PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jean Claude Van Varen Berg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hostrel Von Straztle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Claude Van Varen Berg
vs
Von Straztle

177 cm
22
196 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

190 cm
25
190 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jean Claude Van Varen Berg!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Hostrel Von Straztle!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Matti Vanhoillinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Van Varen Berg gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Von Straztle to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Van Varen Berg utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Von Straztle drops back looking for a leg! Van Varen Berg is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Van Varen Berg manages to kick Von Straztle off! Von Straztle jumps back into Van Varen Berg's guard.

Von Straztle 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.
Von Straztle has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Von Straztle trying to control but Van Varen Berg is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Von Straztle thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Von Straztle throwing strikes but missing.
Von Straztle throwing strikes but missing.

Von Straztle drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Von Straztle jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Van Varen Berg has his hands on Von Straztle's head, controlling the position.
Von Straztle trying to control the position from guard on top but Van Varen Berg is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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.

Von Straztle drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Von Straztle jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Von Straztle drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Van Varen Berg dives on top into guard.
Von Straztle looking to hit a scissor sweep but Van Varen Berg is one step ahead there.

Von Straztle is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Van Varen Berg defends well.
Van Varen Berg has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Van Varen Berg avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Von Straztle has his foot on Van Varen Berg's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Van Varen Berg works his way back into a safe position though.

Von Straztle is looking for a triangle but Van Varen Berg pushes his legs off easily.
Von Straztle is trying to control the position but Van Varen Berg postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Von Straztle is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Van Varen Berg is aware though and is defending well.

Von Straztle looking for a guillotine here but Van Varen Berg defends easily.

Von Straztle working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Van Varen Berg doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Van Varen Berg manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Van Varen Berg trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hostrel Von Straztle dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A head kick misses from Van Varen Berg.
Van Varen Berg misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Von Straztle.
Van Varen Berg lands a nice hook to Von Straztle's body. Von Straztle takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Van Varen Berg throws a body kick that misses.
Van Varen Berg dodges the punch combination from Von Straztle.
Van Varen Berg throws a head kick but Von Straztle moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Van Varen Berg.
Van Varen Berg throws a head kick that misses.

Von Straztle has managed to clinch.
Van Varen Berg working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Von Straztle tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Van Varen Berg connects with a knee to the head.

It looks like Hostrel Von Straztle has been cut.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Van Varen Berg just misses with a elbow thrown towards Von Straztle's brow.
Van Varen Berg makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Van Varen Berg with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Van Varen Berg tries to land a knee to the head but Von Straztle blocks with his arms.
Von Straztle is breathing heavily.
Van Varen Berg tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Van Varen Berg throws a knee to the head but misses.
Van Varen Berg misses with some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Von Straztle fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Van Varen Berg misses with a knee to the head.
Van Varen Berg lands a knee to the head.
Van Varen Berg tries to land a knee to the head but Von Straztle blocks with his arms.
Van Varen Berg tries to land a knee to the head but Von Straztle blocks with his arms.
Van Varen Berg misses with a knee to the head.
Van Varen Berg letting Von Straztle take a breather here.

Von Straztle decides to pull guard.

Von Straztle had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Van Varen Berg defends it easily.

Von Straztle working for a triangle but Van Varen Berg defends it easily.

Von Straztle escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Van Varen Berg gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Van Varen Berg knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Von Straztle on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Varen Berg would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Van Varen Berg wants to control from the top but Von Straztle keeps moving.
Van Varen Berg pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Von Straztle is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Von Straztle is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Von Straztle has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Van Varen Berg can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Van Varen Berg wants to pass the guard but Von Straztle is keeping the position.

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.
Von Straztle is trying to keep Van Varen Berg in close.

Von Straztle has his foot on Van Varen Berg's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Van Varen Berg works his way back into a safe position though.

Von Straztle escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Van Varen Berg gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Von Straztle has his foot on Van Varen Berg's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Van Varen Berg works his way back into a safe position though.
Von Straztle being controlled here, momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jean Claude Van Varen Berg will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Hostrel Von Straztle's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Van Varen Berg catches Von Straztle with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Van Varen Berg keeps the fight on the outside.
Van Varen Berg lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Von Straztle avoids the head kick by Van Varen Berg.
Von Straztle is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Van Varen Berg tries a head kick but it misses.
Van Varen Berg misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Van Varen Berg misses with a kick to the body.
Van Varen Berg scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Von Straztle doesn't seem bothered though.
Van Varen Berg pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Von Straztle moves into the clinch.
Von Straztle takes a knee right on the jaw!
Van Varen Berg misses with a knee strike.
Von Straztle tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Von Straztle fails to pull guard.
Van Varen Berg blocks a body shot from Von Straztle.
Van Varen Berg misses with a knee to the head.
Van Varen Berg gets through Von Straztle's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Von Straztle fails to pull guard.
Jean Claude Van Varen Berg has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hostrel Von Straztle.
Von Straztle jumps guard but Van Varen Berg stands there with Von Straztle around his waist. Von Straztle gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Van Varen Berg with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Van Varen Berg misses with a knee strike.
Van Varen Berg misses with a knee to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Van Varen Berg.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Van Varen Berg as Von Straztle tries to tie him up.
Van Varen Berg lands a hook to the side of the head.
Van Varen Berg misses with a knee strike.
Van Varen Berg tries to land a knee to the head but Von Straztle blocks with his arms.
Van Varen Berg scores with a shoulder strike.
Van Varen Berg with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Van Varen Berg connects with a knee to the head.

Von Straztle manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Von Straztle looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Von Straztle working for a triangle but Van Varen Berg defends it easily.
Von Straztle wants to sweep but no luck.

Von Straztle looking for a guillotine here but Van Varen Berg defends easily.

Von Straztle is looking for a triangle but Van Varen Berg pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Von Straztle tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Von Straztle is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Von Straztle tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Von Straztle escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Van Varen Berg gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four 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.

Von Straztle is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Von Straztle is trying to control the position but Van Varen Berg postures up.
Von Straztle looking to hit a scissor sweep but Van Varen Berg is one step ahead there.

Von Straztle is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Van Varen Berg is aware though and is defending well.

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 Jean Claude Van Varen Berg.
I think Van Varen Berg 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Jean Claude Van Varen Berg!