PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Cholo Van Gaal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chester Emerson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Emerson has chosen Inner Circle - Bad Boys as his entrance music. 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.

Van Gaal
vs
Emerson

177 cm
22
162 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

177 cm
25
160 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Powerful

Worldwide Nutrition (160q)

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Cholo Van Gaal!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chester Emerson!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Tiny Johnson and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emerson throws a series of punches but Van Gaal avoids them all with ease.
It looked like Van Gaal wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Van Gaal just misses with a punch to the body.

Emerson takes the fight into the clinch.
Emerson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Van Gaal tries to circle away but Emerson has him pinned against the cage.
Emerson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Van Gaal's efforts to push away.
Van Gaal is trying to break the clinch but Emerson has him pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Emerson.
Emerson lands with a left to the head.
Emerson lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Van Gaal or not.
Emerson scores with a nice hook to the head.
Emerson has a couple of punches blocked by Van Gaal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Gaal working hard to break the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Emerson.
Van Gaal can't break the clinch.
Emerson lands a hook that snaps the head of Van Gaal backwards.
Van Gaal looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Emerson's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Van Gaal is trying to push Emerson away but Emerson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Emerson effectively controlling the action here.
Emerson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Van Gaal backwards.
Van Gaal definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Van Gaal is trying to break the clinch but Emerson is controlling him.
A head punch on the inside from Emerson fails to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Gaal is trying to break the clinch but Emerson is controlling him.
A frustrated look appears on Van Gaal's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Emerson has Van Gaal pressed against the cage, preventing Van Gaal from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Van Gaal has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Van Gaal breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Emerson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Van Gaal.
Van Gaal swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Van Gaal circles away from the clinch attempt.
It looked like Van Gaal wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Van Gaal's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Van Gaal duly obliges.

Emerson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Emerson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Van Gaal working hard to break the clinch.
Van Gaal is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emerson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A short right from Emerson.
A shot in the inside from Emerson.
Emerson stalling the fight.
Emerson controlling the action here for a moment.
Emerson continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Van Gaal tries to circle away but Emerson has him pinned against the cage.
Emerson lands with a light punch inside.
Emerson prevents Van Gaal from breaking the clinch.

Van Gaal pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Emerson tries to clinch there but Van Gaal circles away.
Emerson slips under a jab from Van Gaal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emerson doesn't manage to clinch there - Van Gaal circles away.
Van Gaal is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Emerson tries to clinch but Van Gaal moves out of range.
Emerson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Emerson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Van Gaal throwing a counter right hand but Emerson manages to avoid it.
Emerson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Emerson clinches with his opponent.
Emerson lands with a left to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Van Gaal blocking some punches.
Van Gaal is trying to break the clinch but Emerson is controlling him.
A body shot lands from Emerson.
Van Gaal tries to break the clinch but Emerson is controlling the position.
Emerson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Van Gaal backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chester Emerson dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Van Gaal tries to keep at a distance but Emerson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Emerson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Emerson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Van Gaal's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Emerson fails with an attempt to clinch.

Emerson closes the distance and pushes Van Gaal back into the cage.
Emerson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Emerson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Emerson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Emerson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Van Gaal's efforts to push away.
Emerson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Van Gaal's efforts to push away.
Emerson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emerson prevents Van Gaal from breaking the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Emerson fails to land.
Van Gaal looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A frustrated look appears on Van Gaal's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Van Gaal breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Van Gaal tries to keep at a distance but Emerson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Van Gaal has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Emerson lands an uppercut.
Van Gaal blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Emerson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Van Gaal is trying to push Emerson away but Emerson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Van Gaal tries to break the clinch but Emerson is controlling the position.
Emerson has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Van Gaal seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Emerson can turn it around.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Gaal has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Emerson is stalling here.
Emerson's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
A nice right hand lands inside from Emerson.
Emerson throws a head punch that misses.

Van Gaal breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Emerson tries to clinch up.
Emerson tries to close the distance and clinch but Van Gaal swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Emerson rushes Van Gaal and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Emerson misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Gaal working hard to break the clinch.
Van Gaal wants to get back to striking at distance but Emerson won't allow it.
Van Gaal tries to circle away but Emerson has him pinned against the cage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
A nice left hand lands by Emerson.
Emerson is working Van Gaal over against the cage.
Emerson prevents Van Gaal from breaking the clinch.

