PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Torquemada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Royston De Noteboom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Torquemada comes to the cage accompanied by Anthrax - 1000 Points of Hate. De Noteboom has chosen Rotting Christ - Snowing Still as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Torquemada
vs
De Noteboom

185 cm
25
236 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

185 cm
25
271 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Xavier Torquemada!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Royston De Noteboom!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Daniel Blasius and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Torquemada tries to clinch but De Noteboom moves out of range.

Torquemada bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Torquemada tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
De Noteboom is letting Torquemada control him for a moment.
De Noteboom has one of Torquemada's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.

Torquemada tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Noteboom tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Torquemada wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Torquemada is trying to move to mount but De Noteboom reverses beautifully and ends up in Torquemada's guard.

Torquemada looking for submissions from the bottom but instead De Noteboom passes into half guard.

Torquemada looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

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.
De Noteboom controlling the action here.
Torquemada is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Torquemada slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Torquemada is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Torquemada is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Torquemada escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. De Noteboom gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Torquemada trying to control the position here.
Torquemada can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as De Noteboom controls the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Torquemada is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Torquemada looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Torquemada controls De Noteboom momentarily but De Noteboom frees himself.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Torquemada has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. De Noteboom is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Torquemada.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Torquemada is trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Torquemada dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

De Noteboom doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Torquemada counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Torquemada trying to control the pace.
Torquemada is stalling here. De Noteboom is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Torquemada seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and De Noteboom has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Torquemada is looking to reverse the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Torquemada is working hard here to advance position.

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

De Noteboom drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Torquemada tries to improve position but can't.
Torquemada is trying to control De Noteboom's posture but De Noteboom avoids it.
You can see the frustration on Torquemada's face as De Noteboom controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Torquemada is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Torquemada wants to control but De Noteboom postures up.
Torquemada tries to get back to half guard but can't.
De Noteboom laying and praying for a moment but Torquemada takes advantage and regains half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Torquemada misses with a takedown

so De Noteboom counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Torquemada looking for submissions from the bottom but instead De Noteboom passes into half guard.
De Noteboom looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Torquemada is trying to get back to full guard.
De Noteboom is trying to control. Torquemada wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Torquemada is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but De Noteboom pulls his head out easily.

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.
Torquemada is trying to get back to full guard.
Torquemada wants to control but De Noteboom passes into side.
Torquemada is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Torquemada wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Royston De Noteboom 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.

Torquemada with a lazy takedown attempt

and De Noteboom counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Torquemada wants to control the position but De Noteboom says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

Torquemada looking for submissions off his back.
Torquemada is trying to get back to full guard.
Torquemada is trying to control but De Noteboom manages to pass to mount!
Torquemada tries to hold on but De Noteboom pushes him away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Torquemada keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Torquemada holds on for dear life.
Torquemada is looking to improve his position but De Noteboom isn't that keen on the idea.
Torquemada tries to hold on but De Noteboom pushes him away.
De Noteboom controlling the position easily from mount.
Torquemada is looking to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Torquemada tries to hold on but De Noteboom postures up.
Torquemada is trying to escape the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
De Noteboom controlling the pace for now.
Torquemada really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Torquemada is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Torquemada is wriggling around trying to escape.
De Noteboom wants to control the pace but Torquemada is squirming around nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Royston De Noteboom really dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Torquemada shoots in and bounces De Noteboom off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Torquemada throwing strikes from guard but De Noteboom blocks nicely.
Torquemada wants to control from the top but De Noteboom keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Noteboom is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Torquemada is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Torquemada trying to control the position from guard on top but De Noteboom is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Torquemada advances position into side control!
Torquemada looking to control but instead De Noteboom has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
De Noteboom is refusing to be controlled, as Torquemada sits in half guard.

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.

Torquemada is working for a submission of some sort.
Torquemada tries to pass the half guard into mount. De Noteboom knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Royston De Noteboom has got the better of the ground game so far.
De Noteboom blocking the ground and pound attempt from Torquemada.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Torquemada stalling away here and it's allowed De Noteboom to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Torquemada passes into half guard.

Torquemada is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so De Noteboom is just riding it out for now. Torquemada eventually gives up the hold.
Torquemada is thwarting De Noteboom's attempts to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Torquemada wants to pass the guard but De Noteboom is defending well.
Torquemada wants to lay and pray for a moment but De Noteboom keeps working.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Xavier Torquemada just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
De Noteboom has his takedown stuffed

and Torquemada counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Torquemada throwing strikes from guard but De Noteboom blocks nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Torquemada had his way with Royston De Noteboom in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Torquemada gets the takedown into side control.
Torquemada tries to move to mount but De Noteboom blocks the move with his legs.
You can see the frustration on De Noteboom's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Torquemada looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Torquemada goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, De Noteboom has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Torquemada but great work by De Noteboom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Noteboom is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Torquemada's shoulder. That is not cool.
Torquemada tries to buck De Noteboom off but De Noteboom is having none of it.
De Noteboom working away.
Torquemada tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but De Noteboom wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
De Noteboom wants to control but Torquemada is keeping him busy.
Torquemada manages to get back to half guard.
Torquemada trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Torquemada slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Torquemada is looking to control De Noteboom's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Torquemada avoid being mounted?
Torquemada tries to get to full guard but De Noteboom has control of the leg.
Torquemada trying to control here.

Torquemada looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Torquemada is looking for a sweep. De Noteboom is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Noteboom is looking to take a break and control but Torquemada is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Torquemada wants to get back to full guard but De Noteboom has passed into side control.
Torquemada is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

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.
Torquemada is squirming around, avoiding De Noteboom's attempts to control the action.
Torquemada is looking to get to half guard.
De Noteboom avoids the attempt from Torquemada to control.
Torquemada is looking to get to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
Xavier Torquemada showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Torquemada 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 48:47
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 48:47
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Xavier Torquemada!
Xavier Torquemada retains his heavyweight title!