PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Billy Mitchell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kyle Van Hook (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Van Hook is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: The Cure's Close To Me. The key to victory for Billy Mitchell has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Mitchell
vs
Van Hook

176 cm
22
146 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

170 cm
27
139 lbs
18 - 5 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Hell's Balls Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Billy Mitchell!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kyle Van Hook!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Gwen Towbar and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mitchell thows a body shot but no joy.

Van Hook shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Van Hook prevents Mitchell from improving his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Van Hook is trying to control the action in half guard but Mitchell is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Van Hook seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Van Hook trying to control the action but Mitchell is working from the bottom.
Mitchell is looking to control Van Hook's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Mitchell avoid being mounted?
Van Hook trying to mount his opponent but Mitchell defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mitchell trying to control from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Mitchell gets caught flat footed, as Van Hook shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Van Hook postures up.
Mitchell wants to sweep but no luck.
Van Hook controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Van Hook is pushing down on Mitchell's leg trying to pass to half guard. Mitchell is fighting to maintain full guard but Van Hook has managed to sneak the leg through.
Van Hook stalling away here and it's allowed Mitchell to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Van Hook landing some decent shots from guard.
Van Hook trying to control the position from guard on top but Mitchell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Hook looking to pass the guard.
Mitchell doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Mitchell looking to control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Van Hook throwing strikes from guard but Mitchell blocks nicely.
Mitchell 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.
Mitchell is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Van Hook trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Hook not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Mitchell keeping moving, preventing Van Hook from controlling successfully.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Mitchell swings for the body but Van Hook moves out of range.
Van Hook shoots for a takedown but Mitchell saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Van Hook darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Van Hook wants to take a breather but Mitchell is having none of it.
Van Hook prevents Mitchell from improving his position.
Mitchell regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Hook passes into half guard.
Mitchell keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Mitchell wants to get back to his feet.
Van Hook thows a huge punch but Mitchell dodges it nicely.
Mitchell tries to kick Van Hook off but Van Hook keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Van Hook tries to pass the half guard into mount. Mitchell knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Van Hook moves nicely into side control.
Van Hook trying to control the position but Mitchell is working away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Van Hook is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle Van Hook dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Mitchell checks a leg kick nicely.
Van Hook fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Van Hook tried to score with a low kick but Mitchell checks it.
Van Hook scores with a leg kick.
Mitchell avoids the body shot from Van Hook.
Van Hook tries to clinch but Mitchell is having none of it.
Mitchell throws a sloppy head kick

and Van Hook counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Mitchell's guard now.
Mitchell looking for a sweep. Not yet Mitchell, not yet.
Mitchell is pulling down on Van Hook's head to control his posture.
Van Hook slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Van Hook stops Mitchell from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Hook thows a big elbow that misses.
Mitchell is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Van Hook is controlling him.
Van Hook trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Van Hook makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Van Hook sitting in guard here, content to control.
Mitchell is trying to keep Van Hook in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Hook wants to pass the guard but Mitchell is keeping the position.
Van Hook throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Van Hook is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Van Hook trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Mitchell manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Van Hook looking to control.

Mitchell stands and steps away. Van Hook gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Mitchell misses with a wild body shot.
Mitchell throws a low kick but it's checked well by Van Hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Hook fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Mitchell checks a leg kick.

