PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Matt VG (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wikus Van Der Merwe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

VG
vs
Van Der Merwe

182 cm
21
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

215 cm
19
145 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Matt VG!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Wikus Van Der Merwe!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Vladimir Khabensky and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Van Der Merwe darts in trying to clinch

and VG counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by VG.
VG stalling in the clinch.
Van Der Merwe tries to throw a body punch but VG avoids it by throwing Van Der Merwe back against the cage.
Van Der Merwe tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
VG jumps guard but Van Der Merwe turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Van Der Merwe tries to throw a body punch but VG avoids it by throwing Van Der Merwe back against the cage.
Van Der Merwe is trying to stall.
Van Der Merwe tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and VG avoids it.
VG is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Van Der Merwe misses with the head strike.
Van Der Merwe trying to stall but VG improves his position.
Van Der Merwe seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
VG is trying to force a seperation but Van Der Merwe has the dominant position.
Van Der Merwe is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Come on VG - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Der Merwe misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from VG.

VG decides to pull guard.
VG lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Van Der Merwe!
Van Der Merwe is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

VG is standing up, even though he is in mount.

VG closes the distance and pushes Van Der Merwe back into the cage.
Van Der Merwe is trying to maintain a safe position but VG gets an underhook and turns Van Der Merwe into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
VG tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt VG. That's going to take a lot out of him.
VG wants to get back to striking at distance but Van Der Merwe won't allow it.
Van Der Merwe is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but VG is keeping busy.
Van Der Merwe misses with a punch to the body.
VG on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Van Der Merwe has a couple of punches blocked by VG.
VG wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Van Der Merwe has him pressed against the cage.
VG jumps guard but Van Der Merwe turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
VG is trying to break the clinch but Van Der Merwe has him pressed against the cage.
Van Der Merwe is trying to stall.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Van Der Merwe misses with the head strike.
VG tries to break the clinch but Van Der Merwe is controlling the position.
Van Der Merwe misses with a body punch.
Van Der Merwe taking a breather.
VG is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Van Der Merwe gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

VG breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
VG misses with a wild combination.
Wikus Van Der Merwe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
VG shoots in but no luck this time.
Van Der Merwe misses with a double jab.
Van Der Merwe fakes high and swings low for a body shot but VG manages to avoid it.
Van Der Merwe tries to clinch up but VG circles away and keeps his distance.
Van Der Merwe tries to clinch but VG is having none of it.
Van Der Merwe looks to clinch

and VG counters by moving into the clinch.
Van Der Merwe tries to work over VG's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Van Der Merwe tried to land a shot to the body but connects with VG's elbow.
Van Der Merwe is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but VG is keeping busy.
VG is trying to break free.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Van Der Merwe is trying to maintain a safe position but VG gets an underhook and turns Van Der Merwe into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Merwe misses with a hook to the ribs.
Van Der Merwe tries to stall but VG uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Wikus Van Der Merwe.
Van Der Merwe tries to clinch up but VG circles away and keeps his distance.
Van Der Merwe misses with the combination.

VG gets in close and instigates a clinch.
VG tries a knee to the head but Van Der Merwe blocks it.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
VG looking for a takedown.
Van Der Merwe misses with some punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Van Der Merwe looking to stall.
Van Der Merwe misses with a body punch.

VG manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Wikus Van Der Merwe will probably get the nod.
That's time! VG's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

VG closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Van Der Merwe.
Van Der Merwe is looking to control VG's arms but VG gets an underhook and turns him. Now Van Der Merwe has his back to the cage.
VG has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Van Der Merwe tries to work over VG's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Van Der Merwe misses with a punch on the inside.
VG is pushing Van Der Merwe up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Van Der Merwe trying to land knees to the body.
VG blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Van Der Merwe tries to throw a body punch but VG avoids it by throwing Van Der Merwe back against the cage.
Van Der Merwe taking a breather.
VG avoiding damage as Van Der Merwe throws knees to the body.
VG goes for a takedown attempt but Van Der Merwe pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
VG misses with a head kick.
VG avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Van Der Merwe tries to clinch but VG is having none of it.
VG really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Van Der Merwe tries to clinch up.
Van Der Merwe tries to clinch there but VG circles away.
VG fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Van Der Merwe moves in looking to clinch but VG pushes him off.
Horrible takedown by VG or perhaps it was just good defense by Van Der Merwe which made him look bad.
VG is looking to clinch.
No luck for VG with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt VG. That's going to take a lot out of him.
VG tries to close the distance and clinch up but Van Der Merwe swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Merwe takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

