PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Elijah Van Nijhuis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jonathan Goldsmith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Goldsmith has chosen Dos Equis as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Jonathan Goldsmith is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Van Nijhuis
vs
Goldsmith

187 cm
22
192 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
30
202 lbs
11 - 15 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Elijah Van Nijhuis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jonathan Goldsmith!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Van Nijhuis shoots in for a takedown but Goldsmith shows good takedown defense.
Van Nijhuis shoots in but no luck this time.
Goldsmith throws a half hearted mid kick.
Van Nijhuis lands the left hand.
Van Nijhuis shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Goldsmith counters with a left to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Elijah Van Nijhuis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Van Nijhuis throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Goldsmith looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Goldsmith got a little sloppy there for a moment and Van Nijhuis has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Goldsmith has managed to get both his arms back between Van Nijhuis's legs - danger averted.
Van Nijhuis keeping moving, preventing Goldsmith from controlling successfully.
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.

Van Nijhuis is working an open guard so Goldsmith takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Van Nijhuis shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Goldsmith as he avoids it easily.

Van Nijhuis drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Goldsmith looking for a guillotine here but Van Nijhuis defends easily.
Van Nijhuis throws a strike but Goldsmith rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Goldsmith got a little sloppy there for a moment and Van Nijhuis has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Goldsmith has managed to get both his arms back between Van Nijhuis's legs - danger averted.
Goldsmith controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Goldsmith working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Nijhuis wants to sweep but no luck.
Goldsmith trying to stand up but can't free himself from Van Nijhuis's guard.
Van Nijhuis will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Van Nijhuis not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Van Nijhuis listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Van Nijhuis throws a right hand that Goldsmith ducks under and follows up with a left that Goldsmith also avoids with ease.
Goldsmith tries to clinch up.
Van Nijhuis dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Goldsmith. That did some damage!

Van Nijhuis forces Goldsmith back against the cage and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goldsmith has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Van Nijhuis avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Goldsmith.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Goldsmith.
Goldsmith stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Van Nijhuis tries to pull guard but Goldsmith holds him up against the cage and eventually Van Nijhuis drops back down to his feet.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Goldsmith lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Goldsmith lands a takedown into guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Van Nijhuis working for submissions but it's allowed Goldsmith to get to half guard.

Goldsmith is working for a kimura but Van Nijhuis is defending it quite comfortably.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Van Nijhuis fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Goldsmith avoids it really well and circles away.
Nice defenses there by Goldsmith.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Goldsmith ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Van Nijhuis moves away.
Goldsmith moves in looking to clinch but Van Nijhuis pushes him off.
Van Nijhuis slips under a jab from Goldsmith.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Nijhuis misses with a body shot.
Elijah Van Nijhuis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Goldsmith forces Van Nijhuis back against the cage and clinches.

Van Nijhuis pulls guard effortlessly.
Van Nijhuis looking to hit a scissor sweep but Goldsmith is one step ahead there.
Van Nijhuis wants to improve his position but instead Goldsmith has moved into half guard.
Goldsmith prevents Van Nijhuis from standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Nijhuis trying to get back to full guard but Goldsmith takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Van Nijhuis tries to lock up and control but Goldsmith gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Goldsmith tries to control but Van Nijhuis wriggling away.

Goldsmith is standing up, even though he is in mount.
A combination from Goldsmith does no damage.

Van Nijhuis clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Van Nijhuis.
Goldsmith goes for a takedown in the clinch but Van Nijhuis prevents it.

Van Nijhuis breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Van Nijhuis dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Goldsmith. That did some damage!
Van Nijhuis with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Van Nijhuis throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Goldsmith looks to score with a jab to the body but Van Nijhuis is just out of range.
Goldsmith ducks under a wild hook from Van Nijhuis.
Goldsmith uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Van Nijhuis.
Van Nijhuis throws a head kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goldsmith avoids a punch combination nicely.
Van Nijhuis dodges the punch combination from Goldsmith.
Elijah Van Nijhuis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Goldsmith looks to throw a body kick
and Van Nijhuis counters with a nice leg kick.
Elijah Van Nijhuis is winning the standup battle so far.
Van Nijhuis scores with a body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Goldsmith tries to close the distance and clinch but Van Nijhuis swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Van Nijhuis lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Goldsmith takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Van Nijhuis cracks Goldsmith with an open hand slap.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elijah Van Nijhuis dominated that second round.
That's time! Van Nijhuis's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Van Nijhuis scores with a takedown into Goldsmith's guard.

