PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Neal Monnelli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rutger Van Dijk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Monnelli comes to the cage accompanied by Legenda - Where the Devils Dance. Van Dijk is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Notorius B.I.G - Hypnotize. Rutger Van Dijk has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Neal Monnelli's chin.

Monnelli
vs
Van Dijk

225 cm
22
312 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

195 cm
21
330 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

FinnFighters Nutrition

Blitzkrieg Formula 5000 Cardio

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Neal Monnelli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rutger Van Dijk!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Radbod Blank and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Van Dijk throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Monnelli misses with a takedown attempt - Van Dijk sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Monnelli looks for a takedown but Van Dijk sprawls well.

Monnelli scores a takedown into full mount!

Monnelli looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Monnelli jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Van Dijk manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Monnelli trying to control the position but Van Dijk is working away.
Monnelli tries to advance to mount but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Monnelli working the strikes but Van Dijk uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monnelli thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Van Dijk trying to control here.
Van Dijk is pressing down on Monnelli's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Monnelli in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Monnelli trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Monnelli won't allow Van Dijk to sweep him here.
Van Dijk is adopting a defensive guard.
Monnelli looking to pass the guard.

That's two 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.
Monnelli trying to control the position from guard on top but Van Dijk is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Van Dijk is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Monnelli passes Van Dijk's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Monnelli wants to pass the guard but Van Dijk is defending well.
Van Dijk trying to control here.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Monnelli is working for a kimura but Van Dijk is defending it quite comfortably.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Dijk is pressing down on Monnelli's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Monnelli trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Van Dijk wants to slow Monnelli down by chopping away at his legs.
Van Dijk throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Monnelli slips a jab and a cross from Van Dijk.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Monnelli closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Van Dijk to the mat! Van Dijk manages to get full guard.
Monnelli trying to control but Van Dijk is working from the bottom.
Van Dijk has control of Monnelli's left arm, preventing Monnelli from doing any damage.
Monnelli trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Monnelli trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Van Dijk manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Monnelli looking for a sweep. Not yet Monnelli, not yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Monnelli manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Van Dijk is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Neal Monnelli dominated that round.
That's time! Monnelli's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Monnelli uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Van Dijk.
Monnelli shoots in and drives through. Van Dijk sprawls well.
Van Dijk stuffs the takedown.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Monnelli.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Neal Monnelli. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Monnelli throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Van Dijk's waist but Van Dijk gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Monnelli off to one side.
Monnelli keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Van Dijk.
Nice takedown defense from Van Dijk. No joy for Monnelli on that attempt.
Van Dijk misses with a two punch combination.
Van Dijk defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Monnelli.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Monnelli.
Van Dijk throws a body punch but Monnelli moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Monnelli shoots in looking for a takedown. Van Dijk tries to sprawl out of it but Monnelli keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Van Dijk manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Horrible takedown by Monnelli or perhaps it was just good defense by Van Dijk which made him look bad.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Monnelli scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Van Dijk gets back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monnelli advances position into side control!
Van Dijk sneaks back into half guard.
Van Dijk keeping control of the position.
Monnelli wants to take a breather but Van Dijk is having none of it.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Monnelli connects with a nice short shot to Van Dijk's temple.

Van Dijk is defending against the submission attempts here by Monnelli.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Monnelli is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Monnelli tries to pass to full mount but Van Dijk defends it.
Monnelli is looking to pass Van Dijk's guard but actually Van Dijk recovers to full guard.
Van Dijk tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monnelli postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Monnelli wants to control from the top but Van Dijk keeps moving.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Monnelli shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Monnelli shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Monnelli shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Van Dijk defends it nicely.
Van Dijk misses with an uppercut. Monnelli saw that one coming.
Monnelli fails with a takedown attempt.
Monnelli shoots in for a takedown but Van Dijk shows good takedown defense.
Monnelli fails with a takedown attempt.
Rutger Van Dijk is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A jab from Van Dijk misses.

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.
No luck for Monnelli with that takedown attempt.
Van Dijk is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Monnelli.
Van Dijk is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Monnelli fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Van Dijk avoids it really well and circles away.
No joy there for Van Dijk, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Monnelli avoids a punch combination nicely.
Monnelli tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Van Dijk swivels and escapes.
Monnelli shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Van Dijk defends it nicely.
A telegraphed right hand from Van Dijk misses the target.
Monnelli fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Monnelli looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Horrible takedown by Monnelli or perhaps it was just good defense by Van Dijk which made him look bad.
A telegraphed right hand from Van Dijk misses the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rutger Van Dijk showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Monnelli fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nice takedown defense from Van Dijk. No joy for Monnelli on that attempt.
Neal Monnelli seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Van Dijk looks to land a left hand but Monnelli moved out of range nicely.
Monnelli changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Van Dijk tries to avoid it but Monnelli manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Van Dijk to the ground. Van Dijk escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Neal Monnelli. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Monnelli looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Van Dijk looks to land a combination but Monnelli avoids it well.
Monnelli fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Monnelli fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Van Dijk lands a big right hand that sends Monnelli crashing to the mat! Van Dijk stays standing though and waves Monnelli back to his feet!

Monnelli is rocked!

It looks like Neal Monnelli has been cut.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Van Dijk measures up his opponent and throws a superman punch that connects to the jaw! Down goes Monnelli! The ref steps in, and that's the ball game folks!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:42 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Superman Punch). Rutger Van Dijk!