PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jimmy Bjj (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tong Van damm (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Van damm has chosen Life Goes On as his entrance music. Jimmy Bjj could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Tong Van damm's chin.

Bjj
vs
Van damm

185 cm
28
202 lbs
15 - 6 - 0

198 cm
32
200 lbs
26 - 17 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
World class boxer
Cardio machine

TWGC Champion
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jimmy Bjj!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tong Van damm!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Van damm shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bjj sprawls well. Bjj wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Van damm gets slowly back to his feet.
Van damm punishes Bjj's body with a nice straight punch.
Bjj fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Van damm manages to avoid it.
Van damm stuffs the takedown.
Van damm wants to clinch.

Van damm drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Bjj pulls Van damm in close to his closed guard and prevents Van damm from doing any damage or advancing position.
Van damm wants to control from the top but Bjj keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bjj preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Van damm is looking to work some ground and pound but Bjj has wrist control.
Van damm stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bjj swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bjj wants to sweep but no luck.
Bjj pulls Van damm in close to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van damm with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bjj working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Van damm.
Van damm wants to control from the top but Bjj keeps moving.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Bjj misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Van damm.
Good exchange - Van damm coming out on top.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Van damm is defended easily by Bjj.
Van damm uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bjj.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Van damm closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Van damm lands in his opponent's guard.
Van damm has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Bjj is trying to control the position but Van damm postures up.
Van damm trying to control but Bjj is working from the bottom.
Van damm looking to sit in guard and control but Bjj gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Bjj looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van damm bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bjj's guard.
Van damm not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Bjj is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Van damm is controlling him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Van damm won't allow Bjj to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bjj takes a swing at Van damm's ribcage but misses.
Bjj works the jab nicely.
Bjj throws a jab but it's blocked by Van damm.
Bjj thows a left - swing and a miss!
Van damm takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Bjj rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Van damm counters with a straight right hand.

It looks like Jimmy Bjj has been cut.
Van damm tries to clinch up.
Van damm swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Bjj counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Van damm takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bjj missing with a left hand there. Van damm was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bjj throws a jab when Van damm was well out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van damm slips a jab from Bjj.
Van damm cracks Bjj with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Bjj misses with an uppercut. Van damm saw that one coming.
Van damm takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Van damm fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Bjj rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Van damm moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bjj misses with a right hand
and Van damm connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bjj throws a right hand that misses

and Van damm counters by clinching up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bjj looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A head punch on the inside from Bjj fails to land.
Van damm creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Van damm displaying some good clinch control by pressing Bjj up against the cage.
A hook to the body from Bjj.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Van damm misses with a hook from the clinch.
Van damm taking a breather.
Bjj tries to break the clinch but Van damm is controlling the position.
Bjj trying to control the position but instead, Van damm has worked for underhooks and has pushed Bjj into the cage.
Bjj being controlled against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van damm scores a nice knee to the body.
Bjj can't break the clinch.
Van damm keeps control of Bjj as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Van damm lands a shoulder strike.
Bjj is trying to break free.
A right hand to the body from Bjj.
Van damm on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Van damm is stalling here.
Bjj tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Bjj tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Van damm's elbow.
Van damm lands a damaging elbow.
A frustrated look appears on Bjj's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van damm blocks a body shot from Bjj.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Van damm is pushing Bjj up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Bjj tries to stall but Van damm uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Van damm prevents a body shot from Bjj.

Van damm pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Van damm lands the left hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bjj loads up on a big right hand but Van damm slips the punch.
Bjj throws a body punch but Van damm moves out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bjj throws a series of punches but Van damm moves out of range.
Bjj is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy Bjj dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jimmy Bjj's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bjj looks to land a left hand but Van damm moved out of range nicely.
Bjj looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Van damm fakes the leg kick and cracks Bjj in the body.
Van damm shoots for a takedown but Bjj saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Bjj rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Van damm moves into the clinch.
Van damm lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Bjj breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bjj closes this distance looking for a takedown but Van damm circles away.
Van damm avoids the body shot from Bjj.
Bjj misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Van damm counters with a straight right hand.
Van damm on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van damm lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Van damm lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Tong Van damm seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bjj gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Bjj fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Van damm is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bjj sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Van damm avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Van damm bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Van damm darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Van damm wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bjj keeps working.
Bjj regains full guard. Nicely done.

