PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Magnus Van Der Veer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank Palmeri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Van Der Veer
vs
Palmeri

178 cm
25
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

176 cm
25
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Magnus Van Der Veer!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Frank Palmeri!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Tarja Halkonen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Van Der Veer gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Van Der Veer jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Palmeri walks away with a smile on his face. Van Der Veer gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Van Der Veer slips a jab and a cross from Palmeri.
Van Der Veer plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

It looks like Frank Palmeri has been cut.

Van Der Veer shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Van Der Veer is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Van Der Veer stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Van Der Veer looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Palmeri pushes Van Der Veer off looking to stand but Van Der Veer dives back in and keeps control.
Van Der Veer content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Der Veer has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Palmeri works to full guard.
Van Der Veer trying to control the position from guard on top but Palmeri is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Van Der Veer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Palmeri is keeping the position for now.
Van Der Veer trying to control but Palmeri is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Magnus Van Der Veer has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Palmeri manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Van Der Veer on his heels. He'll look to pass Van Der Veer's guard now, I'm sure.
Van Der Veer 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.
Palmeri controlling from the top position.
Palmeri postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Palmeri moves in looking to clinch but Van Der Veer pushes him off.
Palmeri is looking to clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Van Der Veer is defended easily by Palmeri.

Palmeri clinches up against the cage.
Palmeri swings wildly with an uppercut but Van Der Veer uses good head movement to avoid it.
Palmeri holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Van Der Veer breaks the clinch.
Van Der Veer doesn't manage to clinch there - Palmeri circles away.
Palmeri tries to clinch there but Van Der Veer circles away.
A nice combination there by Palmeri.

It looks like Magnus Van Der Veer has been cut.

Van Der Veer has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palmeri wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Van Der Veer has him pressed against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Palmeri.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Palmeri pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Van Der Veer keeps the fight on the outside.
Palmeri tries to close the distance and clinch up but Van Der Veer swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Palmeri closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Palmeri wants a takedown but no success here.
Van Der Veer stalling the fight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Palmeri has had enough of the clinch but Van Der Veer keeps him there for the moment.

Van Der Veer manages to break the clinch.
Palmeri tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Magnus Van Der Veer dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Van Der Veer clinches up against the cage.
Van Der Veer prevents a body shot from Palmeri.

Palmeri lands a takedown into guard.
Van Der Veer pulls Palmeri in to control the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Van Der Veer trying to control the position.

Magnus Van Der Veer has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Palmeri gets a clinch.
Van Der Veer goes for a takedown in the clinch but Palmeri prevents it.
Palmeri can't find room to land a body shot as Van Der Veer controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palmeri is trying to break the clinch but Van Der Veer has him pressed against the cage.
Van Der Veer goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Palmeri drops down looking for an ankle pick but Van Der Veer pulls his leg out and moves away.
Van Der Veer tries to score a power double leg takedown but Palmeri sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Van Der Veer somewhat.
Palmeri throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Van Der Veer's waist but Van Der Veer gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Palmeri off to one side.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Van Der Veer.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Magnus Van Der Veer. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Van Der Veer darts in and clinches Palmeri up against the cage.
Van Der Veer lands a right hand that snaps the head of Palmeri backwards.
Palmeri wants a takedown but no success here.

Van Der Veer's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Veer throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Palmeri.
Palmeri throws a nice looking combination but Van Der Veer bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Palmeri scores with a one two! Van Der Veer had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Palmeri tries to clinch there but Van Der Veer circles away.
Palmeri on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Van Der Veer. Van Der Veer obviously looking to wear him down.
Palmeri is trying hard to land a takedown here. Van Der Veer sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Palmeri throws a nice looking combination but Van Der Veer bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Van Der Veer misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Van Der Veer circles away from the clinch attempt.
Palmeri throws a sloppy head kick and Van Der Veer moves out of range easily.
Frank Palmeri seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Van Der Veer moves to clinch but Palmeri breaks away

and Palmeri counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Van Der Veer manages to get to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Veer is trying to control the position but Palmeri postures up.
Van Der Veer tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Palmeri will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A looping hook to the body misses from Palmeri. Van Der Veer does a little dance to reset his feet.
Palmeri wants to clinch.
Palmeri wants to clinch up but Van Der Veer keeps it at a distance.
Van Der Veer stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Van Der Veer wants it to stay on the feet.
Van Der Veer lets loose with a powerful body kick. Palmeri will feel that in the morning.
Van Der Veer comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Van Der Veer - that will leave a mark!
Palmeri stuffs the takedown.
Palmeri tries to clinch there but Van Der Veer circles away.
Van Der Veer looks to land a combination but Palmeri avoids it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Frank Palmeri will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Both fighters circling a little - Palmeri finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

Van Der Veer darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Van Der Veer trying to control from half guard but Palmeri is working away.

Van Der Veer is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Van Der Veer misses with a head shot. Palmeri uses the momentum to regain guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Der Veer prevents Palmeri from getting back to his feet.
Van Der Veer passes into half guard.
Palmeri is staying active underneath Van Der Veer, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Palmeri trying to control from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Veer prevents Palmeri from improving his position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Frank Palmeri.
Van Der Veer scores with a head kick. Palmeri tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

Van Der Veer feints and as Palmeri raises his hands in defense, Van Der Veer changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Palmeri keeping full guard, as Van Der Veer tries to pass.
Van Der Veer landing some decent shots from guard.
Palmeri looking to hit a scissor sweep but Van Der Veer is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Veer trying to control but Palmeri is working from the bottom.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Van Der Veer slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Van Der Veer tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palmeri wants to get back to his feet but Van Der Veer drags him back down.
Palmeri misses with a strike from the bottom.
Van Der Veer wants to control but Palmeri is keeping him busy.
You can see the frustration on Palmeri's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Magnus Van Der Veer showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Van Der Veer 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 for Magnus Van Der Veer!
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight for Magnus Van Der Veer!
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight for Magnus Van Der Veer!

Magnus Van Der Veer wins by unanimous decision!
Magnus Van Der Veer is the new lightweight champion!