PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jean Claude Overeem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pawel Konopacki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Overeem comes into the arena with Bangarang blaring out of the sound system. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Claude Overeem
vs
Konopacki

184 cm
22
183 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

179 cm
21
171 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Experienced

Untouchable Fight Nutrition

Zentrope Fighting Universe

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Jean Claude Overeem!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Pawel Konopacki!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, William Gold and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Overeem ducks under a wild hook from Konopacki.
Overeem throws a combination. Konopacki tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Konopacki tries to clinch there but Overeem circles away.
Konopacki misses with a looping left.
Konopacki misses with a hook. Overeem ducked under it nicely.
Konopacki is looking to score with low kicks.
Overeem wants to clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Konopacki scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Overeem misses with a punch on the inside.
Overeem throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Konopacki blocks it with crossed arms.
Overeem unloads a knee to the mid-section. Konopacki lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Konopacki tries a body shot but Overeem blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Overeem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Overeem.
Overeem scores with a shoulder strike.
Konopacki lands with a left to the head.
Overeem misses with a shot to the kidneys.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Konopacki tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Konopacki working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Konopacki lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Overeem lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Konopacki stalling in the clinch but Overeem improves position.
Konopacki tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Overeem's elbow.
Konopacki lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Overeem unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A head punch on the inside from Konopacki fails to land.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Overeem working aggressively here.
Overeem misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Konopacki.
Konopacki working aggressively here.
Konopacki takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Konopacki is working Overeem over against the cage.
Konopacki doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Konopacki lands a body punch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Konopacki leaning his opponent against the cage.
The crowd are getting on Konopacki's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Overeem misses with a hook from the clinch.
Overeem has a couple of punches blocked by Konopacki.
Overeem digs a right hand into Konopacki's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Konopacki's gas tank.
Konopacki misses with the head strike.
Konopacki doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Konopacki working aggressively here.
Konopacki is looking to control Overeem's arms but Overeem gets an underhook and turns him. Now Konopacki has his back to the cage.
Overeem blocks an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Overeem is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Konopacki is keeping busy.
The referee calls for Konopacki to work.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Overeem scores with a nice hook to the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Konopacki.
Overeem landing knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Overeem.
Konopacki lands a hook to the side of the head.
Overeem looking to throw knees to the head but Konopacki is blocking nicely.
Overeem using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Konopacki is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Overeem lands a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Konopacki.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Konopacki trying to stall but Overeem improves his position.
Overeem pressing his opponent against the cage.
Konopacki working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Overeem throws a knee to the head but misses.
Overeem with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Konopacki lands a left hand that snaps the head of Overeem backwards.
Overeem's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Konopacki tries a body shot but Overeem blocks it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Overeem tries a body shot but Konopacki blocks it.
Konopacki working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Overeem connects with a nasty looking knee right to Konopacki's face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Pawel Konopacki will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Overeem throws out a loose jab but Konopacki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Konopacki blocks a head kick by Overeem.
Konopacki throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Overeem sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Konopacki has managed to clinch.
Konopacki throws a punch but it's blocked by Overeem.
Overeem blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Overeem misses with a knee strike.
Overeem tries a knee to the head but Konopacki blocks it.
Overeem misses with some punches.
Overeem prevents a body shot from Konopacki.
Konopacki manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Konopacki breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Konopacki darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Overeem tries to roll over but Konopacki keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Konopacki wants to take a breather but Overeem is having none of it.
Overeem is trying to maintain the position but Konopacki is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jean Claude Overeem wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Konopacki looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Overeem takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Konopacki rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Overeem counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Overeem.
Konopacki working aggressively here.
Overeem using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Konopacki has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Konopacki is trying to maintain a safe position but Overeem gets an underhook and turns Konopacki into the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Overeem obliges.
Pawel Konopacki seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Konopacki working aggressively here.
Konopacki trying to control the position but instead, Overeem has worked for underhooks and has pushed Konopacki into the cage.
Overeem trying to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Konopacki is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Overeem is keeping busy.
Konopacki tries a body shot but Overeem blocks it.
Konopacki swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Overeem tries to land knees in the clinch but Konopacki avoids the damage to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Konopacki.
Konopacki has a couple of punches blocked by Overeem.
Konopacki is working Overeem over against the cage.
Overeem tries a knee to the head but Konopacki blocks it.
Overeem with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Konopacki.
Overeem wants a takedown.
Konopacki working aggressively here.
Overeem keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Konopacki's efforts to push away.
Konopacki trying to stall but Overeem improves his position.
Overeem lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Konopacki backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Konopacki lands with a light punch inside.
Nice body punch from Konopacki.
A head punch on the inside from Overeem fails to land.
Konopacki on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Overeem tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Konopacki avoids it.
Overeem with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Overeem using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Konopacki has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Konopacki has a couple of punches blocked by Overeem.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Konopacki creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Konopacki misses with a punch on the inside.
Konopacki is stalling here.
Konopacki blocking some punches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Overeem lands a right hand.
Overeem tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Overeem misses with a knee strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pawel Konopacki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Konopacki displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Overeem throws out the jab.
Konopacki misses with an attempted mid kick.
Konopacki shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Overeem sprawls well. Overeem wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Konopacki gets slowly back to his feet.
Overeem throws an overhand right that lands on Konopacki's shoulder, as Konopacki tries to avoid the shot.
Konopacki is looking to clinch but Overeem is avoiding it.
Konopacki with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Overeem to score with a decent uppercut.
Konopacki misses with a looping left.
Konopacki misses with a series of wild punches.
Konopacki thows a body shot but no joy.
Konopacki swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Konopacki.
Overeem with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Jean Claude Overeem is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Overeem pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Konopacki is looking to clinch.
Overeem misses the shot to the body.
Overeem moves in looking to clinch but Konopacki pushes him off.
Overeem scoring well with a low kick there.
Konopacki throws a series of punches but Overeem moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Overeem. Konopacki does a little dance to reset his feet.
Overeem throws a head kick that misses.
Overeem staying out of range there.
Konopacki tries to clinch up but Overeem circles away and keeps his distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Overeem avoids the head kick by Konopacki.
The fighters circle momentarily. Konopacki darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Overeem throws a front kick that sends Konopacki stumbling back into the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Overeem with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Konopacki takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Overeem throws a push kick but Konopacki slaps the foot to one side.

Overeem drops Konopacki with a beautiful combination! Konopacki stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Overeem is looking for the KO!

Konopacki is rocked!
Konopacki moves out of range as Overeem throws a body kick.
Konopacki tries to close the distance and clinch but Overeem swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Konopacki misses with an uppercut.
Konopacki throws a head kick but Overeem moves out of range.

Overeem lands a big head kick that sends Konopacki tumbling to the mat! Overeem takes a step backwards and waves Konopacki back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Konopacki is still on wobbly legs! Can Overeem finish him?
Konopacki lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Overeem buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Overeem lands with a jab that stuns his opponent. Konopacki is looking to close the distance but Overeem sees it coming and throws a beautiful knee! Konopacki crumbles to the mat and that's all she wrote! Let's hope Konopacki is OK because that was naaaaaasty!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:07 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Knee). Jean Claude Overeem!
Jean Claude Overeem is the new welterweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Jean Claude Overeem thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.