PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between fred dirk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wilfried Handel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

dirk
vs
Handel

190 cm
22
186 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

185 cm
26
185 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, fred dirk!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Wilfried Handel!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Donald Grub and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
dirk keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
dirk tries to clinch up.
Handel throws a series of punches but dirk avoids them all with ease.
dirk tries to clinch but Handel is having none of it.

dirk looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Handel!
dirk controlling his opponent.
dirk tries to control but Handel wriggling away.
Handel avoids a series of strikes thrown by dirk.
dirk lands a big elbow.
Handel looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Handel is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
dirk really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Handel.
Handel is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Handel manages to reverse the position and now he's in dirk's guard. Nice work there by Handel.
dirk keeping full guard, as Handel tries to pass.
dirk wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
dirk's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

dirk wriggles free and stands up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

dirk rushes Handel and presses him up against the cage.
Handel is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Handel throws a blind hook that connects with the side of dirks head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by dirk as Handel tries to tie him up.

dirk tightens his grip and picks Handel up, before dumping him to the ground. Handel manages to land in guard.
dirk passes into half guard.

dirk stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Nice uppercut there from Handel.
Handel waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract dirk.

Excellent takedown into side control there by dirk.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
dirk wants to control but Handel is keeping him busy.
Handel is trying to improve his position.
Handel is not content to let dirk control the position.

dirk has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Nice defenses there by dirk.
Handel lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Handel ducks down and throws a hook to the body but dirk moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Handel, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

dirk darts in and clinches Handel up against the cage.
Handel is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but dirk is keeping busy.
dirk is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Handel.
Handel lands a shot to the body.
A shot in the inside from Handel.
dirk wants a takedown but no success here.
Handel is leaning against dirk and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
dirk is breathing heavily.
Handel is leaning against dirk and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
dirk drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for fred dirk. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Handel pushes dirk back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
dirk is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
dirk tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A short left from Handel.
Handel avoiding damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

fred dirk dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Handel lands a nice hook to dirk's body. dirk takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Handel fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Handel lands with a straight right. dirk didn't see that one coming.
Handel lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but dirk circles away quickly and effectively.
dirk pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Handel swinging wildly here.
Handel misses with a double jab.
fred dirk is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice shot lands for Handel.
Handel throws a lazy right hand but dirk sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Handel throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Handel shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. dirk eats them both and turns towards Handel to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

dirk scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
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!
Handel looking for a sweep but dirk has passed into full mount! Oh no!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Handel is squirming around, avoiding dirk's attempts to control the action.
Handel really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

dirk is standing up, even though he is in mount.
dirk has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Handel finds it's way round the side to connect with dirk's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
dirk fails with an attempt to clinch.
Handel lands with a good body shot.
Handel throws a series of punches but dirk avoids them all with ease.
Handel throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Handel stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Handel misses with a straight right.
Handel throws an overhand right that lands on dirk's shoulder, as dirk tries to avoid the shot.
Wilfried Handel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A slow jab from Handel misses its intended target.

dirk scores with a takedown into Handel's guard.
dirk trying to control the position from guard on top but Handel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Handel is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst dirk is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
dirk trying to control the position from guard on top but Handel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

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

Handel has an active guard here but dirk has managed to pass into half guard.
dirk controlling the pace.
dirk thows a huge punch but Handel dodges it nicely.

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.
dirk prevents Handel from improving his position.
Handel wants to get back to full guard but dirk has mounted him!
dirk manages to capitalize on a mistake by Handel to take his back!
dirk trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Handel doesn't escape.
Handel tries to roll but dirk sticks to his back.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Handel breaks dirk's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

Handel avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

dirk working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Handel doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Handel 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.

Wilfried Handel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Handel misses the shot to the body.
dirk avoids a punch combination nicely.
Handel tries to bum rush dirk with a series of wild strikes but dirk uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

dirk instigates a clinch.
Handel lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Handel lands with a left to the head.
dirk fails to pull the fight into his guard.
dirk stalling against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Handel swings wildly with an uppercut but dirk uses good head movement to avoid it.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

dirk decides to pull guard.
Handel has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of dirk is proving hard to escape from.

