PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eric Northman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Kaplan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Eric Northman could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Joe Kaplan's chin.

Northman
vs
Kaplan

193 cm
24
285 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

185 cm
23
252 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Warrior MMA

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Eric Northman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joe Kaplan!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Stewart Dunkirk and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kaplan misses with a wild combination.
A slow jab from Kaplan misses its intended target.
A jab from Kaplan misses.
Kaplan tries a head kick but it misses.
Joe Kaplan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kaplan throws a head kick but Northman moves out of range.
Northman slips under a jab.

Northman shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Northman thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Northman thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Northman trying to control the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaplan keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Northman performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Northman thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kaplan's head.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kaplan can do anything to dispel that myth.

Northman is looking for a kimura but Kaplan is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Northman to get the leverage.
Kaplan is trying to get back to full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kaplan throws a sloppy head kick and Northman moves out of range easily.
Kaplan attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Northman keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kaplan.
Northman showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kaplan.
Kaplan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kaplan throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kaplan scores with a hook.
Kaplan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kaplan will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Northman takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Northman misses the shot to the body.

Northman moves into range and clinches up with Kaplan.
Kaplan gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Northman.

Kaplan breaks the clinch.

Northman moves into the clinch.
Northman misses with a punch on the inside.

Northman gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Kaplan tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Northman working Kaplan over with strikes.
Northman seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaplan wants to control but Northman is keeping busy.
Northman trying to control from half guard but Kaplan is working away.
Kaplan tries to roll over but Northman keeps him under control.
Northman is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kaplan has hold of Northman's hands but Northman slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

It looks like Joe Kaplan has been cut.
Northman throwing shots but Kaplan is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Northman dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joe Kaplan's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kaplan throws a chopping leg kick but Northman manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
A jab from Kaplan misses.
Kaplan throws a series of punches but Northman avoids them all with ease.
Kaplan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Northman moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kaplan throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Northman uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kaplan.
Kaplan misses with an uppercut. Northman saw that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kaplan misses with a wild body shot.
Northman moves in looking to clinch but Kaplan pushes him off.
Some bone on bone action there as Northman checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Kaplan.
Kaplan swinging wildly here.
A cross from Kaplan lands.

It looks like Eric Northman has been cut.
Kaplan looks to land a combination but Northman avoids it well.
Northman throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kaplan throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kaplan throws a sloppy head kick and Northman moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kaplan misses with a body kick.
Northman wants to clinch.
Kaplan misses with a wild combination.

Northman closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Kaplan did well to prevent Northman getting side control.
Kaplan tries to get to full guard but Northman has control of the leg.
Northman missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Northman throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Northman 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.
Kaplan keeping hold of Northman's head, controlling as best he can.
Kaplan moves into full guard.
Northman postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Northman connects with a couple of short punches.
Northman postures up in Kaplan's guard and throws a big left but Kaplan blocks it.
Northman throws a strike but Kaplan rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Northman is looking for a triangle but Kaplan pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Northman working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kaplan doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kaplan manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Northman dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Kaplan throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Northman.
Northman tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kaplan looks to land a combination but Northman avoids it well.
Northman just misses with a punch to the body.
Northman tries to close the distance and clinch but Kaplan swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Northman gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Northman has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Kaplan regains guard immediately.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kaplan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Northman won't allow Kaplan to sweep him here.
Northman trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kaplan lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Northman!
Kaplan scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Kaplan looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Kaplan with shots to the head and body - Northman looks very uncomfortable down there.
Northman tries to reverse the position but Kaplan maintains control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kaplan moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Northman has worked his arm free - good work by Northman!
Northman tries to bench press Kaplan off him but Kaplan keeps the position.

Kaplan decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Northman avoids the head kick by Kaplan.
Kaplan lands a jab-cross combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Northman darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Kaplan wants to get back to his feet.
Kaplan gets full guard.

Northman is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Kaplan is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Kaplan has escaped and now he's on top!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kaplan wanted to stand there but Northman had control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kaplan accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Northman utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kaplan missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kaplan lands a couple of elbows.
Kaplan landing some decent shots from guard.
Kaplan throws a strike but Northman rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Kaplan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Northman 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 George Francis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eric Northman!