PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Roberto Canella (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luuk Van Maul (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.

Canella
vs
Van Maul

196 cm
21
221 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

194 cm
18
218 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Big heart

Decent wrestler
Brawler
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Roberto Canella!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Luuk Van Maul!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Winston Howard and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Canella fails in his attempt to clinch.
Canella connects with a nice looking jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Canella misses the target.
Van Maul wants to land a leg kick but Canella is out of range.

Van Maul moves into range and clinches up with Canella.
Canella has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Canella is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Van Maul has hold of one of Canella's legs. Canella is fighting the takedown attempt but Van Maul gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Canella is looking to stand up but Van Maul isn't so interested in that idea.
Van Maul advances to half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Van Maul controlling the pace.
Canella tries to kick Van Maul off but Van Maul keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Maul perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Luuk Van Maul has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Van Maul throws a low kick but it's checked well by Canella.
Canella shoots in and drives through. Van Maul sprawls well.

Van Maul decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Canella is trying to stand.
Van Maul works his way into full mount!
Van Maul throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Van Maul misses with a head shot.
Van Maul controlling the position easily from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Canella wants to get back to his feet.
Van Maul sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Canella is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poor strikes thrown by Van Maul there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Van Maul content just to control the position here.
Van Maul unloads with some shots from mount but Canella bucks and avoids them well.
Van Maul thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Van Maul throws some wild stikes that Canella manages to avoid easily.

Canella defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Van Maul.
You get the feeling that Canella really doesn't like being in this position too much.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Canella has given up his back, trying to stand up. Not clever.
Canella is trying to get back to his feet but Van Maul has full control of the position and if anything, Canella has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Canella is breathing heavily.
Van Maul is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Van Maul punches the canvas rather than the man.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Van Maul keeps control of the position easily here as Canella tries to buck him off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luuk Van Maul dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A big right from Canella misses.

Van Maul closes the distance and pushes Canella back into the cage.

Van Maul has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Canella clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Van Maul struggling to keep hold of the position.
Van Maul throwing sloppy strikes.
Luuk Van Maul has got the better of the ground game so far.
Canella is trying to stand back up.
I would not like to be Canella right now.
Canella has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Canella is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Canella looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Canella has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Van Maul.

Canella preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Van Maul.
I would not like to be Canella right now.
Canella avoids the strikes from Van Maul.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Maul controlling the position well here. Canella rolled but Van Maul kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Van Maul punches the canvas rather than the man.
Canella has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

Van Maul looking for the choke but no joy.
Canella controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Maul struggling to land strikes to the head as Canella covers up.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Canella wants to get back to his feet.
Van Maul struggling to land strikes to the head as Canella covers up.
Canella trying to get back to his feet but Van Maul is in full control for now.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Maul misses with a punch to the head.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Van Maul.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.

Van Maul is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Van Maul throwing wild punches that miss their target.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Canella is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Van Maul gets his way!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luuk Van Maul 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! This is the final round!

Van Maul fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Canella to the ground. Van Maul is now in Canella's guard.
Van Maul is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Canella is looking to stand up but Van Maul isn't so interested in that idea.
Canella avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Van Maul trying to control the position from guard on top but Canella is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Van Maul gets to his feet - Canella follows without any prompting.
Canella scores with a decent looking hook.
Canella looks to land a right hand but Van Maul moved out of range.

Van Maul rushes Canella and presses him up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Van Maul breaks the clinch.
A lazy left from Canella finds it's target.
Roberto Canella seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Van Maul slips a straight right by Canella.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Canella enables Van Maul to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Canella manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Van Maul wants to pass the guard but Canella is keeping the position.
Van Maul slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Van Maul stops Canella from standing up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Van Maul stays in close to Canella's body and controls the position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Canella is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Roberto Canella has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Luuk Van Maul hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Van Maul looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Van Maul is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Canella is looking to escape.
Van Maul is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Van Maul landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Van Maul is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Canella pushes Van Maul off looking to stand but Van Maul dives back in and keeps control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Van Maul stands up out of the half guard.
A slow jab from Canella misses its intended target.
Canella checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Van Maul drops his hands momentarily and Canella takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Luuk Van Maul is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Van Maul misses with a few strikes there.

Van Maul decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Van Maul prevents Canella from standing back up.
Van Maul perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Van Maul trying to mount his opponent but Canella defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Maul throwing shots but Canella is blocking nicely.

Van Maul postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Canella to stand up.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Van Maul shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Van Maul was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Van Maul working Canella over with strikes here.
Canella blocking the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Van Maul looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Van Maul controlling his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luuk Van Maul comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Van Maul winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luuk Van Maul!