PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Riviere Hinds (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jean Van Dam (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Hinds
vs
Van Dam

165 cm
25
145 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

180 cm
25
155 lbs
15 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

TFP Graphics - Pit Inc

Milwaukee's Best 160 SALE $140

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Riviere Hinds!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jean Van Dam!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Viktor Lagutenko and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hinds throws a big shot that misses.

Van Dam gets a double leg takedown into Hinds's guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Van Dam wants to pass the guard but Hinds is keeping the position.
Hinds looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Van Dam throws a big elbow that misses.
Van Dam throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hinds works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Van Dam postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Van Dam looking to pass the guard.
Van Dam with a nice head shot there.
Hinds might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Hinds avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Van Dam throws a strike but Hinds rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Van Dam is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hinds preventing the sweep.
Hinds trying to control the position from guard on top but Van Dam is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Van Dam seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Van Dam wants to stand and escape but Hinds is having none of it.
Hinds postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Van Dam wants to get back to his feet but Hinds passes into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Van Dam manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Van Dam is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hinds is controlling him.
Hinds trying to control the position from guard on top but Van Dam is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Van Dam holds on and takes a little breather.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hinds lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hinds has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Van Dam looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hinds controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Hinds is looking to work some ground and pound but Van Dam has wrist control.
Van Dam is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hinds wants to control from the top but Van Dam keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Van Dam will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Van Dam throws a looping overhand right but Hinds ducks down to avoid it.
Van Dam shoots in and drives through. Hinds sprawls well.
Van Dam tries to clinch there but Hinds circles away.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hinds, as that shot connected.
Jean Van Dam seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Van Dam tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hinds manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Dam shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

so Hinds counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Riviere Hinds has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jean Van Dam.
Van Dam wants to stand up but Hinds is controlling him.
Van Dam is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Van Dam has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hinds is looking to work some ground and pound but Van Dam has wrist control.
Hinds postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Van Dam wants to stand up but Hinds is controlling him.
Van Dam keeping moving, preventing Hinds from controlling successfully.
Hinds throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Van Dam works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hinds preventing the sweep.
Van Dam is trying to control the position but Hinds postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Hinds thows a body shot but no joy.
Van Dam looks for a takedown but Hinds sprawls well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hinds lands with a right hand.
Van Dam is looking to clinch.
Van Dam shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Van Dam shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Hinds's guard.
Van Dam won't allow Hinds to sweep him here.

Hinds is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Van Dam defends well.
Van Dam is looking to work some ground and pound but Hinds has wrist control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Van Dam wants to pass the guard but Hinds is keeping the position.
Van Dam preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jean Van Dam will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Van Dam moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Hinds dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Van Dam. That did some damage!
Hinds defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Van Dam.
Horrible takedown by Van Dam or perhaps it was just good defense by Hinds which made him look bad.

Van Dam gets the takedown into side control.
Hinds manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Van Dam wants to get back to his feet.
Hinds thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Van Dam is trying to stand back up but Hinds is controlling him
Van Dam is looking to control Hinds's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Van Dam avoid being mounted?
Hinds not doing much here.
Van Dam blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hinds.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hinds trying to pass the guard but Van Dam defending well.
Van Dam wants to improve his position but Hinds is controlling well.
Van Dam is looking to escape.
Hinds content to control rather than advance.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Van Dam jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hinds misses with a hook.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hinds is defended easily by Van Dam.
Van Dam takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Van Dam tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hinds was well out of range. Poor timing from Van Dam.
Van Dam connects with a looping right hand.
Hinds misses with a straight left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Dam fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Riviere Hinds has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jean Van Dam.
Van Dam shoots in but Hinds avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Van Dam shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hinds defends it nicely.
Hinds misses with a wild body shot.
Van Dam tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hinds swivels and escapes.
Hinds throws a leg kick but Van Dam sees it coming and moves out of range.
Van Dam shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hinds defends it nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hinds swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hinds missing with a left hand there. Van Dam was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Van Dam shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Hinds counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Hinds throwing shots but Van Dam is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Hinds there.
Hinds looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Van Dam avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hinds.
Hinds prevents Van Dam from standing back up.
Van Dam is trying to get back to full guard.
Van Dam gets full guard.
Hinds controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Hinds postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Van Dam is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hinds missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hinds with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Dam is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Hinds wants to control from the top but Van Dam keeps moving.
Van Dam looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hinds is one step ahead there.
Hinds trying to control but Van Dam is working from the bottom.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Hinds throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Van Dam checks a low kick from Hinds.
Van Dam takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Hinds defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Van Dam.
No luck for Van Dam with that takedown attempt.
Hinds lands a nice shot that snaps Van Dam's head back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Riviere Hinds dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Van Dam misses with a takedown

and Hinds counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Hinds lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Van Dam wants to sweep but no luck.
Hinds wants to pass the guard but Van Dam is keeping the position.
Hinds stopping the sweep attempt from Van Dam.
Riviere Hinds overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hinds postures up.
Hinds stopping the sweep attempt from Van Dam.
Van Dam is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Hinds postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hinds postures up in Van Dam's guard and throws a big left but Van Dam blocks it.
Van Dam manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Dam scoring with strikes but Hinds is staying in there.
Van Dam with shots to the head and body - Hinds looks very uncomfortable down there.
Hinds gets back to half guard.
Van Dam throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Van Dam throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Van Dam is working for a kimura but Hinds is defending it quite comfortably.
Van Dam lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hinds works his way to full guard. Good work.
Van Dam chips away with some ground and pound.
Hinds manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Van Dam manages to get himself to full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hinds postures up in Van Dam's guard and throws a big left but Van Dam blocks it.
Hinds lands a couple of elbows.
Van Dam wants to stand and escape but Hinds is having none of it.
Van Dam trying to keep a closed guard but Hinds is proving a slippery customer.
Hinds throws a big elbow that misses.
Van Dam pulls Hinds in to control the position.
Hinds trying to control the position from guard on top but Van Dam is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hinds postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hinds working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Dam trying to keep a closed guard but Hinds is proving a slippery customer.
Hinds controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jean Van Dam was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Hinds tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Van Dam is able to avoid easily.

Hinds closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Van Dam's guard.
Van Dam looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hinds is one step ahead there.
Hinds is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Van Dam wants to improve his position but instead Hinds has moved into half guard.
Van Dam regains full guard. Nicely done.
Van Dam is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Dam wants to stand and escape but Hinds is having none of it.
Hinds stopping the sweep attempt from Van Dam.
Van Dam keeping moving, preventing Hinds from controlling successfully.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Van Dam avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hinds wants to control from the top but Van Dam keeps moving.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Van Dam takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Van Dam shoots in looking for a takedown. Hinds tries to sprawl out of it but Van Dam keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hinds manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hinds throws a lazy uppercut

and Van Dam counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Van Dam.
Van Dam takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hinds is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Hinds tries to pass to full mount but Van Dam defends it.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Riviere Hinds.
Well Hinds has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 28:29
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Riviere Hinds!