PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Laurens Van Der Sluijs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricardo Lombard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Van Der Sluijs comes to the cage accompanied by Shutterbugg - Big Boi Feat. Cutty. Ricardo Lombard has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Van Der Sluijs
vs
Lombard

178 cm
21
176 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

178 cm
21
180 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Laurens Van Der Sluijs!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ricardo Lombard!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Colin Fotheringham and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Van Der Sluijs thows a left - swing and a miss!
Van Der Sluijs throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lombard shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Van Der Sluijs sprawls well. Van Der Sluijs wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lombard gets slowly back to his feet.
Van Der Sluijs takes a swing at Lombard's ribcage but misses.
Lombard moves out of range as Van Der Sluijs strikes.
Laurens Van Der Sluijs seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Van Der Sluijs moves into range and connects with a jab.

It looks like Ricardo Lombard has been cut.
Lombard bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
No luck for Van Der Sluijs with that takedown attempt.
Lombard pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Good exchange - Van Der Sluijs coming out on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Der Sluijs shoots and misses
and Lombard counters with a stiff right hand.
Van Der Sluijs lands a nice hook to Lombard's body. Lombard takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
No joy there for Van Der Sluijs, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Van Der Sluijs missing with a left hand there. Lombard was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lombard takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Van Der Sluijs rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Lombard counters with a left to the body.
Van Der Sluijs scores with a crisp jab that stopped Lombard in his tracks.
An inside leg kick lands from Van Der Sluijs.
Van Der Sluijs misses with a leg kick.
Van Der Sluijs waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lombard.
Lombard defending well as Van Der Sluijs loads up on a big left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lombard loads up on a big right hand but Van Der Sluijs slips the punch.
Van Der Sluijs misses with a jab, cross combination.
Van Der Sluijs throws a poor cross that misses

and Lombard counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Van Der Sluijs trying to hold on to Lombard's head to control him but Lombard postures up.
Lombard is trying to control. Van Der Sluijs wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Van Der Sluijs is defending against the submission attempts here by Lombard.
Lombard is looking to advance position but Van Der Sluijs won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lombard wants to lay and pray for a moment but Van Der Sluijs keeps working.
Lombard is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Van Der Sluijs wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lombard is pushing down on Van Der Sluijs's leg trying to pass to half guard. Van Der Sluijs is fighting to maintain full guard but Lombard has managed to sneak the leg through.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Van Der Sluijs looks like he's trying to stand up.
Van Der Sluijs is in trouble now - Lombard has advanced to mount!
Van Der Sluijs can't escape the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lombard looking to control but Van Der Sluijs is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Laurens Van Der Sluijs dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ricardo Lombard's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Van Der Sluijs looks to throw the jab but Lombard is out of range.
Van Der Sluijs scores with a nice head shot.
Lombard changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Van Der Sluijs tries to avoid it but Lombard manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Van Der Sluijs to the ground. Van Der Sluijs escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nice defenses there by Lombard.
The fighters circling - Van Der Sluijs throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lombard swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Van Der Sluijs throws a body punch but Lombard moves out of range.
Lombard fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Van Der Sluijs manages to avoid it.
Van Der Sluijs swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Lombard avoids the body shot from Van Der Sluijs.
Lombard staying out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Der Sluijs looks to land a left hand but Lombard moved out of range nicely.
Van Der Sluijs closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lombard circles away.
Van Der Sluijs throws a hook but Lombard blocks it.
Lombard clobbers Van Der Sluijs with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Laurens Van Der Sluijs is winning the standup battle so far.
Van Der Sluijs misses with a takedown
and Lombard counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Van Der Sluijs waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lombard.
A big left from Van Der Sluijs misses.
Van Der Sluijs loads up on a big right hand but Lombard slips the punch.
Lombard shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting Van Der Sluijs counter with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Sluijs scores with a jab to the body.
Van Der Sluijs misses with a few strikes there.
Lombard throws a big shot that misses.
A swing and a miss from Van Der Sluijs.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Lombard checks a leg kick.
Van Der Sluijs missing with a left hand there. Lombard was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Van Der Sluijs loads up on a big right hand but Lombard slips the punch.

Lombard shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Lombard showed some decent athleticism there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lombard trying to mount his opponent but Van Der Sluijs defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lombard sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Lombard seems to be working for a kimura but Van Der Sluijs defends the submission attempt.
Lombard wants to free his trapped foot but Van Der Sluijs is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Lombard not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Lombard tries to pass to full mount but Van Der Sluijs defends it.
Lombard is keen to just control but Van Der Sluijs is a slippery customer.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lombard is stalling here. Van Der Sluijs is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Lombard seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Van Der Sluijs has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Laurens Van Der Sluijs will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ricardo Lombard'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.

