PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ethan Van Der Meer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Justin Renton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Renton is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Pinball Wizard. Ethan Van Der Meer had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Van Der Meer
vs
Renton

183 cm
23
198 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

182 cm
21
194 lbs
5 - 2 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Ethan Van Der Meer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 1, fighting out of London, Justin Renton!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Sam Margolis and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Renton keeps the fight on the outside.
Van Der Meer fails with an attempt to clinch.
Van Der Meer tries to clinch but Renton is having none of it.
Van Der Meer doesn't manage to clinch there - Renton circles away.
Van Der Meer tries to clinch there but Renton circles away.

Van Der Meer gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Van Der Meer scores a nice knee to the body.
Van Der Meer tries to land a knee to the head but Renton blocks with his arms.
Renton tries to land knees in the clinch but Van Der Meer avoids the damage to the body.
Renton is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Van Der Meer unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Van Der Meer scores with a knee to the head.

It looks like Justin Renton has been cut.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Van Der Meer obliges.
Renton looks gassed!
Van Der Meer dodges an elbow strike from Renton.
Van Der Meer dodges an elbow strike from Renton.
Renton tries a body shot but Van Der Meer blocks it.
The referee is keeping an eye on Renton - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Renton throws a punch but it's blocked by Van Der Meer.
Van Der Meer lands a nice knee to the body.
Van Der Meer with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Van Der Meer.
Van Der Meer with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Van Der Meer lands a nice knee to the body.
Van Der Meer working Renton over with knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Van Der Meer.
Van Der Meer lands a knee to the head.
Van Der Meer putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Renton in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Van Der Meer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Van Der Meer with a knee to the head.
Van Der Meer keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Renton's efforts to push away.
Van Der Meer lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

That has opened up Justin Renton's cut even more.
Van Der Meer lands a knee to the head.
Van Der Meer lands a knee to the head.
Van Der Meer lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Van Der Meer tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Renton fails to pull guard.
Renton looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Van Der Meer with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Renton pressing his opponent against the cage.
Van Der Meer using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Renton has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Van Der Meer connects with a knee to the head.
Renton tries to pull guard but Van Der Meer holds him up against the cage and eventually Renton drops back down to his feet.

Renton manages to pull guard.
Renton tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Renton working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Van Der Meer doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Van Der Meer manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Van Der Meer gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Van Der Meer tries to close the distance and clinch up but Renton swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Van Der Meer fails with an attempt to clinch.

Renton closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
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. Renton connects with a nice short shot to Van Der Meer's temple.
Renton drops an elbow to the side of Van Der Meer's head.
Renton sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Van Der Meer defending well though.
Van Der Meer wants to control but Renton is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Van Der Meer kicks Renton off and gets back to his feet.
Van Der Meer tries to clinch but Renton moves out of range.
Van Der Meer has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Renton finds it's way round the side to connect with Van Der Meer's head.
Van Der Meer tries to clinch there but Renton circles away.
Van Der Meer doesn't manage to clinch there - Renton circles away.

Renton has taken the fight to the clinch.

Renton pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Van Der Meer darts in trying to clinch
enabling Renton to counter with a crisp jab.
Renton looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Van Der Meer avoids the head kick by Renton.

Renton moves into the clinch.
Van Der Meer lands a knee to the head.
A hook to the body from Renton.
Renton with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Renton tries to break free but Van Der Meer pushes him back against the cage.
Van Der Meer tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Van Der Meer throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Renton blocks it with crossed arms.
Renton throws a head punch that misses.
Renton jumps guard but Van Der Meer stands there with Renton around his waist. Renton gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ethan Van Der Meer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Justin Renton.
Renton misses with a knee strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Meer blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Renton missing with knees to the body.
Van Der Meer looking to throw knees to the head but Renton is blocking nicely.
Renton is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Van Der Meer landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Renton tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Van Der Meer smiles and moves away.

Renton shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Van Der Meer's guard.
Renton trying to control but Van Der Meer is working from the bottom.
Renton connects with a couple of short punches.

Van Der Meer pushes Renton off and gets back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Van Der Meer wants to clinch but Renton slips to the side
and Renton counters with an inside leg kick.
Renton tests Van Der Meer's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Renton throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ethan Van Der Meer dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Justin Renton's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Renton circles away from the clinch attempt.
Renton throws a leg kick which misses Van Der Meer's front leg but catches the back leg as Van Der Meer tries to avoid it.
Van Der Meer closes the distance but Renton moves to the side

and Renton counters by moving into the clinch.
Renton tries to land knees in the clinch but Van Der Meer avoids the damage to the body.
Renton takes a knee to the side of the body.
Van Der Meer tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Renton jumps guard but Van Der Meer stands there with Renton around his waist. Renton gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Renton is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Van Der Meer with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Van Der Meer connects with a nasty looking knee right to Renton's face.
Van Der Meer tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Van Der Meer misses with a knee to the head.
Renton is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Van Der Meer is defending well for now.
Van Der Meer throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Renton blocks it with crossed arms.
Van Der Meer's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Renton scores with a nice hook to the head.

