PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marco Van Hannegem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bob Sandler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Van Hannegem
vs
Sandler

190 cm
23
212 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Rivers Edge Nutrition

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Marco Van Hannegem!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Bob Sandler!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Patrick Alders and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sandler misses with a wild body shot.

Van Hannegem feints and as Sandler raises his hands in defense, Van Hannegem changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Sandler is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Van Hannegem working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Van Hannegem trying to control but Sandler is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Van Hannegem accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Sandler looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Van Hannegem in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Van Hannegem with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sandler keeping full guard, as Van Hannegem tries to pass.
Van Hannegem wants to get up but he can't break Sandler's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Hannegem throwing strikes from guard but Sandler blocks nicely.
Van Hannegem working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sandler wants to stand but Van Hannegem is controlling the position.
Van Hannegem trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Van Hannegem tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Sandler paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Van Hannegem avoids a punch combination nicely.
Van Hannegem slips under a jab.
Van Hannegem tries to clinch but Sandler moves out of range.
Van Hannegem throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

It looks like Bob Sandler has been cut.
Good exchange - Van Hannegem coming out on top.
Sandler throws a hook to the side of Van Hannegem's head but Van Hannegem sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Van Hannegem shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sandler sprawls well. Sandler wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Van Hannegem gets slowly back to his feet.
Sandler avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Van Hannegem scores with a takedown into Sandler's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sandler looking to hit a scissor sweep but Van Hannegem is one step ahead there.
Sandler avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Van Hannegem working some strikes from top position.
Sandler working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Van Hannegem.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Sandler looking for a sweep. Not yet Sandler, not yet.
Sandler looks gassed!
Van Hannegem wants to control from the top but Sandler keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sandler looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Van Hannegem thows a big elbow that misses.
Sandler looking to hit a scissor sweep but Van Hannegem is one step ahead there.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Van Hannegem tries to clinch up but Sandler circles away and keeps his distance.
Van Hannegem scores with a jab. Sandler acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Van Hannegem throws a series of strikes that have Sandler backpedaling.
Van Hannegem doesn't manage to clinch there - Sandler circles away.
Van Hannegem tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sandler swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sandler throws a left and a right that both miss
and Van Hannegem counters with a series of strikes. Sandler will be more careful next time no doubt.

Van Hannegem shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Van Hannegem showed some decent athleticism there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Van Hannegem is taking a breather. Sandler says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Hannegem trying to pass the guard but Sandler defending well.
Van Hannegem slows the pace down in half guard.
Van Hannegem missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Van Hannegem is trying to control. Sandler wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Van Hannegem wants to pass the guard but Sandler is defending well.

Van Hannegem is looking for a kimura but Sandler is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Van Hannegem to get the leverage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Van Hannegem not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Van Hannegem looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Van Hannegem is working for a submission of some sort.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marco Van Hannegem dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bob Sandler's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Van Hannegem lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Sandler avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Van Hannegem scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Van Hannegem tries to clinch up but Sandler circles away and keeps his distance.
Van Hannegem tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The fight stays on the outside here - Van Hannegem looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Van Hannegem looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sandler is fending him off so far but Van Hannegem persists. Nope, Sandler circles away and we're back to standing.
Van Hannegem tries to clinch up.
Van Hannegem tries to close the distance and clinch but Sandler swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sandler misses with a double jab

so Van Hannegem counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Sandler is breathing heavily.
Van Hannegem wanted to stand there but Sandler had control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sandler manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Van Hannegem manages to get himself to full guard.
Van Hannegem not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Van Hannegem looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sandler is one step ahead there.
Sandler trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sandler stands and throws Van Hannegem's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Van Hannegem is trying to control Sandler's posture but Sandler avoids it.
Van Hannegem is looking to reverse the position.
Van Hannegem is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

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.
Van Hannegem wants to control but Sandler postures up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Van Hannegem gets a clinch.
Sandler looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Sandler throws a head punch that misses.
Van Hannegem fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Van Hannegem breaks the clinch.

Van Hannegem instigates a clinch.

Van Hannegem manages to break the clinch.
Van Hannegem is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Van Hannegem shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Marco Van Hannegem overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Van Hannegem prevents Sandler from improving his position.
Van Hannegem wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sandler keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sandler avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Van Hannegem.
Sandler blocking the ground and pound attempt from Van Hannegem.
Sandler avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Van Hannegem.
Sandler is looking to improve his position.
Van Hannegem trying to control the action but Sandler is working from the bottom.
Sandler on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Van Hannegem wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sandler keeps working.
Van Hannegem knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Sandler on the ground.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Sandler throws a left and a right that both miss
and Van Hannegem counters with a left and a right that stings Sandler.

Van Hannegem feints and as Sandler raises his hands in defense, Van Hannegem changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Van Hannegem is looking to work some ground and pound but Sandler has wrist control.
Van Hannegem thows a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Hannegem throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sandler works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sandler being controlled here, momentarily.
Van Hannegem is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sandler can do to turn this around?
Van Hannegem throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Van Hannegem tries to free his leg and advance position but Sandler is retaining full guard.
Van Hannegem thows a big elbow that misses.
Sandler working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Van Hannegem.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sandler swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Van Hannegem counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Van Hannegem tries to clinch but Sandler moves out of range.
Marco Van Hannegem is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Van Hannegem looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Van Hannegem sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sandler defending well though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marco Van Hannegem dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Bob Sandler's cut.
That's time! Van Hannegem's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Van Hannegem doesn't manage to clinch there - Sandler circles away.
Van Hannegem tries to close the distance and clinch but Sandler swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sandler circles away from the clinch attempt.

Van Hannegem scores with a takedown into Sandler's guard.
Van Hannegem is looking to work some ground and pound but Sandler has wrist control.

Van Hannegem drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Sandler manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Van Hannegem has Sandler in his guard.
Van Hannegem not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sandler takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Van Hannegem trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Van Hannegem looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Sandler puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Sandler wants to pass the guard but Van Hannegem is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Hannegem desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Van Hannegem missing with punches from the bottom.
Sandler is pressing down on Van Hannegem's thigh, looking to free his foot. Van Hannegem is holding on for now.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Van Hannegem tries to clinch there but Sandler circles away.
Van Hannegem is looking to clinch.
Van Hannegem ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Bob Sandler is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Van Hannegem scores with a one two! Sandler had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Van Hannegem drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Van Hannegem staying calm.
Van Hannegem trying to control the action but Sandler is working from the bottom.
Van Hannegem throws an elbow but Sandler slips to the side and avoids it well.
Van Hannegem controlling the position from side mount.
Sandler is trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Hannegem wants to control but Sandler is keeping him busy.
Van Hannegem sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Sandler is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Sandler circles away from the clinch attempt.
Van Hannegem is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Van Hannegem steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sandler.
Sandler avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Van Hannegem tries to clinch there but Sandler circles away.

Van Hannegem has managed to clinch.
Van Hannegem throws a punch but it's blocked by Sandler.

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.
Sandler swings wildly with an uppercut but Van Hannegem uses good head movement to avoid it.
Van Hannegem scores with a shot to the side of Sandler's head.
Sandler can't break the clinch.
Sandler takes a shot to the head.

Van Hannegem manages to break the clinch.
Van Hannegem tries to clinch there but Sandler circles away.

Van Hannegem gets a takedown into half guard.
Bob Sandler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Van Hannegem trying to control the pace.
Marco Van Hannegem is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Van Hannegem throwing shots but Sandler is blocking nicely.
Sandler keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Van Hannegem throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Van Hannegem takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marco Van Hannegem showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Van Hannegem has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 30:26
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 30:27
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marco Van Hannegem!