Bjj is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Van damm is aware though and is defending well.
Van damm controlling from the top position.
Bjj can't keep his opponent in guard - Van damm advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van damm trying to pass the guard but Bjj defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Van damm is trying to control. Bjj wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Van damm might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Bjj haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Tong Van damm hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Van damm moves into the clinch.
Bjj struggles to land a body shot inside as Van damm controls his hands.
Van damm lands a nice uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Van damm.
Bjj wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Van damm has picked Bjj up - he's going for a ride! Van damm dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Van damm is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Bjj is just riding it out for now. Van damm eventually gives up the hold.
Bjj might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bjj has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Van damm is working away from the top position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tong Van damm really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jimmy Bjj's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Van damm ducks under a wild hook from Bjj.
Bjj rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Van damm to counter with a crisp jab.
Bjj with a nice cross.

Bjj moves into the clinch.
Van damm working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Bjj manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A frustrated look appears on Bjj's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Van damm can't find room to land a body shot as Bjj controls the action.
Bjj looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Bjj is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Van damm's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van damm missing with knees to the body.
Bjj wants a takedown but no success here.
Bjj lands a nice shot to the body.
Bjj tries to work over Van damm's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Bjj fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bjj works on Van damm's body with a couple of short punches.

Van damm turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Bjj is trying to control Van damm's posture but Van damm avoids it.
Van damm trying to control the action but Bjj is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bjj is trying to improve his position.
Van damm scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Bjj to see if he's OK.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Van damm trying to control the position but Bjj is working away.

Van damm is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Bjj has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bjj is trying to control Van damm's posture but Van damm avoids it.
Van damm postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Bjj stops Van damm from passing to mount.
Van damm is looking to take a break and control but Bjj is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van damm working away.
Bjj defending against the ground and pound.
Bjj is trying to get back to half guard.
Van damm in side control, throwing shots but Bjj defends.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Van damm working the head and body with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Tong Van damm will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Jimmy Bjj's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Van damm throws out a loose jab but Bjj uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jimmy Bjj has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bjj misses with a jab, cross combination.
Bjj throws the left hand but Van damm avoids the punch easily.
Bjj is looking to clinch but Van damm is avoiding it.
Van damm avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bjj throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Van damm.
Van damm displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bjj throws out the jab.

Van damm gets the takedown into side control.
Tong Van damm has got the better of the ground game so far.
Van damm working the strikes but Bjj uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Van damm with the ground and pound but Bjj uses the opportunity to regain guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van damm sitting in guard here, content to control.
Bjj utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Bjj has his hands on Van damm's head, controlling the position.
Van damm content to stall in guard here.
Van damm pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bjj is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Bjj tries to clinch but Van damm is having none of it.
Jab from Van damm.
Bjj looks to score with a jab to the body but Van damm is just out of range.
Bjj misses with a looping left.
Van damm throws a head kick but Bjj moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bjj clobbers Van damm with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Van damm dives in for a single leg takedown but Bjj sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Van damm is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Bjj breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bjj rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Van damm counters with a nice uppercut.
Van damm avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bjj scores with a body shot.
Van damm connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Bjj throws an off balance right hand
and Van damm counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Tong Van damm is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bjj throws a right hand that misses
and Van damm counters with a slapping leg kick.
Bjj throws a lazy uppercut
and Van damm cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Van damm scoring well with a low kick there.
Van damm is looking to clinch but Bjj is avoiding it.
Bjj swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Van damm counters with a good low kick that Bjj was not able to check.
Bjj swings away with a body shot that misses

and Van damm counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Bjj!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bjj is looking to regain half guard here but Van damm keeps moving and retains side control.
Van damm slows the pace down.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tong Van damm comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Van damm 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 46:49
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 46:49
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tong Van damm! Tong Van damm retains his middleweight title!
Tong Van damm seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.