PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Klaas Jan Tijhoff (ranked 163 p4p, 671 weight class) and Mae Joon (ranked 23 p4p, 80 weight class). Mae Joon will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Tijhoff
vs
Joon

183 cm
25
164
13 - 5 - 0

170 cm
24
161
12 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Klaas Jan Tijhoff!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mae Joon!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Tiny Johnson and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tijhoff instigates a clinch.

Tijhoff pulls Joon into guard.

Joon thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Joon is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Tijhoff working for a triangle but Joon defends it easily.
Joon trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tijhoff working a defensive guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Joon thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Tijhoff keeping full guard, as Joon tries to pass.

Joon is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Joon is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Tijhoff is looking for a triangle but Joon pushes his legs off easily.
Tijhoff controls Joon momentarily but Joon frees himself.
Joon wants to pass the guard but Tijhoff is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Joon thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Tijhoff working for a triangle but Joon defends it easily.
Tijhoff definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Tijhoff trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Tijhoff looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Tijhoff keeping full guard, as Joon tries to pass.

Tijhoff had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Joon defends it easily.
Joon tries to free his leg and advance position but Tijhoff is retaining full guard.

Joon is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Joon thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Joon advances to half guard.
Tijhoff trying to control from the bottom.
Joon wants to pass the guard but Tijhoff is defending well.
Tijhoff wants to control but Joon is keeping busy.

Joon is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Tijhoff trying to control from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Joon is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Tijhoff doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Joon.

Joon seems to be looking for submissions.

Joon is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Tijhoff is just riding it out for now. Joon eventually gives up the hold.
Tijhoff wants to control but Joon is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Joon is trying to work for a kimura but Tijhoff is defending well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Tijhoff takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Tijhoff steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Joon.
Tijhoff takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

It looks like Klaas Jan Tijhoff has been cut.
Mae Joon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tijhoff defending well as Joon loads up on a big left hand.

Tijhoff shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Joon napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Joon tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Tijhoff trying to control the position but Joon is working away.
Joon is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Joon looking for submissions off his back.
Joon is not content to let Tijhoff control the position.
Tijhoff drops an elbow to the side of Joon's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Joon is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Tijhoff pulls his head out easily.
Tijhoff slows the pace down in half guard.
Joon is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Tijhoff scores with a couple of nice shots.

Joon is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Tijhoff pulls his head out easily.

Joon actively working from the bottom here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Joon wants to improve his position but Tijhoff is controlling well.

Joon actively working from the bottom here.
Tijhoff lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Joon is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Tijhoff pulls his head out easily.

Joon with the active half guard here but Tijhoff passes nicely into side control.
Tijhoff just content to control the position.
Joon is trying to get back to half guard.
Joon is still trying to improve position.
Tijhoff happy to just control the position for now.
Klaas Jan Tijhoff overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Joon is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tijhoff gets to mount! Joon was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Joon is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Tijhoff content just to control the position here.
Joon working to try and regain half guard.
Tijhoff will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Tijhoff trying to control but Joon is having none of it.
Joon wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Tijhoff has the hooks in. Joon is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Tijhoff tightening his grip on Joon, looking for the choke.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Joon is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Tijhoff gets his way!
A bit of a pause in the action here. Tijhoff controlling the positon.

Tijhoff looking to break Joon's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Joon remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Tijhoff will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Tijhoff has the hooks in. Joon is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Joon is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Tijhoff working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Joon tries to roll but Tijhoff sticks to his back.
Joon is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Klaas Jan Tijhoff dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Klaas Jan Tijhoff's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Joon throws a hook but Tijhoff avoids it easily.
Tijhoff drops down looking for a counter takedown but Joon sprawls and moves away.

Tijhoff closes the distance and clinches.

Tijhoff pulls guard effortlessly.

Joon thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Tijhoff looking for a guillotine here but Joon defends easily.

Joon drops back looking for a leg! Tijhoff is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Tijhoff manages to kick Joon off! Joon jumps back into Tijhoff's guard.

Joon thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Joon is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joon advances to half guard.

Joon is working for a submission of some sort.
Tijhoff trying to control from the bottom.

Joon is looking for a kimura but Tijhoff is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Joon to get the leverage.
Tijhoff is trying is best to control the position here.
Tijhoff makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Tijhoff.
Joon looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Joon drops back looking for a leg! Tijhoff is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Tijhoff manages to kick Joon off! Joon jumps back into Tijhoff's guard.

Joon drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Joon jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Joon thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Joon is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Joon takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tijhoff wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

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

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

Joon looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Tijhoff passes into side control.
Tijhoff works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Joon felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Tijhoff gets to mount! Joon was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Tijhoff controlling from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joon is looking to improve his position but Tijhoff isn't that keen on the idea.
Tijhoff tries to control but Joon wriggling away.
Joon tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Joon has given up his back - I don’t know if this is a deliberate ploy to try and escape or if he is just struggling down there.

Tijhoff working for the choke.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tijhoff doesn't have the hooks in and Joon manages to turn into his guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Joon wants to pass the guard but Tijhoff is keeping the position.
Tijhoff trying to control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Klaas Jan Tijhoff clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Klaas Jan Tijhoff's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Joon throws the left hand but Tijhoff avoids the punch easily.
Nice defenses there by Tijhoff.
Tijhoff defending well as Joon loads up on a big left hand.
Tijhoff tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tijhoff bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Joon scores with a nice right hand.
Joon misses with a left hand

and Tijhoff counters with a nice double leg into side control. Joon won't be happy with that.
Joon gets back to half guard.

Tijhoff is working for a kimura but Joon is defending it quite comfortably.
Joon wants to get back to full guard.

Tijhoff looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tijhoff tries to pass to full mount but Joon defends it.

Joon actively working from the bottom here.
Tijhoff has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Joon bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Joon trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Joon drops back looking for a leg! Tijhoff is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Tijhoff manages to kick Joon off! Joon jumps back into Tijhoff's guard.

Joon is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Tijhoff not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Joon stands and throws Tijhoff's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Joon tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Tijhoff is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Joon off and has taken his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
I really don't envy Joon right now.
Joon looking very determined here, making life difficult for Tijhoff.
Joon tries to break free.
Joon is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Joon tries to escape the position.
Tijhoff controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Tijhoff is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Joon defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Joon is trying to break free.
Joon keeps trying to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Tijhoff is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Joon tries to break free.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Klaas Jan Tijhoff had his way with Mae Joon in that round.
The cut man is working on Klaas Jan Tijhoff's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Joon throws a right hand that misses

and Tijhoff counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Joon isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Tijhoff stacks Joon on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Tijhoff!
Tijhoff trying to control the position but Joon is working away.
Joon is trying to work for a sweep but Tijhoff has mounted him!
Joon is trying to escape the mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joon wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Joon wants to escape the position.
Joon manages to reverse the position and now he's in Tijhoff's guard. Nice work there by Joon.
Tijhoff controls Joon momentarily but Joon frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tijhoff has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Joon doesn't defend quickly enough and Tijhoff has managed to lock this one up! Can Joon escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Tijhoff on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:20 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Klaas Jan Tijhoff!
Klaas Jan Tijhoff retains his lightweight title!
An out of breath and clearly excited Klaas Jan Tijhoff thanked Nevermore Clothing Co for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).