PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rob Van (ranked 3157 p4p, 3744 weight class) and Joe Fletcher (ranked 394 p4p, 448 weight class). Joe Fletcher will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Van
vs
Fletcher

180 cm
26
215
4 - 2 - 0

197 cm
26
215
3 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rob Van!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Joe Fletcher!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Daniel Franklin and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fletcher has Van up against the cage in a clinch.
Van tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Fletcher's elbow.
Still in the clinch, Van scores with a nice short uppercut.
Van dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Fletcher wants to get back to striking at distance but Van won't allow it.
Van stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Fletcher working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Fletcher softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Van blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Van tries to throw a body punch but Fletcher avoids it by throwing Van back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Van dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Van working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Fletcher.
Van is struggling to control the position.
A head punch on the inside from Van fails to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fletcher misses with a punch to the body.
Still in the clinch, Fletcher scores with a nice short uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Fletcher fails to land.
Van lands a shot to the body.
Fletcher wants to break the clinch but can't.
Fletcher looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Fletcher misses with a hook to the ribs.
Van misses with a punch on the inside.
Fletcher misses with a hook to the ribs.
Fletcher lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Fletcher breaks from the clinch.

Fletcher drives through and clinches with Van against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Van fails to land.
Van prevents Fletcher from breaking the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fletcher breaks the clinch.
Van throws a series of punches but Fletcher avoids them all with ease.
Rob Van seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Fletcher gets in close and instigates a clinch.

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

Fletcher has taken the fight to the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Fletcher.
Van misses with a hook to the ribs.
Van throws a head punch that misses.
Van displaying some good clinch control by pressing Fletcher up against the cage.
Van slows down the pace here.
Fletcher misses with a punch to the body.
Van lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Fletcher backwards.
Fletcher misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van throws a head punch that misses.
Fletcher tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Fletcher misses with the head strike.
Van avoiding damage.
Van digs a right hand underneath Fletcher's ribcage. Fletcher let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Van can't find room to land a body shot as Fletcher controls the action.
Fletcher fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Van misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Van slows down the pace here.

Fletcher breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Van clinches with his opponent.
Van digs a right hand into Fletcher's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Fletcher's gas tank.
Fletcher fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fletcher throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Vans head.
Fletcher slowing the pace effectively.
Fletcher blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Van working aggressively here.
A short body shot lands from Van as the two fighters clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Fletcher.
A short body shot lands from Fletcher as the two fighters clinch.
Van digs a right hand underneath Fletcher's ribcage. Fletcher let out a lung full of air as it connected.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Fletcher manages to break the clinch.

Fletcher instigates a clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Van fails to land.
Fletcher lands with a light punch inside.
Fletcher lands with a short shot to the head.
Van misses with the head strike.
Van misses with the head strike.

Fletcher breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Fletcher dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Van loads up on a big right hand but Fletcher slips the punch.

Van moves into range and clinches up with Fletcher.
Fletcher blocks an uppercut.
Van lands a body punch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Fletcher creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Van misses with a punch on the inside.
Van will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Fletcher up against the cage.
Fletcher tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Fletcher lands with a left to the head.
Fletcher doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fletcher is looking to break free of the clinch but Van has double underhooks.
Fletcher can't find room to land a body shot as Van controls the action.
Van lands a right hand that snaps the head of Fletcher backwards.
Fletcher looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Van throws a punch but it's blocked by Fletcher.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Van.
Van lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Fletcher or not.
Van swings wildly with an uppercut but Fletcher uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Fletcher.
A body shot lands from Van.
Van prevents Fletcher from breaking the clinch.
Fletcher misses with the head strike.
Van throws a head punch that misses.
Van tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch on the inside from Van fails to land.
A head punch on the inside from Fletcher fails to land.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Fletcher struggles to land a body shot inside as Van controls his hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van throws a punch but it's blocked by Fletcher.
Van swings wildly with an uppercut but Fletcher uses good head movement to avoid it.
Van lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Van slows down the pace here.
Fletcher has had enough of the clinch but Van keeps him there for the moment.
A nice right hand lands inside from Van.
Van tries a body shot but Fletcher blocks it.
Fletcher lands with a right to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Van.
Fletcher is looking to control Van's arms but Van gets an underhook and turns him. Now Fletcher has his back to the cage.
Van misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short right from Fletcher on the inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fletcher blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fletcher misses with a hook to the ribs.
Van misses with a body punch.
Fletcher lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Fletcher pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Fletcher clinches with his opponent.
Fletcher lands with a short shot to the head.
Fletcher wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Van prevents Fletcher from breaking the clinch.
Fletcher is working Van over against the cage.
Van can't find room to land a body shot as Fletcher controls the action.
Fletcher swings wildly with an uppercut but Van uses good head movement to avoid it.
Van prevents Fletcher from breaking the clinch.

Fletcher pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Van takes the fight into the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Van.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Fletcher is trying to break the clinch but Van has him pressed against the cage.
Van can't find room to land a body shot as Fletcher controls the action.
Fletcher has a couple of punches blocked by Van.
Fletcher lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Van or not.
Van blocks a body shot from Fletcher.
Joe Fletcher seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Van's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A right handed body shot lands from Van.
Van misses with a short punch on the inside.
Fletcher blocking some punches.
Van blocks an uppercut.
Fletcher scores with a shoulder strike.
Fletcher is trying to break the clinch but Van is controlling him.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Rob Van will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Fletcher takes the fight into the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Van.

Fletcher breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fletcher avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
We've been told by Van's head coaches at Cozad The Island that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Fletcher closes the distance and clinches.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Fletcher as Van tries to tie him up.

Fletcher breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Fletcher closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Van swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Van misses with a hook from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Van misses with the head strike.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Fletcher lands an uppercut.
Stalling in the clinch from Van.

Fletcher manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fletcher instigates a clinch.
Still in the clinch, Fletcher scores with a nice short uppercut.
Van keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Fletcher's efforts to push away.

Fletcher manages to break the clinch.

Fletcher rushes Van and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Fletcher is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Van misses with a hook from the clinch.
Van trying to control the position but instead, Fletcher has worked for underhooks and has pushed Van into the cage.
Van working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Van tries to stall but Fletcher uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Fletcher is leaning against Van and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Van misses with a punch on the inside.
Van doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fletcher is trying to break the clinch but Van is controlling him.
Van struggles to land a body shot inside as Fletcher controls his hands.

Fletcher pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Van fails in his attempt to clinch.
And Fletcher tries to counter it with a takedown but Van pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Van throws an off balance right hand

and Fletcher counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Van pulls Fletcher in close to prevent any damage.
Van's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Further stalling from Van.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fletcher trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Van might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Fletcher trying to control but Van is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Fletcher accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Fletcher trying to control the position from guard on top but Van is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Fletcher fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Van, pushing him back against the cage.
Fletcher blocking some punches.
Fletcher scores with a shot to the side of Van's head.
Van will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Fletcher up against the cage.
Van misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Fletcher fails to land.
Fletcher lands a shoulder strike.
Fletcher goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Van swings wildly with an uppercut but Fletcher uses good head movement to avoid it.
Van lands a left hand that snaps the head of Fletcher backwards.
Fletcher working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Still in the clinch, Van scores with a nice short uppercut.
Fletcher lands a hook that snaps the head of Van backwards.
Fletcher lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fletcher scores with a shoulder strike.
Van struggles to land a body shot inside as Fletcher controls his hands.
Van fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Van.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Fletcher comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Fletcher 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:30
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Fletcher!
A relieved looking Joe Fletcher thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.