PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Laurens Van Der Sluijs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pawel Konopacki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Van Der Sluijs comes to the cage accompanied by Shutterbugg - Big Boi Feat. Cutty. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Van Der Sluijs
vs
Konopacki

178 cm
27
176 lbs
17 - 5 - 0

179 cm
25
171 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Laurens Van Der Sluijs!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Pawel Konopacki!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Vladimir Khabensky and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Konopacki throws a nice looking combination but Van Der Sluijs bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Van Der Sluijs has been working on his boxing with his coaches at ACME! Thai Boxing Academy 13 ELITE COACHES & SAUNA in the buildup to the fight.
Pawel Konopacki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Van Der Sluijs.
Konopacki misses with a straight right.
Konopacki misses with a looping right.
Konopacki ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Konopacki scores with a sloppy right hand. Van Der Sluijs should have avoided that one.

Konopacki tries to sprawl but Van Der Sluijs drives through with a takedown into half guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Van Der Sluijs seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Konopacki does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Konopacki trying to control here.
Konopacki is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Van Der Sluijs is looking to advance position but Konopacki won't allow it.
Konopacki is looking to improve his position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Konopacki trying to control but Van Der Sluijs postures up.
Van Der Sluijs is trying to control the action in half guard but Konopacki is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Der Sluijs sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Konopacki defending well though.
Konopacki blocking the ground and pound attempt from Van Der Sluijs.
Konopacki is refusing to be controlled, as Van Der Sluijs sits in half guard.
Konopacki works his way to full guard. Good work.
Van Der Sluijs has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Konopacki pulls Van Der Sluijs in close to prevent any damage.
Van Der Sluijs lands a couple of elbows.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Van Der Sluijs accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Van Der Sluijs looking to pass the guard.
Konopacki trying to keep a closed guard but Van Der Sluijs is proving a slippery customer.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Konopacki is on top in guard.
Konopacki slips nicely into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Sluijs trying to hold on to Konopacki's head to control him but Konopacki postures up.

Konopacki is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Konopacki throwing shots but Van Der Sluijs is blocking nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Konopacki with the ground and pound but Van Der Sluijs uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Van Der Sluijs controlling the position.
Konopacki wants to pass the guard but Van Der Sluijs is keeping the position.
Konopacki makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Van Der Sluijs is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Sluijs working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Konopacki 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.
Van Der Sluijs scoring with some ground and pound.
Konopacki wants to sweep here but Van Der Sluijs controlling him for the moment.
Konopacki wants to control the position but Van Der Sluijs says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Konopacki makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Konopacki.
Konopacki keeping moving, preventing Van Der Sluijs from controlling successfully.
Our spies down at at LOD - Quality Training inform us that Konopacki has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Van Der Sluijs showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Van Der Sluijs postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Konopacki 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.
Van Der Sluijs trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Van Der Sluijs sitting in guard here, content to control.
Van Der Sluijs trying to control but Konopacki is working from the bottom.
Van Der Sluijs throws a big elbow that misses.
Van Der Sluijs postures up.
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 Der Sluijs tries to free his leg and advance position but Konopacki is retaining full guard.
Konopacki looking for a sweep. Not yet Konopacki, not yet.
Konopacki being controlled here, momentarily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Konopacki trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Konopacki lands a head kick. Van Der Sluijs smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Laurens Van Der Sluijs will probably get the nod.
That's time! Van Der Sluijs's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Konopacki throws a shot to the body.
Konopacki does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Van Der Sluijs fails to land with a series of punches.
Van Der Sluijs throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Van Der Sluijs lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Van Der Sluijs looks for the body kick but Konopacki saw that one coming.
Konopacki tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Van Der Sluijs defends well and Konopacki ends up having to push Van Der Sluijs into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Van Der Sluijs goes for a takedown in the clinch but Konopacki prevents it.
Konopacki throws a head punch that misses.

