PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tracy Minaj (ranked 711 p4p, 100 weight class) and Virgil Van Dijk (ranked 1272 p4p, 171 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Minaj
vs
Van Dijk

187 cm
26
181 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

184 cm
26
184 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Heavy handed

Woodhouse's

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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tracy Minaj!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Virgil Van Dijk!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Michael Johnstone and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Minaj is looking to clinch.
A jab lands there for Minaj.
Nice straight punches there by Van Dijk. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Van Dijk.
Van Dijk scores with a leg kick.
Tracy Minaj seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Van Dijk misses with a head kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Minaj is defended easily by Van Dijk.
Minaj uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Van Dijk.
A big left from Van Dijk misses.
Van Dijk wants to land a leg kick but Minaj is out of range.
Van Dijk lands a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Van Dijk throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Minaj loads up on a big right hand but Van Dijk slips the punch.
Minaj throws a hook to the side of Van Dijk's head but Van Dijk sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Minaj ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Van Dijk moves away.
Minaj uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Van Dijk.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Van Dijk. Minaj shrugs it off though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Dijk works the jab nicely.
Minaj dives in for a single leg takedown but Van Dijk sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Minaj swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Minaj is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Van Dijk.
Minaj stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Van Dijk.
Minaj throws a hook but Van Dijk avoids it easily.
A bone on bone clash there as Minaj blocks the leg kick.
Minaj uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Van Dijk.
Van Dijk stuns Minaj with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Van Dijk misses the shot to the body.
Van Dijk keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Minaj shoots in for a double leg but Van Dijk sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tracy Minaj. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Minaj waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Van Dijk.
Horrible takedown attempt by Minaj or perhaps it was just good defense by Van Dijk, which made it look bad.
Van Dijk scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Minaj doesn't seem bothered though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Dijk connects with a solid leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Van Dijk misses with a hook. Minaj ducked under it nicely.
Minaj fails in his attempt to clinch.
Minaj fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Minaj looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Minaj misses with a hook to the body
and Van Dijk counters with a series of strikes that really hurt Minaj! The ref looks into his eyes and sees nobody home - he's called the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:26 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Virgil Van Dijk!
In his post fight interview, Virgil Van Dijk started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.