That's one minute gone in the round.
dirk wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Handel is now in half guard.
dirk is looking for a sweep. Handel is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
dirk is concentrating on defense, preventing Handel from advancing position.
dirk is trying to control but can't.
dirk makes his way to full guard. A much better position for dirk.
dirk not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Handel stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. dirk swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Handel is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
dirk is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Handel tries to stand but dirk is controlling from the bottom.
Handel looking to pass the guard.

fred dirk has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

dirk shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Handel's guard.
Handel is trying to control the position but dirk postures up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as dirk accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

dirk got a little sloppy there for a moment and Handel has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, dirk has managed to get both his arms back between Handel's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
dirk trying to control the position from guard on top but Handel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

dirk decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Handel, up you get!
A left and a right from Handel both land. Nice combination.

dirk closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Handel did well to prevent dirk getting side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
dirk is looking to take a break and control but Handel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
dirk looks to land a strike but Handel avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

Handel has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. dirk 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 Handel.
dirk working the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Handel gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Handel blocking the ground and pound attempt from dirk.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

dirk wants to work for an arm triangle but Handel is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Handel wants to get back to his feet.
dirk throwing shots but Handel is blocking nicely.
dirk thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Handel's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

fred dirk clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Handel throws a hook but dirk avoids it easily.
Handel scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
dirk throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

dirk gets a takedown into half guard.
dirk is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Handel is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
dirk stalling away here and it's allowed Handel to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

Handel has an active guard here but dirk has managed to pass into half guard.
dirk trying to control the action but Handel is working from the bottom.
dirk looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
fred dirk overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Handel tries to get to full guard but dirk has control of the leg.

Handel looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Handel wants to get back to full guard but dirk has mounted him!
dirk controlling the position easily from mount.
dirk trying to control but Handel is having none of it.

dirk goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Handel is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Handel passes dirk's left leg - he's now in half guard.
dirk tries to get to full guard but Handel has control of the leg.
dirk is trying to control but can't.
dirk is trying to get back to full guard.
Handel trying to mount his opponent but dirk defends it.
dirk trying to control here.

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.
dirk is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Handel's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Handel's back!

dirk is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Handel defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
dirk trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Handel rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Handel is pressing down on dirk's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

fred dirk had his way with Wilfried Handel in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Handel misses the shot to the body.

dirk looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Handel!
Handel is trying desperately to improve position.
Handel manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Handel is trying to get back to full guard.
Handel works his way to full guard. Good work.

Handel escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. dirk gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Handel is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Handel keeping full guard, as dirk tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
dirk trying to control the position from guard on top but Handel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
dirk keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Handel's head.
dirk sitting in guard here, content to control.

Handel is working an open guard so dirk takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Handel throws a right and a left that dirk avoids nicely.
A head kick misses from dirk.

That's two 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.
Handel slaps away a takedown attempt from dirk, before circling back to the center of the mat.
dirk fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
dirk is trying hard to land a takedown here. Handel sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for fred dirk. That's going to take a lot out of him.
dirk doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Handel. Those never looked like landing.
Wilfried Handel seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sloppy strikes from Handel. Those never looked like landing.
Handel will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
dirk fails with a takedown attempt.
Handel ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Handel lands a right hook to the body.
dirk on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Handel thuds his right hand into dirk's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
dirk is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Handel.
Handel scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Handel throws a series of punches but dirk moves out of range.
Handel stuffs the takedown.
Nice cross by Handel.
Handel digs a good hook to dirk's body.
Handel scores with a hook to the body. dirk takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Handel throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Handel swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
dirk fails to land the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Handel connects with a crisp jab.
Handel scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Handel throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Wilfried Handel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
No joy there for Handel, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Handel misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Handel misses with a wild combination.
Handel fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
dirk throws a right and a left that Handel avoids nicely.

dirk moves into the clinch successfully.
fred dirk is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Handel tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wilfried Handel comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think dirk 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 48:47
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 48:47
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... fred dirk!
fred dirk is the new middleweight champion!