Goldsmith working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Van Nijhuis doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Van Nijhuis manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Van Nijhuis trying to control but Goldsmith is working from the bottom.

Goldsmith kicks Van Nijhuis off and gets to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goldsmith staying out of range there.

Goldsmith shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Van Nijhuis is trying to defend but Goldsmith finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Jonathan Goldsmith has got the better of the ground game so far.
Van Nijhuis won't allow Goldsmith to pass to mount.
Van Nijhuis pushes Goldsmith off looking to stand but Goldsmith dives back in and keeps control.
Van Nijhuis is trying to control but Goldsmith passes into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Nijhuis sneaks back into half guard.
Still in half guard, Goldsmith seems content to control.

Goldsmith is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Van Nijhuis doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Goldsmith.
Goldsmith thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Van Nijhuis's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Nijhuis regains full guard. Nicely done.

Goldsmith gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Goldsmith avoids the body shot from Van Nijhuis.

Goldsmith gets tackled into the cage by Van Nijhuis. Van Nijhuis maintains the clinch.
Goldsmith lands a left hand that snaps the head of Van Nijhuis backwards.
Goldsmith has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Van Nijhuis after a bit of a struggle.
Goldsmith wants to break free but Van Nijhuis has control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Nijhuis lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Goldsmith gets control of Van Nijhuis's arms and successfully pulls guard. Goldsmith will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Van Nijhuis postures up in Goldsmith's guard and throws a big left but Goldsmith blocks it.
Van Nijhuis looking to sit in guard and control but Goldsmith gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Van Nijhuis has his foot on Goldsmith's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Goldsmith works his way back into a safe position though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Van Nijhuis had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Goldsmith defends it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Goldsmith trying to control the position from guard on top but Van Nijhuis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Jonathan Goldsmith just about did enough to take it.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Van Nijhuis misses with a body kick.
Van Nijhuis connects with an inside leg kick.
Goldsmith shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Goldsmith throws a right and a left that both miss.
Goldsmith looks to land a combination but Van Nijhuis avoids it well.
Van Nijhuis moves out of range of the body kick from Goldsmith.
Goldsmith slips a straight right by Van Nijhuis.
Van Nijhuis throws a head kick that Goldsmith semi-blocks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goldsmith is trying hard to land a takedown here. Van Nijhuis sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Van Nijhuis lands a leg kick that knocks Goldsmith off balance momentarily.
Van Nijhuis circles away from the clinch attempt.

Goldsmith shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Goldsmith is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Van Nijhuis is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Van Nijhuis manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Van Nijhuis working for a triangle but Goldsmith defends it easily.
Goldsmith sitting in guard here, content to control.
Goldsmith stopping the sweep attempt from Van Nijhuis.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Goldsmith stands and steps away. Van Nijhuis gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Van Nijhuis lands with a kick to the temple. Goldsmith shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Van Nijhuis shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Van Nijhuis was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Van Nijhuis is looking to take a break and control but Goldsmith is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Goldsmith manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Nijhuis regains full guard. Nicely done.
Van Nijhuis not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Van Nijhuis looking for a sweep. Not yet Van Nijhuis, not yet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Van Nijhuis looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Goldsmith passes into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Goldsmith wants to lay and pray for a moment but Van Nijhuis keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elijah Van Nijhuis had his way with Jonathan Goldsmith in that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Goldsmith manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Van Nijhuis on his heels. He'll look to pass Van Nijhuis's guard now, I'm sure.
Goldsmith is looking to stand up but Van Nijhuis won't let him.

Van Nijhuis looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Goldsmith has picked Van Nijhuis up and slammed him! Van Nijhuis can't keep hold of the triangle and Goldsmith manages to pass to side control!
Goldsmith moves into full mount!
Van Nijhuis working to try and regain half guard.
Van Nijhuis is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goldsmith lands a heavy elbow.
Van Nijhuis tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Van Nijhuis tries to hold on but Goldsmith postures up.

Goldsmith looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Nijhuis can't escape the position.
Goldsmith looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Van Nijhuis is in all sorts of trouble here.
Goldsmith looking to control but Van Nijhuis is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Nijhuis sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Van Nijhuis looking for submissions off his back.
Van Nijhuis is looking to improve his position.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Goldsmith is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Nijhuis tries to roll over but Goldsmith keeps him under control.
Van Nijhuis looks like he's trying to stand up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Van Nijhuis is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Goldsmith pulls his head out easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jonathan Goldsmith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Goldsmith has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Jonathan Goldsmith!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Elijah Van Nijhuis!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Elijah Van Nijhuis!

Elijah Van Nijhuis wins by split decision!