PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dirk Van Beest (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Albert Starke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Van Beest
vs
Starke

181 cm
22
176 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

170 cm
22
176 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dirk Van Beest!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Albert Starke!
The judges for this bout are , and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Van Beest forces Starke back against the cage and clinches.
Starke throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Van Beest blocks it with crossed arms.

Van Beest escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Van Beest closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Starke to the mat! Starke manages to get full guard.
Van Beest throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Van Beest tries to stand but Starke is controlling from the bottom.
Starke wants to sweep here but Van Beest controlling him for the moment.
Van Beest is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Van Beest wants to control from the top but Starke keeps moving.

Starke working for a triangle but Van Beest defends it easily.

Starke looking for a guillotine here but Van Beest defends easily.
Van Beest will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Van Beest accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Starke 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Van Beest gets to his feet. Starke looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Albert Starke seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Van Beest drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Van Beest preventing the sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Van Beest trying to control the position from guard on top but Starke is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Van Beest accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Van Beest stopping the sweep attempt from Starke.
Starke is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Starke throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Van Beest trying to control the position from guard on top but Starke is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Beest trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Van Beest takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Van Beest is rocked!

It looks like Dirk Van Beest has been cut.
Starke tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Van Beest counters with a one-two to the body.
Van Beest throws a series of strikes that have Starke backpedaling.
Starke tries to clinch

and Van Beest counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Starke trying to keep a closed guard but Van Beest is proving a slippery customer.
Van Beest working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Starke lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Van Beest!
Starke lands a nice shot to the head.

Starke with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Starke jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Van Beest is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Van Beest and Starke has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Starke looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Beest sneaks back into half guard.
Starke tries to pass the half guard into mount. Van Beest knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Van Beest wants to control but Starke is keeping busy.
Van Beest is trying to get back to full guard.
Starke is looking to stall here but Van Beest recovers full guard.
Van Beest knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Starke on the ground.
Starke wants to pass the guard but Van Beest is keeping the position.
Starke trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Van Beest manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Van Beest postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

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.
Starke looking to control.
Starke 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.
Van Beest postures up.
Starke doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Van Beest is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Starke throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Starke has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Van Beest can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Van Beest loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Starke not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dirk Van Beest dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dirk Van Beest's cut.
That's time! Van Beest's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Van Beest shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Van Beest showed some decent athleticism there.
Starke is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Van Beest's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Van Beest's back!

Starke is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Van Beest has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
I really don't envy Van Beest right now.

Starke has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Van Beest has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Starke should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Van Beest tries to roll but Starke sticks to his back.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Starke wants to control but Van Beest is keeping busy.
Van Beest trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
I really don't envy Van Beest right now.
Starke missing with strikes from the back.

Starke working for a choke but Van Beest is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Van Beest showing good submission defense here.
Van Beest is really stuck here.
Van Beest just trying to survive but Starke is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

Starke looking to break Van Beest's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Van Beest remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Starke will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Starke doesn't have the hooks in and Van Beest manages to turn into his guard.
Dirk Van Beest overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Van Beest trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Starke is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Starke is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Starke is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Beest keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Starke prevents Van Beest from improving his position.
Starke wants to lay and pray for a moment but Van Beest keeps working.

Van Beest looking for submissions off his back.

Van Beest looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Van Beest is looking for a sweep. Starke is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Starke wants to free his trapped foot but Van Beest is holding on for dear life with his legs.

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

Van Beest takes the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Van Beest jumps guard.
Van Beest trying to control the position.

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

Van Beest is looking for a triangle but Starke pushes his legs off easily.

Starke drops back looking for a leg! Van Beest is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Van Beest manages to kick Starke off! Starke jumps back into Van Beest's guard.
Van Beest is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Starke won't allow Van Beest to pass to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Starke misses with some strikes from the bottom.

Starke looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Starke tries to roll over but Van Beest keeps him under control.
Van Beest is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Starke trying to hold on to Van Beest's head to control him but Van Beest postures up.
Van Beest trying to control the pace.
Van Beest missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Albert Starke showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Dirk Van Beest's cut.
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!

Starke shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Starke looks to clinch

and Van Beest decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Starke's guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Starke is on top in guard.
Van Beest not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Starke preventing the sweep.
Starke advances position into side control!

Starke tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Starke has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Van Beest manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Starke with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Starke wants to take a breather but Van Beest is having none of it.
Starke throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Van Beest trying to hold on to Starke's head to control him but Starke postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Starke seems to be working for a kimura but Van Beest defends the submission attempt.
Van Beest is trying to maintain the position but Starke is very close to passing his half guard.
Van Beest is trying to get back to full guard.
Van Beest gets back to full guard.
Starke advances to half guard.

Starke is looking for a kimura but Van Beest is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Starke to get the leverage.
Van Beest wants to control but Starke is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Van Beest is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are battling for position here. Van Beest manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Van Beest is pulling down on Starke's head. It's preventing any offense from Starke, at least for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Starke pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Van Beest is keeping the position for now.

Van Beest looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Van Beest keeping full guard, as Starke tries to pass.
Van Beest 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.
Van Beest keeping moving, preventing Starke from controlling successfully.

Van Beest manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Starke tries to clinch but Van Beest moves away

and Van Beest counters by moving into the clinch.
Starke misses with a knee to the head.
Starke is looking to break free of the clinch but Van Beest has double underhooks.
Starke is trying to break the clinch but Van Beest has him pressed against the cage.

Van Beest manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Van Beest gets a clinch.

Van Beest escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Starke throws a head kick that misses.
Starke closes the distance but Van Beest moves to the side

and Van Beest counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Starke!
Starke is looking to improve his position but Van Beest isn't that keen on the idea.
Starke tries to hold on but Van Beest postures up.
Starke gets back to half guard.

Starke actively working from the bottom here.
Starke moves into full guard.
Van Beest trying to control but Starke is working from the bottom.
Starke lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Van Beest!
Van Beest is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Starke looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Van Beest slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Van Beest tries to roll over but Starke keeps him under control.
Starke looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Van Beest wants to improve his position but Starke is controlling well.
Van Beest trying to control but Starke postures up.
Van Beest is staying active underneath Starke, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The fighters are battling for position here. Van Beest manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Starke preventing the sweep.
Van Beest keeping moving, preventing Starke from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dirk Van Beest showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Van Beest 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dirk Van Beest!