PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jonas Carvalho (ranked 2436 p4p, 3656 weight class) and Lee Van Cleefe (ranked 298 p4p, 409 weight class). Van Cleefe has chosen Classics - The Master (1984) TV series as his entrance music. The key to victory for Jonas Carvalho has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Carvalho
vs
Van Cleefe

210 cm
33
275
7 - 11 - 0

185 cm
33
255
19 - 26 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Good elbows
Fast

Vegan Gains

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jonas Carvalho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 26 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Lee Van Cleefe!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Robert Douchet and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Van Cleefe shoots in looking for a takedown but Carvalho manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Van Cleefe's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Van Cleefe has Carvalho up against the cage in a clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Van Cleefe.
Van Cleefe lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Carvalho wants to get back to striking at distance but Van Cleefe won't allow it.
Carvalho working hard to break the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Van Cleefe.
Van Cleefe pushes Carvalho back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Van Cleefe breaks the clinch.
Carvalho dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Carvalho misses with a two punch combination.
Carvalho sets himself, and Van Cleefe steps forward looking for the clinch! Carvalho avoids it this time.
Carvalho fails to land with a series of punches.
Van Cleefe drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Carvalho defends it well.
Nice cross by Carvalho.

It looks like Lee Van Cleefe has been cut.
Carvalho throws a series of punches but Van Cleefe moves out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Van Cleefe misses with a wild combination.
Van Cleefe throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Van Cleefe avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Van Cleefe.
Carvalho throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Carvalho fails to land with a series of punches.
We've been told by Carvalho's head coaches at Canadian Combat Academy that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Van Cleefe misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Carvalho.
Carvalho was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Van Cleefe drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Van Cleefe drops back looking for a leg! Carvalho is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Carvalho manages to kick Van Cleefe off! Van Cleefe jumps back into Carvalho's guard.
Van Cleefe throws a big elbow that misses.
Van Cleefe trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Carvalho knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Van Cleefe on the ground.

Van Cleefe drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Van Cleefe jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Van Cleefe throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Carvalho works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Van Cleefe has gone for a leg lock! Carvalho slips out almost immediately though and dives into Van Cleefe's guard.

Van Cleefe wants to sweep but no luck.

Carvalho stands up and waves to Van Cleefe to follow him.
Van Cleefe looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Van Cleefe gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Carvalho is trying to push Van Cleefe away but Van Cleefe has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Van Cleefe tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Carvalho's elbow.
Van Cleefe wants a takedown but no success here.
Jonas Carvalho has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lee Van Cleefe.
Van Cleefe lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like Jonas Carvalho has been cut.
Carvalho tries to circle away but Van Cleefe has him pinned against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Cleefe has a couple of punches blocked by Carvalho.
Van Cleefe drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Carvalho tries to circle away but Van Cleefe has him pinned against the cage.
Van Cleefe lands a body punch.
Van Cleefe changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Carvalho fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Carvalho swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Van Cleefe will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Van Cleefe throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Carvalho was covering up waiting for the punch and Van Cleefe finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Van Cleefe controls from within his opponent's guard.
Van Cleefe is working Carvalho over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Van Cleefe drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Van Cleefe jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Carvalho is looking to stand up but Van Cleefe isn't so interested in that idea.
Carvalho will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Van Cleefe stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Carvalho swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Van Cleefe controlling from the top position.
Carvalho on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Carvalho tries to get out of the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Van Cleefe stops Carvalho from standing up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Lee Van Cleefe will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Van Cleefe swats away the attempt to clinch by Carvalho.
Carvalho throws a series of punches but Van Cleefe avoids them all with ease.

Van Cleefe closes the distance and pushes Carvalho back into the cage.
Van Cleefe lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Carvalho backwards.
Carvalho has had enough of the clinch but Van Cleefe keeps him there for the moment.
Van Cleefe wants a takedown but no success here.
Van Cleefe wants a takedown but no success here.
Van Cleefe goes for a takedown in the clinch but Carvalho prevents it.
Jonas Carvalho has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lee Van Cleefe.
Carvalho blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Van Cleefe goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Van Cleefe lands an elbow just above Carvalho 's eye.
Van Cleefe is looking for a takedown.
Van Cleefe stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Lee Van Cleefe seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Carvalho blocks a body shot from Van Cleefe.
Carvalho blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Cleefe prevents Carvalho from breaking the clinch.
Carvalho working hard to break the clinch.
Carvalho gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Van Cleefe.
Van Cleefe misses with a punch to the body.
Van Cleefe tries for a takedown. No joy.
Van Cleefe keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Carvalho's efforts to push away.

Van Cleefe lands a takedown into guard.
Lee Van Cleefe has got the better of the ground game so far.
Carvalho wants to stand up but Van Cleefe is controlling him.
Carvalho keeping moving, preventing Van Cleefe from controlling successfully.
Van Cleefe throwing strikes from guard but Carvalho blocks nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Cleefe postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Van Cleefe scoring with some ground and pound.
Carvalho wants to stand and escape but Van Cleefe is having none of it.
Van Cleefe pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Carvalho is keeping the position for now.

Van Cleefe thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Van Cleefe has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Van Cleefe pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Carvalho is keeping the position for now.
Van Cleefe slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Van Cleefe wants to control but Carvalho is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carvalho wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Van Cleefe tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Van Cleefe working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Van Cleefe tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Van Cleefe has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Van Cleefe thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Van Cleefe wants to control but Carvalho is keeping him busy.

Van Cleefe thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Van Cleefe is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Carvalho is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Van Cleefe tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Van Cleefe has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lee Van Cleefe showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

No joy there for Carvalho, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Carvalho moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Carvalho lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Carvalho.

Van Cleefe gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Van Cleefe is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Carvalho pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Van Cleefe lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Van Cleefe. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Carvalho wants to break free but Van Cleefe has control.
Van Cleefe lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Van Cleefe can't find room to land a body shot as Carvalho controls the action.
Good body shot from Van Cleefe.
Carvalho takes an elbow to the temple.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Van Cleefe prevents Carvalho from breaking the clinch.
Carvalho has had enough of the clinch but Van Cleefe keeps him there for the moment.
A short uppercut from Van Cleefe.
Van Cleefe is working for takedown but Carvalho is calmly controlling the position for now.
Van Cleefe scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Cleefe lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Carvalho or not.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Van Cleefe stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Van Cleefe lands a body punch in the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Van Cleefe.
Van Cleefe lands a right hand that snaps the head of Carvalho backwards.
Van Cleefe lands a body punch in the clinch.
Van Cleefe creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Carvalho's defenses.
Carvalho's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Van Cleefe lands a nice uppercut.
Van Cleefe scores with a nice hook to the head.
Van Cleefe lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Carvalho backwards.
Van Cleefe gets through Carvalho's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Van Cleefe gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Van Cleefe passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Cleefe scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Carvalho to see if he's OK.

Van Cleefe has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Carvalho is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Van Cleefe yanks on the arm and Carvalho is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Van Cleefe.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:29 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Lee Van Cleefe!
Lee Van Cleefe very nearly forgot to thank Vegan Gains amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.