Van Der Sluijs has clasped his hands together around Konopacki's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Van Der Sluijs throws an elbow but Konopacki slips to the side and avoids it well.
Konopacki tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Konopacki manages to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Der Sluijs takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Konopacki is looking to improve his position.
Van Der Sluijs missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Van Der Sluijs is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Konopacki wants to improve his position but Van Der Sluijs is controlling well.
Van Der Sluijs landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Konopacki won't allow Van Der Sluijs to pass to mount.
Laurens Van Der Sluijs overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Konopacki trying to hold on to Van Der Sluijs's head to control him but Van Der Sluijs postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Konopacki taking some punishment here, with Van Der Sluijs in his half guard.
Van Der Sluijs throwing shots but Konopacki is blocking nicely.
Van Der Sluijs seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Konopacki does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Van Der Sluijs thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Konopacki's head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Van Der Sluijs scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Konopacki wants to control but Van Der Sluijs is keeping busy.
Van Der Sluijs prevents Konopacki from improving his position.
Konopacki keeps trying to improve his position.
Konopacki is concentrating on defense, preventing Van Der Sluijs from advancing position.
Konopacki trying to hold on to Van Der Sluijs's head to control him but Van Der Sluijs postures up.
Konopacki avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Van Der Sluijs.
Well, if Van Der Sluijs is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Konopacki avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Van Der Sluijs.
Konopacki blocking the ground and pound attempt from Van Der Sluijs.
Konopacki keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Konopacki wants to get back to full guard.
Van Der Sluijs is trying to control. Konopacki wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Konopacki is positioning himself well to prevent Van Der Sluijs advancing to mount.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Van Der Sluijs will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Konopacki throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Van Der Sluijs connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Konopacki's hands.
Good shot there by Van Der Sluijs.
Van Der Sluijs throws the left hand but Konopacki avoids the punch easily.
Van Der Sluijs fails to land with a series of punches.
Konopacki closes the distance but Van Der Sluijs moves to the side
and Van Der Sluijs counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Konopacki closes the distance and clinches up with Van Der Sluijs, looking for a takedown. Konopacki pushes Van Der Sluijs against the cage but Van Der Sluijs circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Konopacki looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Konopacki uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Van Der Sluijs.
Konopacki walks into a stiff left hand from Van Der Sluijs.

Konopacki is rocked!
Konopacki moves away from the strike by Van Der Sluijs.
Van Der Sluijs will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Konopacki stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Laurens Van Der Sluijs. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Van Der Sluijs takes one to the side of the head.
Van Der Sluijs keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Van Der Sluijs closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Van Der Sluijs prevents Konopacki from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Laurens Van Der Sluijs dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Konopacki moves into the clinch.
Van Der Sluijs is looking to break free of the clinch but Konopacki has double underhooks.

Konopacki escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Konopacki has a takedown stuffed.
Konopacki ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Konopacki stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Konopacki wants it to stay on the feet.
Konopacki throws a looping overhand right but Van Der Sluijs ducks down to avoid it.
Konopacki lands a nice shot that snaps Van Der Sluijs's head back.
Van Der Sluijs swings widly with a right hand

and Konopacki counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Van Der Sluijs's guard now.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Van Der Sluijs holds on and takes a little breather.
Konopacki must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Konopacki wants to control from the top but Van Der Sluijs keeps moving.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Konopacki stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Van Der Sluijs swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Konopacki accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Konopacki wants to control from the top but Van Der Sluijs keeps moving.
Konopacki trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
An inside leg kick lands from Van Der Sluijs.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Konopacki.
Laurens Van Der Sluijs is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Sluijs fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Konopacki manages to avoid it.
Konopacki displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Van Der Sluijs.
Van Der Sluijs checks the leg kick.
Pawel Konopacki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Van Der Sluijs misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Laurens Van Der Sluijs. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Konopacki tries to clinch up.
Van Der Sluijs walks into a stiff left hand from Konopacki.
Van Der Sluijs ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Konopacki.
Konopacki takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Konopacki takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Konopacki lands with a straight right. Van Der Sluijs didn't see that one coming.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Van Der Sluijs takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Konopacki looks to land a left hand but Van Der Sluijs moved out of range nicely.
Konopacki takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Nice straight punches there by Van Der Sluijs. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Van Der Sluijs.
Van Der Sluijs scores with a nice right hand.
Laurens Van Der Sluijs is winning the standup battle so far.
Van Der Sluijs keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Konopacki.
Van Der Sluijs moves away from the strike by Konopacki.
Konopacki misses with a looping right.
Nice cross by Konopacki.

Van Der Sluijs manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Konopacki on his heels. He'll look to pass Konopacki's guard now, I'm sure.
Konopacki lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Van Der Sluijs!
Van Der Sluijs trying desperately to get to his feet.
Konopacki controlling from the full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Sluijs gets back to half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Van Der Sluijs tries to get to full guard but Konopacki has control of the leg.
Konopacki wants to lay and pray for a moment but Van Der Sluijs keeps working.
Konopacki works his way into side control.
You can see the frustration on Van Der Sluijs's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Van Der Sluijs is looking to regain half guard here but Konopacki keeps moving and retains side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pawel Konopacki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Van Der Sluijs has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:28
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Laurens Van Der Sluijs!
Laurens Van Der Sluijs thanked the fans post fight for their support.