Lombard looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Van Der Sluijs is fending him off so far but Lombard persists. Nope, Van Der Sluijs circles away and we're back to standing.
Lombard will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Van Der Sluijs misses with an uppercut.
Lombard takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Van Der Sluijs throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lombard moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That has opened up Ricardo Lombard's cut even more.
Van Der Sluijs shoots in and drives through. Lombard sprawls well.
Van Der Sluijs misses with a takedown attempt - Lombard sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ricardo Lombard is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Van Der Sluijs looks to score with a jab to the body but Lombard is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Der Sluijs looks to land a combination but Lombard avoids it well.
Van Der Sluijs blocks a jab.
Lombard throws a body punch but Van Der Sluijs moves out of range.
Van Der Sluijs thows a body shot but no joy.
A telegraphed right hand from Van Der Sluijs misses the target.
Van Der Sluijs looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lombard is fending him off so far but Van Der Sluijs persists. Nope, Lombard circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Laurens Van Der Sluijs. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Van Der Sluijs works over Lombard's head and body with a nice combination.
Lombard avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Lombard throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Van Der Sluijs was covering up waiting for the punch and Lombard finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Van Der Sluijs is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lombard wants to pass the guard but Van Der Sluijs is keeping the position.
Lombard trying to control but Van Der Sluijs is working from the bottom.
Lombard is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ricardo Lombard was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Lombard walks into a left hand.
Van Der Sluijs misses with a double jab.
Van Der Sluijs misses with an uppercut.
Van Der Sluijs takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Van Der Sluijs throws a looping overhand right but Lombard ducks down to avoid it.
Lombard tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Van Der Sluijs was well out of range. Poor timing from Lombard.
Van Der Sluijs throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Lombard sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Lombard checks a leg kick.
Van Der Sluijs misses with an uppercut. Lombard saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Van Der Sluijs. That snapped Lombard's head back.
Lombard thows a body shot but no joy.
Van Der Sluijs lands a jab.
Nice uppercut there from Lombard.
Van Der Sluijs bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Lombard's head backwards.

The cut above Ricardo Lombard's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Van Der Sluijs dips to his left and cracks Lombard with an uppercut!
A looping hook to the body misses from Van Der Sluijs. Lombard does a little dance to reset his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lombard throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Van Der Sluijs's waist but Van Der Sluijs gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lombard off to one side.
Van Der Sluijs checks a leg kick.
Lombard lands a jab to the nose.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Laurens Van Der Sluijs clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Ricardo Lombard's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Van Der Sluijs lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Lombard throws a push kick but Van Der Sluijs slaps the foot to one side.
Lombard tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Van Der Sluijs was well out of range. Poor timing from Lombard.
Lombard tries to land a leg kick but Van Der Sluijs saw it coming and moves away.
Van Der Sluijs cracks Lombard with a good jab.

Van Der Sluijs shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Lombard manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Lombard is trying to keep Van Der Sluijs in close.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Van Der Sluijs missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lombard is trying to keep Van Der Sluijs in close.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Van Der Sluijs trying to control the position from guard on top but Lombard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Laurens Van Der Sluijs has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Van Der Sluijs lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Lombard ducks under a wild hook from Van Der Sluijs.
Van Der Sluijs missing with a left hand there. Lombard was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Van Der Sluijs pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lombard blocks a jab.
Van Der Sluijs throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Lombard moves out of range of the strikes.
Lombard shoots in but no luck this time.

Lombard gets a takedown into half guard.
Lombard stalling away here and it's allowed Van Der Sluijs to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Van Der Sluijs wants to stand and escape but Lombard is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Sluijs has Lombard pulled in close to control his posture.
Lombard wants to control from the top but Van Der Sluijs keeps moving.
Lombard throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Van Der Sluijs works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Lombard controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Ricardo Lombard wasn't active enough on the ground.
Lombard connects with a right hand. Van Der Sluijs shakes it off.
Van Der Sluijs throws out a leg kick but Lombard moves out of range and Van Der Sluijs only half commits.
Van Der Sluijs misses with a looping right.
The fighters circle momentarily. Van Der Sluijs darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Ricardo Lombard's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
Lombard drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Lombard moves out of range as Van Der Sluijs strikes.
Van Der Sluijs checks the leg kick nicely there.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lombard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Van Der Sluijs jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lombard tries to move into range but Van Der Sluijs moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Laurens Van Der Sluijs had his way with Ricardo Lombard in that round.
The cut man is working on Ricardo Lombard's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Van Der Sluijs moves out of range as Lombard strikes.
Lombard rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Van Der Sluijs connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Van Der Sluijs swinging wildly here.

Lombard scores with a takedown into Van Der Sluijs's guard.
Lombard looking to sit in guard and control but Van Der Sluijs gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Lombard can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Van Der Sluijs controls the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lombard is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Van Der Sluijs throws a strike but Lombard rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Van Der Sluijs working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lombard accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Van Der Sluijs avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

We're going to have a standup here because Laurens Van Der Sluijs wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Van Der Sluijs jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Van Der Sluijs waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lombard.
Lombard shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Van Der Sluijs sprawls well. Van Der Sluijs wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lombard gets slowly back to his feet.
Van Der Sluijs misses the shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Sluijs tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Lombard is able to avoid easily.
Van Der Sluijs misses with a looping left.
Van Der Sluijs misses the jab.
Van Der Sluijs swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Lombard.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Ricardo Lombard's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:40 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Laurens Van Der Sluijs!
Laurens Van Der Sluijs retains his welterweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Laurens Van Der Sluijs thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.