PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Hassan Van Den Berg (ranked 5407 p4p, 0 weight class) and Omar Al Boleahi (ranked 3742 p4p, 0 weight class). Al Boleahi has a pretty significant injury - he really shouldn't be fighting right now but he's a warrior and he's here none the less! The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Van Den Berg
vs
Al Boleahi

181 cm
28
157 lbs
17 - 13 - 0

179 cm
27
157 lbs
10 - 10 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hassan Van Den Berg!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Omar Al Boleahi!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Bruno Lombardi and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Al Boleahi shoots and misses
and Van Den Berg connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Van Den Berg looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Van Den Berg throws a nice looking combination but Al Boleahi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Al Boleahi drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Van Den Berg defends it well.
Van Den Berg connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Van Den Berg throws a right hand that Al Boleahi ducks under and follows up with a left that Al Boleahi also avoids with ease.
Van Den Berg throws a right hand that Al Boleahi ducks under and follows up with a left that Al Boleahi also avoids with ease.
Al Boleahi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Al Boleahi has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Van Den Berg finds it's way round the side to connect with Al Boleahi's head.

Al Boleahi throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Van Den Berg tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Al Boleahi is in Van Den Berg's guard.
Van Den Berg is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Al Boleahi cracks Van Den Berg with a solid left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Van Den Berg manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

Van Den Berg manages to break the clinch.
Al Boleahi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Van Den Berg sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Al Boleahi somewhat.
Hassan Van Den Berg has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Omar Al Boleahi.
Van Den Berg lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Al Boleahi circles away quickly and effectively.
Al Boleahi shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Van Den Berg but Van Den Berg pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Al Boleahi shoots for a double leg takedown but Van Den Berg sprawls well. He's pushed Al Boleahi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Van Den Berg is looking for a counter combo.
Van Den Berg darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A punch lands to the side of Al Boleahi 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Al Boleahi goes for a double leg but Van Den Berg avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Van Den Berg continues to drive forward.
Some wild striking there from Van Den Berg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Den Berg throws out a loose jab but Al Boleahi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Al Boleahi goes for a double leg but Van Den Berg avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Van Den Berg continues to drive forward.
It looked like Van Den Berg was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Omar Al Boleahi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Van Den Berg misses with a series of wild punches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Al Boleahi with a poor takedown
and Van Den Berg counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A punch combination from Van Den Berg misses.
Al Boleahi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Van Den Berg pinned against the cage. Van Den Berg gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Van Den Berg went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Al Boleahi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Van Den Berg is fending him off so far but Al Boleahi persists. Nope, Van Den Berg circles away and we're back to standing.
Van Den Berg throws a big counter combination but Al Boleahi scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Van Den Berg tries to bum rush Al Boleahi with a series of wild strikes but Al Boleahi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Al Boleahi.
Van Den Berg throws a right and a left that Al Boleahi avoids nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Boleahi fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
No joy there for Van Den Berg, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Al Boleahi takes one on the button.

Al Boleahi gets a double leg takedown into Van Den Berg's guard.

Van Den Berg scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Van Den Berg swinging wildly here.

Al Boleahi shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Van Den Berg manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Al Boleahi won't allow Van Den Berg to get back to his feet.
Al Boleahi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Al Boleahi postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Van Den Berg is looking to stand up but Al Boleahi isn't so interested in that idea.
Al Boleahi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Van Den Berg. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Boleahi postures up and lands a big shot to Van Den Berg's brow.
Al Boleahi content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Van Den Berg is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Al Boleahi is controlling him.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Al Boleahi postures up and lands a big shot to Van Den Berg's brow.
Van Den Berg is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Al Boleahi works over Van Den Berg with some ground and pound from guard.
Van Den Berg wants to stand but Al Boleahi is controlling the position.
Al Boleahi is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Al Boleahi landing some decent shots from guard.
Al Boleahi chips away with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hassan Van Den Berg dominated that round.
That's time! Van Den Berg's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Van Den Berg fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Van Den Berg keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Van Den Berg throws a one two combo.
Al Boleahi doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Van Den Berg counters with a one-two to the body.

Al Boleahi shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Van Den Berg napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Van Den Berg takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Al Boleahi scores with a couple of short elbows.
Al Boleahi prevents Van Den Berg from escaping the position.

