PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Berend Botje (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Herman Schultz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Schultz is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Kernkraft 400 by Zombie Nation. Herman Schultz will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Botje
vs
Schultz

188 cm
18
218 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
20
220 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Prefers ground

BJJ White Belt
Decent knees
Determined

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Berend Botje!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Herman Schultz!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Wagner Zegers and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Schultz doesn't manage to clinch there - Botje circles away.

Botje scores with a takedown into Schultz's guard.

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

Botje drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Schultz manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Botje has Schultz in his guard.

Schultz got a little sloppy there for a moment and Botje has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Schultz has managed to get both his arms back between Botje's legs - danger averted.
Schultz is looking to stand up but Botje won't let him.

Botje is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Schultz must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Botje had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Schultz is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Botje Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Schultz's back instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Botje seems to be going for a rear naked choke. He has an arm under Schultz's chin but Schultz turns very nicely into Botje's guard. Good BJJ skills being displayed there by Schultz.
Botje is breathing heavily.
Schultz wants to stand but Botje is controlling his posture from full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Botje patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schultz tries to escape but Botje has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Botje avoiding Schultz 's attempts to control his hands.

Schultz showing good submission defense here.

Botje looking for the RNC.

Botje working for the choke.

Botje is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Schultz knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Schultz for a finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schultz trying to control the position but Botje manages to sink in the hooks.
Schultz is trying to break free.
Botje is trying to stick to Schultz's back but Schultz is turning into Botje. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Botje's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Schultz.
Botje has a closed guard, preventing Schultz from standing up.

Botje isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Schultz stacks Botje 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 Schultz!

Schultz decides to stand back up.

Schultz forces Botje back against the cage and clinches.
Botje tries for a takedown but Schultz manages to get underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schultz lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Schultz gets through Botje's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Schultz lands a hook that snaps the head of Botje backwards.

Schultz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Schultz fails with an attempt to clinch.
Botje circles away from the clinch attempt.
Berend Botje seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jab by Schultz.
Herman Schultz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Schultz tries to clinch there but Botje circles away.
Schultz is looking to clinch.
Schultz digs a good body shot into Botje's ribs.
Botje circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Schultz!
Botje shoots in for a takedown but Schultz shows good takedown defense.
Schultz moves in looking to clinch but Botje pushes him off.
Schultz tries to close the distance and clinch but Botje swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Schultz scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Schultz moves in looking to clinch but Botje pushes him off.

Schultz has taken the fight to the clinch.
Schultz lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Botje is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Berend Botje. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Schultz connects with a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Berend Botje will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Schultz tries to clinch but Botje is having none of it.
Botje fails to land the takedown.
Botje circles away from the clinch attempt.
Botje fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Botje keeps the fight on the outside.
Botje shoots for a takedown but Schultz saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Berend Botje. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Schultz tries to clinch up.
Schultz tries to close the distance and clinch but Botje swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Schultz tries to clinch up but Botje circles away and keeps his distance.
Botje circles away from the clinch attempt.
Schultz tries to clinch but Botje is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Schultz drops Botje with a beautiful combination! Botje stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Schultz is looking for the KO!

It looks like Berend Botje has been cut.
Schultz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Botje paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Schultz tries to clinch up.

Schultz darts in and clinches Botje up against the cage.
Botje tries for a takedown but Schultz manages to get underhooks.
Schultz with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Schultz landing knees to the body.
Knees to the body from Schultz.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schultz lands an elbow just above Botje 's eye.

Schultz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Botje shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Schultz fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Botje, pushing him back against the cage.
Schultz lands an elbow inside.
Schultz lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Botje backwards.
Botje can't get the takedown.
Botje takes a knee right on the jaw!
Schultz lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Schultz connects with a nasty looking knee right to Botje's face.

Schultz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The fight stays on the outside here - Schultz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Botje fails with a takedown attempt.
Schultz is looking to clinch.
Botje shoots in for a double leg but Schultz sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Berend Botje is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Schultz doesn't manage to clinch there - Botje circles away.
Schultz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Botje avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Schultz connects with a right hand. Botje shakes it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Botje shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Schultz pinned against the cage. Schultz gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Schultz tries to clinch up but Botje circles away and keeps his distance.
Botje fails with a takedown attempt.
Schultz fails in his attempt to clinch.
Schultz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Botje swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Botje fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Schultz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Schultz darts in and clinches Botje up against the cage.
Schultz prevents the takedown attempt.
Schultz utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Schultz lands a body shot.
Schultz stalling in the clinch.
Schultz scores with a knee to the head.
Botje takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Schultz breaks the clinch.
Botje fails with the takedown.