Van Hook clinches.
Van Hook missing with knees to the body.
Mitchell is trying to break free.
Mitchell is trying to force a seperation but Van Hook has the dominant position.
Van Hook lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Mitchell backwards.
Mitchell is trying to force a seperation but Van Hook has the dominant position.
Good body shot from Mitchell.
Van Hook using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mitchell has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Van Hook misses with the head strike.
Van Hook misses with some punches.
Mitchell is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Mitchell tries to break the clinch but Van Hook is controlling the position.
Van Hook tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mitchell is trying to break free.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Van Hook.
Mitchell has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Van Hook tightens his grip and picks Mitchell up, before dumping him to the ground. Mitchell manages to land in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Van Hook trying to control but Mitchell is working from the bottom.
Van Hook might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Mitchell kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Van Hook wants to pass the guard but Mitchell is keeping the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Van Hook postures up in Mitchell's guard and throws a big left but Mitchell blocks it.
Van Hook tries to free his leg and advance position but Mitchell is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle Van Hook showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Van Hook misses with a takedown attempt - Mitchell sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Van Hook pushes Mitchell up against the cage in a clinch.
Van Hook connects with a knee to the head.
Mitchell can't find room to land a body shot as Van Hook controls the action.
Van Hook keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Mitchell's efforts to push away.
Mitchell has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Mitchell wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Mitchell is pressed up against the cage. Van Hook has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mitchell down to the mat. Mitchell avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Mitchell misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mitchell scores with a kick to the body.
Mitchell throws a low kick but it's checked well by Van Hook.
Van Hook tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Van Hook does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Van Hook shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Mitchell manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Van Hook accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mitchell 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.

Mitchell has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Van Hook can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Van Hook must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Mitchell keeping moving, preventing Van Hook from controlling successfully.
Mitchell is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Mitchell tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Hook moves into full guard.
Van Hook wants to sweep but no luck.

Van Hook is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mitchell is aware though and is defending well.
Mitchell won't allow Van Hook to sweep him here.

Van Hook is looking for a triangle but Mitchell pushes his legs off easily.
Van Hook wants to sweep here but Mitchell controlling him for the moment.
Van Hook takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Hook is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Mitchell is trying to get back to full guard.
Kyle Van Hook has got the better of the ground game so far.
Van Hook thows a huge punch but Mitchell dodges it nicely.
Van Hook seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Mitchell does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Van Hook keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Mitchell is looking to control Van Hook's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Mitchell avoid being mounted?
Van Hook working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Mitchell's thigh. Mitchell counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Mitchell lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Van Hook!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Hook is looking to get to half guard.
Mitchell tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Van Hook is looking to get to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Mitchell is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Van Hook misses with a low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Kyle Van Hook just about did enough to take it.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Mitchell connects with the punch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mitchell. Van Hook does a little dance to reset his feet.
Good work by Van Hook as he checks the leg kick.
Van Hook avoids the body shot from Mitchell.
Mitchell is looking to wear down Van Hook with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Mitchell misses with a body shot.

Van Hook rushes Mitchell and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Mitchell controlling the action here for a moment.
Van Hook tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mitchell avoids it.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Van Hook tries to throw a body punch but Mitchell avoids it by throwing Van Hook back against the cage.
Mitchell trying to control the position but instead, Van Hook has worked for underhooks and has pushed Mitchell into the cage.
Mitchell wants to get back to striking at distance but Van Hook won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Hook scores with a hook to the body.
Van Hook effectively controlling the action here.
Mitchell wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Van Hook has him pressed against the cage.

Van Hook gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Van Hook is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Mitchell avoids a series of strikes thrown by Van Hook.
Mitchell is trying to escape the mount.
Van Hook with the ground and pound from mount.
Van Hook lands a heavy elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Van Hook tries to control but Mitchell wriggling away.
Mitchell working to try and regain half guard.
Van Hook raining down shots from the mount!
Van Hook controlling his opponent.
Van Hook can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Mitchell is looking to escape.
Van Hook tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mitchell is looking to improve his position but Van Hook isn't that keen on the idea.
A nice elbow there by Van Hook.
Van Hook thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Van Hook can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Mitchell is looking to escape.
Van Hook is landing with some decent strikes but Mitchell is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oooooh, big shot lands for Van Hook! Mitchell is hurt baaadly! Van Hook is firing away with more strikes - Mitchell is covering up... the ref is warning him to do something. He's just covering up though still and the ref has to step in to end the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:25 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kyle Van Hook! Kyle Van Hook retains his bantamweight title!