom with a nice cross.
De Noteboom misses with a straight right.
De Noteboom misses the jab.
Halo changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Halo throws a solid leg kick but De Noteboom takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Halo.
Halo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but De Noteboom was well out of range. Poor timing from Halo.
Nice jab there from Halo.
De Noteboom uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Halo.
De Noteboom misses the jab.
De Noteboom scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Halo looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Halo stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Halo wants it to stay on the feet.
Halo tries to land a front kick but De Noteboom steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Halo throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Michael Halo will probably get the nod.
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!

Halo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Halo connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between De Noteboom's hands.
De Noteboom fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Halo manages to avoid it.
Jab by De Noteboom.
Halo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A lazy left from De Noteboom finds it's target.

De Noteboom has Halo up against the cage in a clinch.
De Noteboom tries a body shot but Halo blocks it.
De Noteboom scores with a shot to the side of Halo's head.

Halo manages to break the clinch.
Halo dips to his left and cracks De Noteboom with an uppercut!
Halo lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as De Noteboom backs up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
De Noteboom misses with a wild body shot.
De Noteboom swings for the body but Halo moves out of range.
De Noteboom takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Halo moves into range and connects with a jab.

De Noteboom is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Halo misses with a few strikes there.
De Noteboom is still on wobbly legs! Can Halo finish him?
Halo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as De Noteboom throws out the jab.
De Noteboom seems to have recovered his senses.
De Noteboom keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Halo.
Halo missing with a left hand there. De Noteboom was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
De Noteboom is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Halo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Halo misses the shot to the body.
Halo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that De Noteboom can do to turn this around?
De Noteboom misses the shot to the body.
The fighters circling - De Noteboom throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

De Noteboom closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Halo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Halo gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Halo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
De Noteboom trying to control but Halo is working from the bottom.
De Noteboom stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Halo swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Michael Halo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Noteboom pushes down on Halo's leg and manages to get into half guard.
De Noteboom thows a huge punch but Halo dodges it nicely.
De Noteboom stops Halo from getting back to his feet.
De Noteboom thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Halo's head.
De Noteboom throws a strike but Halo avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
De Noteboom missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
De Noteboom pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Halo is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Noteboom connects with a couple of short punches.
De Noteboom content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
De Noteboom stands and throws Halo's legs to the side, diving into side control.
De Noteboom grinds an elbow into Halo's temple.
Robert De Noteboom has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
De Noteboom slows the pace down.
De Noteboom is trying to ground and pound but Halo uses the momentary lack of control by De Noteboom to regain half guard.
De Noteboom throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Noteboom is just content to waste time from the top position. Halo takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
De Noteboom's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Halo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
De Noteboom stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Halo swivels though and keeps the full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as De Noteboom accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Halo preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

And that's the end of the fight!
Robert De Noteboom comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Halo 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Michael Halo!
A very excited looking Michael Halo rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.