Renton drags the fight down to the ground.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Renton trying to control the position.
Renton will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Renton looking to control.

Renton looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Renton 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.

Renton is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Van Der Meer defends well.
Van Der Meer stopping the sweep attempt from Renton.

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.
Renton wants to hit a switch here but Van Der Meer passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Renton there!

Van Der Meer stands up from mount. Strange move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Renton looks to land a body kick but Van Der Meer moved away.
Van Der Meer wants to clinch.
Van Der Meer tries to clinch but Renton moves out of range.
A head kick from Renton lands but Van Der Meer takes it in his stride.
Van Der Meer tries to clinch

and Renton counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Van Der Meer with a knee to the head.
Van Der Meer blocks an elbow strike from Renton.
Renton tries to pull guard but Van Der Meer holds him up against the cage and eventually Renton drops back down to his feet.
Renton jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Van Der Meer walks away with a smile on his face. Renton gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Ethan Van Der Meer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Justin Renton.
Renton scores with a leg kick.
A shot to de liver by Renton. Beautiful body shot.
Van Der Meer tries to clinch but Renton moves away
and Renton cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Renton moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Renton throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Van Der Meer stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Renton shoots in for a takedown but Van Der Meer shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ethan Van Der Meer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Renton scores with a head kick.

Van Der Meer gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Renton to score an easy takedown into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Renton postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Van Der Meer looking for a guillotine here but Renton defends easily.
Van Der Meer controls Renton momentarily but Renton frees himself.

Renton 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.
Van Der Meer not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Renton showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Justin Renton's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Van Der Meer clinches but Renton breaks the clinch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Renton tries to close the distance and clinch up but Van Der Meer swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Renton circles away from the clinch attempt
and Renton counters with an inside leg kick.
Van Der Meer tries to clinch

and Renton counters with a single leg into guard. Van Der Meer didn't expect that.
Renton looking to pass the guard.
Van Der Meer utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Renton drops back looking for a leg! Van Der Meer is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Van Der Meer manages to kick Renton off! Renton jumps back into Van Der Meer's guard.
Renton trying to control the position from guard on top but Van Der Meer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Renton is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Renton won't allow Van Der Meer to sweep him here.
Renton throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Justin Renton has got the better of the ground game so far.
Van Der Meer is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Renton accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Renton landing some decent shots from guard.

Van Der Meer looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Renton pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Van Der Meer is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Renton postures up in Van Der Meer's guard and throws a big left but Van Der Meer blocks it.
Renton throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Van Der Meer works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Renton with a flurry of punches that miss.
Renton throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Van Der Meer works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Van Der Meer clinches but Renton breaks the clinch

and Renton counters by moving into the clinch.
Van Der Meer looking to throw knees to the head but Renton is blocking nicely.
Renton tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Van Der Meer just stands there and leans against the cage.
Van Der Meer is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Renton is defending well for now.
Renton tries to land a knee to the head but Van Der Meer blocks with his arms.
Renton wants to stall.
Renton tries a knee to the head but Van Der Meer blocks it.
Van Der Meer with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Renton tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Van Der Meer smiles and moves away.
Van Der Meer tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Renton counters with a flying knee. Nice.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Renton.
Ethan Van Der Meer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Justin Renton.
Van Der Meer wants to clinch
and Renton counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Van Der Meer clinches up against the cage.
Renton working hard to break the clinch.
Knees to the body from Van Der Meer.
Knees in the clinch landing for Van Der Meer.
Renton looking to stall.
Van Der Meer with a knee to the head.
Van Der Meer using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Renton has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Renton jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Van Der Meer walks away with a smile on his face. Renton gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Van Der Meer doesn't manage to clinch there - Renton circles away.
Van Der Meer tries to clinch up but Renton circles away and keeps his distance.
Van Der Meer takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Renton scoring well with a low kick there.
Van Der Meer tries to clinch up but Renton circles away and keeps his distance.
Van Der Meer tries to clinch up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Meer wants to clinch up but Renton keeps it at a distance.
Van Der Meer tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Renton paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Renton shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Van Der Meer is trying to defend but Renton finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Renton is keen to just control but Van Der Meer is a slippery customer.
Van Der Meer wants to get back to his feet.
Van Der Meer trying to control from the bottom.
Renton wants to control but Van Der Meer is keeping him busy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Justin Renton comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Renton 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Justin Renton!