Schultz gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Schultz's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Botje wants a takedown.
Schultz is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Schultz stops a takedown attempt from Botje.
Schultz lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Schultz landing knees to the head.
Schultz with a knee to the head.
Schultz trying to control the position but instead, Botje has worked for underhooks and has pushed Schultz into the cage.
Schultz is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Schultz is looking to break free of the clinch but Botje has double underhooks.
Botje drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Botje has Schultz pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Schultz manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schultz lands a knee to the head.
Botje tries for a takedown but Schultz manages to get underhooks.
Botje has Schultz pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Schultz manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Schultz connects with a knee to the head.
Schultz prevents a takedown attempt there.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Botje wants a takedown but no success here.
Botje takes an elbow to the forehead.
Schultz gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Schultz tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Schultz prevents a takedown attempt there.
Botje letting Schultz take a breather here.
Schultz with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Botje has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Schultz is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Schultz stalling in the clinch.
Botje is working for takedown but Schultz is calmly controlling the position for now.
Schultz connects with a knee to the head.
Schultz prevents the takedown attempt.
Schultz stops a takedown attempt from Botje.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Herman Schultz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Berend Botje's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Schultz has managed to clinch.

Schultz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Schultz has taken the fight to the clinch.
Botje has Schultz pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Schultz manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Botje goes for a takedown attempt but Schultz pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Schultz scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Schultz fails with an attempt to clinch.
Botje shoots for a double leg takedown but Schultz sprawls well. He's pushed Botje's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Berend Botje. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Schultz wants to clinch.
Schultz tries to clinch up.
Botje shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Schultz defends it nicely.
Schultz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Schultz is looking to clinch but Botje is avoiding it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Schultz stuffs the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Botje keeps the fight on the outside.
Botje fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Schultz avoids it really well and circles away.

Schultz instigates a clinch.
Schultz scores with a knee to the head.
Schultz stops a takedown attempt from Botje.

Schultz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Botje circles away from the clinch attempt.
Schultz wants to clinch up but Botje keeps it at a distance.
Schultz doesn't manage to clinch there - Botje circles away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Botje.
The fight stays on the outside here - Schultz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Schultz tries to clinch up but Botje circles away and keeps his distance.
Schultz fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Botje.
Schultz tries to clinch but Botje moves out of range.
Schultz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Schultz scores with a one two! Botje had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Schultz clinches up with Botje and pushes him back against the cage.
Botje is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Schultz pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Schultz manages to break the clinch.

Botje tries to keep at a distance but Schultz has taken the fight into the clinch.
Schultz lands an elbow that stopped Botje in his tracks for a moment.
Schultz lands a good knee to the midsection. Botje won't want to take too many of those.
Botje goes for a takedown attempt but Schultz pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Schultz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Botje paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Schultz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Botje swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Botje looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Schultz is fending him off so far but Botje persists. Nope, Schultz circles away and we're back to standing.

Botje tries to keep at a distance but Schultz has taken the fight into the clinch.

Schultz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Schultz wants to clinch.
Schultz scores with a nice right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schultz is looking to clinch but Botje is avoiding it.
Schultz stuffs the takedown.
Botje keeps the fight on the outside.
Schultz wants to clinch.
Schultz tries to clinch up.
Schultz tries to close the distance and clinch but Botje swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Schultz darts in and clinches Botje up against the cage.
Herman Schultz seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Botje has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Schultz is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Schultz breaks from the clinch.
Schultz is looking to clinch.
Schultz tries to close the distance and clinch but Botje swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Schultz doesn't manage to clinch there - Botje circles away.
Left hook, right uppercut from Schultz.
Botje is trying hard to land a takedown here. Schultz sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Schultz tries to clinch up but Botje circles away and keeps his distance.

Schultz instigates a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schultz lands a nice knee to the body.
Schultz scores with a knee to the head.
Botje has Schultz pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Schultz manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Botje looking for a takedown.

Schultz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Botje throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Schultz's waist but Schultz gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Botje off to one side.
Left hook, right uppercut from Schultz.
Schultz slaps away a takedown attempt from Botje, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Schultz keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Schultz fails in his attempt to clinch.
Botje swats away the attempt to clinch by Schultz.
Botje closes this distance looking for a takedown but Schultz circles away.
Botje swats away the attempt to clinch by Schultz.
Botje on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Schultz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Botje paws at him with a jab and circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Herman Schultz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Schultz has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 26:29
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 26:29
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Herman Schultz!