Van Gaal pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Van Gaal lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Chester Emerson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Emerson takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Emerson clinches with his opponent.
Emerson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Emerson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Van Gaal is trying to break the clinch but Emerson is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Gaal is trying to push Emerson away but Emerson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Emerson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Emerson pressing his opponent against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Van Gaal is looking to break free of the clinch but Emerson has double underhooks.
Emerson misses with a punch to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Emerson.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Emerson throws a punch but it's blocked by Van Gaal.
A head punch on the inside from Emerson fails to land.
A frustrated look appears on Van Gaal's face as he tries to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chester Emerson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Emerson has managed to clinch.
Van Gaal tries to break the clinch but Emerson is controlling the position.
Emerson prevents Van Gaal from breaking the clinch.
Van Gaal's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Emerson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Van Gaal is trying to force a seperation but Emerson has the dominant position.
Van Gaal can't break the clinch.
Emerson prevents Van Gaal from breaking the clinch.
Emerson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The referee is keeping an eye on Emerson - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Emerson avoiding damage.
Van Gaal wants to get back to striking at distance but Emerson won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Gaal wants to break the clinch but can't.
Van Gaal wants to get back to striking at distance but Emerson won't allow it.
Van Gaal looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Emerson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Van Gaal backwards.
Emerson lands with a left to the head.
Van Gaal tries to break free but Emerson pushes him back against the cage.
Van Gaal is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Emerson misses with the head strike.
Emerson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Van Gaal wants to break the clinch but can't.
Emerson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short uppercut from Emerson.
Van Gaal is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Van Gaal is trying to push Emerson away but Emerson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Van Gaal's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Van Gaal wants to get back to striking at distance but Emerson won't allow it.
Emerson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Van Gaal's efforts to push away.
Emerson has Van Gaal pressed against the cage, preventing Van Gaal from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Emerson pushes Van Gaal back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Van Gaal is trying to push Emerson away but Emerson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Emerson throws a head punch that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Emerson.

Van Gaal's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cholo Van Gaal is winning the standup battle so far.
Emerson tries to clinch up
and Van Gaal counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Gaal misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Van Gaal avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Emerson is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Van Gaal.

Emerson moves into the clinch.
Emerson lands a hook to the side of the head.
Van Gaal is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Emerson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Van Gaal blocking some punches.
The referee calls for Emerson to work.
Van Gaal wants to get back to striking at distance but Emerson won't allow it.
A short right from Emerson on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Gaal wants to get back to striking at distance but Emerson won't allow it.
Emerson lands a shoulder strike.
Van Gaal wants to break the clinch but can't.
Emerson keeps control of Van Gaal as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Emerson lands an uppercut.
Chester Emerson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Emerson keeps control of Van Gaal as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Emerson lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A short right from Emerson.
Van Gaal wants to break the clinch but can't.
Van Gaal is trying to break the clinch but Emerson has him pressed against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Van Gaal is trying to break the clinch but Emerson is controlling him.
Emerson lands with a short shot to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Van Gaal.
Emerson working aggressively here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chester Emerson really dominated that round.
That's time! Van Gaal's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Emerson pushes Van Gaal up against the cage in a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Van Gaal's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Emerson pushes Van Gaal back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Van Gaal working hard to break the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Emerson.
Van Gaal is trying to break the clinch but Emerson is controlling him.
Emerson has Van Gaal pressed against the cage, preventing Van Gaal from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Emerson is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Emerson lands with a light punch inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Van Gaal is trying to force a seperation but Emerson has the dominant position.
Van Gaal is trying to break the clinch but Emerson is controlling him.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Emerson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Van Gaal's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The fight stays on the outside here - Emerson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Emerson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Van Gaal swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Emerson tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Van Gaal counters with a right hand to the body.

