PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Josh Spitler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yanick Goossens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yanick Goossens will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Spitler
vs
Goossens

201 cm
20
265 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

196 cm
23
265 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Josh Spitler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Yanick Goossens!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Nard Betker and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Goossens throws a head kick but Spitler moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Goossens.
Yanick Goossens seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Goossens misses with a body kick.

Spitler gets a takedown into half guard.
Goossens wants to get back to his feet.
Spitler trying to control from half guard but Goossens is working away.
Ground and pound from Spitler.
Goossens keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Spitler has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Spitler lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Spitler scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Spitler is keen to just control but Goossens is a slippery customer.
Goossens pushes Spitler off looking to stand but Spitler dives back in and keeps control.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Spitler blocks the strikes from Goossens.
Goossens is looking to escape.
Spitler scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goossens on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Spitler lands with a punch from half guard.
Goossens tries to kick Spitler off but Spitler keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Spitler drops an elbow to the side of Goossens's head.
Spitler lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Spitler seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Goossens does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Goossens pushes Spitler off looking to stand but Spitler dives back in and keeps control.
Goossens tries to get to full guard but Spitler has control of the leg.
Spitler lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Goossens taking some punishment here, with Spitler in his half guard.
Goossens tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Goossens is looking to escape.
Spitler scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Goossens flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Spitler prevents Goossens from standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spitler working over Goossens with some ground and pound. Goossens looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Goossens lands one or two decent shots to the body here. Although from his own half guard, he's not going to be causing too much damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Spitler working the head and body with strikes.
Spitler drops an elbow to the side of Goossens's head.
Spitler is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Spitler takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Goossens wants to get back to his feet.
Spitler working Goossens over with strikes.
Goossens on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Goossens is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Spitler scores with a couple of nice shots.
Goossens is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Spitler is pressing down on Goossens's thigh, looking to free his foot. Goossens is holding on for now.
Spitler working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Goossens punching from the bottom.
Goossens tries to kick Spitler off but Spitler keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goossens tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Spitler scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Spitler slips a nice elbow through Goossens's hands, connecting with Goossens's forehead.
Spitler slips a nice elbow through Goossens's hands, connecting with Goossens's forehead.
Nice strikes from Spitler there.
Spitler is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Spitler takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Goossens wants to improve his position but Spitler is controlling well.
Spitler lands strikes from half guard.
Goossens is in trouble now - Spitler has advanced to mount!
Spitler is breathing heavily.
Goossens is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Goossens is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Goossens throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Spitler with the ground and pound from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spitler pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Goossens throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Goossens is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Spitler cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Spitler lands a heavy elbow.
Goossens is in a horrible position here. Spitler smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Spitler landing strikes from the mount and Goossens is in trouble!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Spitler putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Spitler working the ground and pound effectively.
Goossens squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Spitler raining down shots from the mount!
Spitler with the ground and pound from mount.
Goossens in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Spitler dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Goossens looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Spitler misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Goossens lands a big head kick that sends Spitler tumbling to the mat! Goossens takes a step backwards and waves Spitler back to his feet - he wants the finish!

It looks like Josh Spitler has been cut.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Goossens.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Spitler steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Goossens.
Goossens tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Goossens tries a head kick but it misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Spitler avoids the head kick by Goossens.
Goossens throws a push kick but Spitler slaps the foot to one side.
Goossens lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Goossens throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Spitler scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Goossens is trying to stand.
Goossens is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Spitler scores with a couple of nice shots.
Spitler winds up and cracks Goossens with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Goossens punching from the bottom.
Goossens is staying active underneath Spitler, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Goossens throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Goossens is trying to stand back up but Spitler is controlling him

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Spitler is defended easily by Goossens.
The fighters circling - Goossens throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Goossens looks to land a left hand but Spitler moved out of range nicely.
Goossens throws the kick towards the body but Spitler avoids it.
Spitler slips a straight right by Goossens.
Goossens misses with a looping left.
Spitler takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Goossens throws a lazy right hand but Spitler sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Spitler blocks a head kick by Goossens.
Goossens pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Goossens rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Spitler moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick from Goossens misses.

Spitler changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Goossens looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Goossens pushes Spitler away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Spitler gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Goossens is looking for a sweep.
Goossens taking a bit of punishment here - Spitler scoring with strikes.
Spitler working the head and body with strikes.
Goossens misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Spitler creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Goossens is trying to get back to half guard.
Spitler cracks Goossens with an elbow. That is naaassty.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spitler works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Spitler working the body and head with strikes.
Goossens is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Josh Spitler overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Spitler scores with punches from side control.
Spitler working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Goossens is trying to buck Spitler off.
Goossens is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Spitler off and has taken his back!
Spitler rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Spitler is trying to maintain the position but Goossens is very close to passing his half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Goossens missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Goossens missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Spitler slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yanick Goossens showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Josh Spitler's cut.
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!

Goossens throws a hook but Spitler avoids it easily.
Goossens thows a body shot but no joy.
Spitler looks for a takedown but Goossens sprawls well.
Spitler avoids the head kick by Goossens.
Goossens looks to throw the jab but Spitler is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Goossens throws a head kick but Spitler moves out of range.
Spitler steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Goossens. That one must have hurt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Goossens waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Spitler.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goossens lands a nice leg kick that just misses Spitler's sensitive parts.
Spitler slips a jab and a cross from Goossens.
Goossens throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Goossens throws a hook but Spitler blocks it.
Goossens misses with an attempted mid kick.
Goossens looks to throw the jab but Spitler is out of range.
Goossens swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Goossens.
Goossens throws a sloppy head kick and Spitler moves out of range easily.

Spitler throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Goossens was covering up waiting for the punch and Spitler finishes the takedown easily into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spitler is in close to Goossens's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Spitler makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Spitler content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Goossens avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Spitler stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Goossens swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Spitler works over Goossens with some ground and pound from guard.
Spitler stops Goossens from standing up.
Goossens keeping busy, throwing shots from the bottom.
Goossens is looking to stand up but Spitler isn't so interested in that idea.

Goossens uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Goossens misses with a wild combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Spitler shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Spitler is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Spitler wants to free his trapped foot but Goossens is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Spitler blocks the strikes from Goossens.
Spitler sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Goossens defending well though.
Spitler missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Goossens is trying to stand.
Goossens blocking the ground and pound attempt from Spitler.
Goossens wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Goossens tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spitler moves out of range as Goossens strikes.

Spitler drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Spitler cracks Goossens with a big elbow.
Spitler landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Goossens wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.
Goossens wants to get back to his feet.
Spitler scoring with punches and elbows.
Goossens taking a bit of punishment here - Spitler scoring with strikes.
Goossens pushes Spitler away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Spitler gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Goossens takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Goossens is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Spitler lands a few punches from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Josh Spitler.
I think Spitler has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Wagner Zegers scores the fight 28:28
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 29:27
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Josh Spitler!