PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Remco Van Zoetebier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wade Ribiero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Remco Van Zoetebier had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Van Zoetebier
vs
Ribiero

188 cm
25
205 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

183 cm
25
185 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Remco Van Zoetebier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Wade Ribiero!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Saam Ante and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ribiero fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Zoetebier displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ribiero.
Ribiero misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Remco Van Zoetebier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wade Ribiero.
Ribiero shoots in but no luck this time.

Zoetebier is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Ribiero's half guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Zoetebier sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ribiero defending well though.
Zoetebier tries to pass to full mount but Ribiero defends it.
Ribiero avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Zoetebier.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zoetebier is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Zoetebier is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ribiero defends it well.

Zoetebier is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Zoetebier wants to work for an arm triangle but Ribiero is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Zoetebier is trying to work for a kimura but Ribiero is defending well.

Zoetebier is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zoetebier is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ribiero sees it coming and defends easily.
Ribiero gets full guard.
Ribiero pulls Zoetebier in close to prevent any damage.
Zoetebier throws a big elbow that misses.
Zoetebier wants to control from the top but Ribiero keeps moving.
Zoetebier trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Ribiero holds on and takes a little breather.
Ribiero is trying to keep Zoetebier in close.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nice sprawl there from Zoetebier as Ribiero shoots in.
Ribiero shoots in for a takedown but Zoetebier shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ribiero fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ribiero shoots in but Zoetebier avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Zoetebier shoots for a takedown but Ribiero saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ribiero fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Zoetebier avoids it really well and circles away.
Ribiero tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zoetebier sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ribiero somewhat.
Zoetebier defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ribiero.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Ribiero shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Remco Van Zoetebier dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Zoetebier is defended easily by Ribiero.

Ribiero closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Zoetebier gets back to full guard.
Ribiero throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zoetebier works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Zoetebier throws his legs up looking for a submission but Ribiero uses it to pass to side control.
Zoetebier manages to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zoetebier is looking for a sweep. Ribiero is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ribiero wants to lay and pray for a moment but Zoetebier keeps working.
Ribiero moves into side control, avoiding the strikes from Zoetebier.
Ribiero working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Ribiero works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Ribiero throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

Ribiero is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Zoetebier knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Zoetebier regains half guard there - taking advantage of Ribiero's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ribiero thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The fighters are battling for position here. Zoetebier manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Zoetebier working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Ribiero has passed into half guard!
Ribiero stalling away here and it's allowed Zoetebier to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zoetebier throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ribiero wants to control from the top but Zoetebier keeps moving.
Ribiero sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zoetebier keeping moving, preventing Ribiero from controlling successfully.

Zoetebier had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ribiero defends it easily.
Wade Ribiero has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ribiero looking to pass the guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Zoetebier has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Ribiero off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Ribiero gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Zoetebier counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Ribiero!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Wade Ribiero will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Ribiero tries for a takedown but Zoetebier circles away easily

and Zoetebier counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Zoetebier trying to mount his opponent but Ribiero defends it.

Zoetebier is trying to work for a kimura but Ribiero is defending well.

Zoetebier wants to work for an arm triangle but Ribiero is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Zoetebier is looking for a kimura but Ribiero is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Zoetebier to get the leverage.
Zoetebier wants to pass the guard but Ribiero is defending well.
Ribiero is refusing to be controlled, as Zoetebier sits in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zoetebier looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Zoetebier is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Ribiero wants to control but Zoetebier passes into side.

Zoetebier working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zoetebier working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zoetebier goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Ribiero rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Zoetebier's guard! Nice work there by Ribiero!
Ribiero stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zoetebier swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Zoetebier looking for a guillotine here but Ribiero defends easily.

Zoetebier isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Ribiero stacks Zoetebier on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Ribiero!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ribiero in side control, throwing shots but Zoetebier defends.
Ribiero is working Zoetebier over with some ground and pound from side control.
Ribiero looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Zoetebier is avoiding damage well.
A lull in the action here.
Zoetebier is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Ribiero is one step ahead and moves to full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ribiero controlling from the full mount.
Zoetebier keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Ribiero looking to control but Zoetebier is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Ribiero looking to finish with strikes here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Ribiero cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

It looks like Remco Van Zoetebier has been cut.
Zoetebier is working to get back to half guard.

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 Remco Van Zoetebier.
I think Zoetebier 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 Paul Aken scores the fight for Remco Van Zoetebier!
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight for Remco Van Zoetebier!
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight for Wade Ribiero!

Remco Van Zoetebier wins by split decision!
In his post fight interview, Remco Van Zoetebier started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.