Emerson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Emerson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Van Gaal.
A frustrated look appears on Van Gaal's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Gaal has had enough of the clinch but Emerson keeps him there for the moment.
Van Gaal wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Emerson has him pressed against the cage.
Van Gaal wants to get back to striking at distance but Emerson won't allow it.
Van Gaal tries to circle away but Emerson has him pinned against the cage.
Van Gaal blocking some punches.
Emerson tries a body shot but Van Gaal blocks it.
A nice left hand lands by Emerson.
Van Gaal working hard to break the clinch.
Emerson misses with the head strike.
Van Gaal tries to break the clinch but Emerson is controlling the position.
Emerson misses with a hook from the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A frustrated look appears on Van Gaal's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emerson prevents Van Gaal from breaking the clinch.
Emerson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Van Gaal backwards.
Emerson misses with a punch on the inside.
Emerson has Van Gaal pressed against the cage, preventing Van Gaal from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Nice body punch from Emerson - that landed with a thud.
Emerson is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Van Gaal manages to break the clinch.
Van Gaal lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Van Gaal bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Emerson's head.
Emerson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Emerson moves into the clinch.
Emerson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Emerson throws a punch but it's blocked by Van Gaal.
Van Gaal is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Emerson.
Van Gaal tries to break the clinch but Emerson is controlling the position.
Van Gaal wants to break free but Emerson has control.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Emerson.
Van Gaal working hard to break the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Emerson fails to land.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A head punch on the inside from Emerson fails to land.
Emerson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Van Gaal backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Van Gaal wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chester Emerson dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Emerson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Van Gaal manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Van Gaal misses with a few strikes there.
Van Gaal scores with a jab to the body.

Emerson moves into the clinch.
Van Gaal is looking to break free of the clinch but Emerson has double underhooks.
Emerson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Van Gaal tries to break free but Emerson pushes him back against the cage.
Emerson is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Van Gaal wants to break free but Emerson has control.
Van Gaal is trying to break free.
Van Gaal tries to circle away but Emerson has him pinned against the cage.
Emerson scores with a shoulder strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emerson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Emerson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Van Gaal is looking to break free of the clinch but Emerson has double underhooks.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Van Gaal.
Van Gaal has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Van Gaal looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A frustrated look appears on Van Gaal's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Van Gaal has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Emerson throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Van Gaals head.
Van Gaal is trying to break the clinch but Emerson has him pressed against the cage.
Emerson tries to throw a body punch but Van Gaal avoids it by throwing Emerson back against the cage.
Emerson just leaning against Van Gaal, taking a breather.
Emerson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emerson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Van Gaal tries to break free but Emerson pushes him back against the cage.
Van Gaal wants to break free but Emerson has control.
Van Gaal is trying to break free.
The referee calls for Emerson to work.
Van Gaal can't break the clinch.
Van Gaal wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Van Gaal blocking some punches.
Van Gaal wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A head punch on the inside from Emerson fails to land.
Emerson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Van Gaal backwards.
Emerson swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Gaal wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A shot in the inside from Emerson.
Van Gaal looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Van Gaal is trying to break the clinch but Emerson is controlling him.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Emerson.
Emerson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Van Gaal's efforts to push away.
Van Gaal tries to break the clinch but Emerson is controlling the position.
Emerson just leaning against Van Gaal, taking a breather.
Emerson has Van Gaal pressed against the cage, preventing Van Gaal from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Emerson throws a punch but it's blocked by Van Gaal.
Emerson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Van Gaal backwards.
Emerson working aggressively here.
Emerson lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Van Gaal backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Gaal tries to break the clinch but Emerson is controlling the position.
Emerson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Emerson manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Chester Emerson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Emerson lands a body shot.
Van Gaal is looking to break free of the clinch but Emerson has double underhooks.
Emerson has Van Gaal pressed against the cage, preventing Van Gaal from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Emerson lands a body punch in the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Emerson lands a body shot in the clinch.
Van Gaal wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Emerson has him pressed against the cage.
Cholo Van Gaal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Van Gaal misses with a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chester Emerson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Emerson 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 45:50
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 45:50
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chester Emerson!
Chester Emerson is the new lightweight champion!
Chester Emerson very nearly forgot to thank GREEN!160 amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.