Van Den Berg throws Al Boleahi to one side and escapes!
Van Den Berg looks to land a combination but Al Boleahi avoids it well.
Hassan Van Den Berg is winning the standup battle so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Boleahi shoots in for a double leg but Van Den Berg sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hassan Van Den Berg has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Omar Al Boleahi.
Van Den Berg misses with a looping left.
Van Den Berg throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Al Boleahi fails to land the takedown.
Al Boleahi goes for a double leg but Van Den Berg avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Van Den Berg continues to drive forward.
Van Den Berg is looking to counter punch.
Van Den Berg throws a right hand that Al Boleahi ducks under and follows up with a left that Al Boleahi also avoids with ease.
Van Den Berg fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Al Boleahi misses with a takedown attempt - Van Den Berg sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A little feinted left hand from Van Den Berg on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Van Den Berg lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Al Boleahi circles away quickly and effectively.
Al Boleahi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Van Den Berg swivels and escapes.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Van Den Berg enables Al Boleahi to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Van Den Berg manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Al Boleahi with a nice head shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Boleahi prevents Van Den Berg from getting back to his feet.
Al Boleahi with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Van Den Berg is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Al Boleahi cracks Van Den Berg with a solid left hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Van Den Berg wants to stand but Al Boleahi is controlling the position.
Al Boleahi is in close to Van Den Berg's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Al Boleahi scoring with punches to the head and body.
Al Boleahi scoring with some ground and pound.
Al Boleahi is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Van Den Berg is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Al Boleahi works over Van Den Berg with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Den Berg is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Al Boleahi is controlling him.
Al Boleahi distracts Van Den Berg with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Al Boleahi is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Al Boleahi working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Al Boleahi postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Van Den Berg is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Al Boleahi is controlling him.
Al Boleahi is working Van Den Berg over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Van Den Berg wants to stand and escape but Al Boleahi is having none of it.
Al Boleahi stands up over Van Den Berg, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Van Den Berg is looking to stand up but Al Boleahi isn't so interested in that idea.
Al Boleahi postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Den Berg is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Al Boleahi postures up and lands a big shot to Van Den Berg's brow.
Van Den Berg wants to stand and escape but Al Boleahi is having none of it.
Van Den Berg trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Al Boleahi with a nice head shot there.
Al Boleahi makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Van Den Berg is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Van Den Berg swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Al Boleahi scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Al Boleahi prevents Van Den Berg from standing back up.
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 Hassan Van Den Berg will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Horrible takedown attempt by Al Boleahi or perhaps it was just good defense by Van Den Berg, which made it look bad.
Al Boleahi on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Van Den Berg throws a right and a left that Al Boleahi avoids nicely.

Al Boleahi closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Van Den Berg did well to prevent Al Boleahi getting side control.
Van Den Berg is looking to escape.
Al Boleahi scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Al Boleahi looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Van Den Berg with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Van Den Berg is trying to stand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Van Den Berg manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Van Den Berg throws a right and a left that both miss.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Van Den Berg lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Al Boleahi backs up against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Van Den Berg scores with a one two! Al Boleahi had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Van Den Berg keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Al Boleahi.
Hassan Van Den Berg has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Omar Al Boleahi.
Van Den Berg with a jab.
Van Den Berg defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Al Boleahi.
Al Boleahi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Van Den Berg throws a big counter combination but Al Boleahi scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
A punch combination from Van Den Berg misses.
Al Boleahi shoots in looking for a takedown. Van Den Berg tries to sprawl out of it but Al Boleahi keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Van Den Berg manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Al Boleahi fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Van Den Berg to the ground. Al Boleahi is now in Van Den Berg's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Den Berg is looking to stand up but Al Boleahi isn't so interested in that idea.
Al Boleahi scoring with punches to the head and body.
Al Boleahi lands a couple of digs.
Van Den Berg is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Al Boleahi can do to turn this around?

Van Den Berg has his feet on Al Boleahi's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Al Boleahi tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Van Den Berg defends well and Al Boleahi ends up having to push Van Den Berg into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A combination from Van Den Berg does no damage.
Al Boleahi changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Al Boleahi is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Van Den Berg.
Van Den Berg throws a right hand that Al Boleahi ducks under and follows up with a left that Al Boleahi also avoids with ease.
Al Boleahi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Van Den Berg tries to avoid it but Al Boleahi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Van Den Berg to the ground. Van Den Berg escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Van Den Berg misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Left hook, right uppercut from Van Den Berg.
Van Den Berg swinging wildly here.
Hassan Van Den Berg is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Den Berg lands a two punch combo.
Al Boleahi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Van Den Berg is fending him off so far but Al Boleahi persists. Nope, Van Den Berg circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice shot lands for Van Den Berg.
Van Den Berg defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Al Boleahi.
Al Boleahi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Van Den Berg counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Van Den Berg throws a good cross that connects.
Van Den Berg defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Al Boleahi.
Al Boleahi fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A punch combination from Van Den Berg misses.
Al Boleahi shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Al Boleahi shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Al Boleahi scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Den Berg wants to get back to his feet.
Al Boleahi seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Al Boleahi lands a nice short elbow.
Van Den Berg is trying to stand up here but Al Boleahi is controlling him well.

Van Den Berg kicks off Al Boleahi and gets to his feet.
Al Boleahi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Van Den Berg circles away.
Van Den Berg seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Van Den Berg stuffs the takedown.
Van Den Berg looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hassan Van Den Berg is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
No joy there for Van Den Berg, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Van Den Berg throws a right hand that Al Boleahi ducks under and follows up with a left that Al Boleahi also avoids with ease.
Van Den Berg misses with a wild combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hassan Van Den Berg showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Van Den Berg, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hassan Van Den Berg!