VG rushes Van Der Merwe and presses him up against the cage.
Van Der Merwe throws a head punch that misses.
Van Der Merwe is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but VG is keeping busy.
Van Der Merwe misses with the head strike.
VG wants a takedown but no success here.
VG is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Van Der Merwe pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Van Der Merwe is trying to stall.
VG jumps guard but Van Der Merwe turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Van Der Merwe pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Van Der Merwe stalling in the clinch but VG improves position.
VG blocks a body shot from Van Der Merwe.
This has been an exciting period of action!
VG drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Van Der Merwe gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Van Der Merwe looking to slow down the pace here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Merwe managing to block the knees to the body from VG.
Van Der Merwe doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Van Der Merwe is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Van Der Merwe is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Wikus Van Der Merwe.
VG leaves Van Der Merwe with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
VG keeps the fight on the outside.
Van Der Merwe fails in his attempt to clinch.
Van Der Merwe shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. VG defends it nicely.
VG tries for a takedown but Van Der Merwe sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Merwe fails with an attempt to clinch.
VG throws a low kick but Van Der Merwe avoids it.
VG fails with the takedown.
Van Der Merwe wants to clinch but VG slips to the side

and VG counters by moving into the clinch.
Van Der Merwe blocks the elbow strike.
Van Der Merwe tries to stall but VG uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
VG tries for a takedown but Van Der Merwe manages to get underhooks.
VG is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Van Der Merwe gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Van Der Merwe working aggressively here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Van Der Merwe trying to land knees to the body.
Van Der Merwe tries to work over VG's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Van Der Merwe taking a breather.
VG can't get the takedown.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Van Der Merwe misses with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wikus Van Der Merwe showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Van Der Merwe looks to clinch

and VG moves into the clinch.
Van Der Merwe misses with a knee strike.
VG blocks an uppercut.
VG is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Van Der Merwe throws an elbow but it's blocked.
VG lands with a left to the head.
Van Der Merwe tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Van Der Merwe goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
VG blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Van Der Merwe wants to stall.
VG prevents a body shot from Van Der Merwe.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Van Der Merwe swings wildly with an uppercut but VG uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wikus Van Der Merwe seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Van Der Merwe is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but VG is keeping busy.
VG has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Der Merwe tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and VG avoids it.
VG looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

VG pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
VG throws a right and a left that both miss.
Van Der Merwe tries to clinch there but VG circles away.
Van Der Merwe is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
VG pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Van Der Merwe looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Van Der Merwe moves in looking to clinch but VG pushes him off.
Van Der Merwe moves to clinch but VG breaks away

and VG moves into the clinch.
VG has had enough of the clinch but Van Der Merwe keeps him there for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
VG can't get the takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Van Der Merwe is trying to maintain a safe position but VG gets an underhook and turns Van Der Merwe into the cage.
Van Der Merwe has a couple of punches blocked by VG.
VG wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Van Der Merwe has him pressed against the cage.
Van Der Merwe is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
VG tries to stall but Van Der Merwe uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
VG wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by VG as Van Der Merwe tries to tie him up.
VG can't break the clinch.
Van Der Merwe just leaning against VG, taking a breather.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Wikus Van Der Merwe.

VG clinches with his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Merwe gets underhooks to prevent VG's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt VG. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Van Der Merwe misses with a punch to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by VG as Van Der Merwe tries to tie him up.
Van Der Merwe avoiding damage as VG throws knees to the body.
VG blocks a body shot from Van Der Merwe.
VG is stalling here.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
VG jumps guard but Van Der Merwe turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Van Der Merwe can't find room to land a body shot as VG controls the action.
Van Der Merwe looking to slow down the pace here.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Merwe has a couple of punches blocked by VG.
Van Der Merwe wants to stall.

VG breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Van Der Merwe moves in looking to clinch but VG pushes him off.
VG avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
VG swats away the attempt to clinch by Van Der Merwe.
Van Der Merwe is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Van Der Merwe moves in looking to clinch but VG pushes him off.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Van Der Merwe avoids the head kick by VG.
Matt VG has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wikus Van Der Merwe is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Van Der Merwe tries to close the distance and clinch but VG swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Van Der Merwe misses with a straight left.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wikus Van Der Merwe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Van Der Merwe 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wikus Van Der Merwe!
A very excited looking Wikus Van Der Merwe made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.