PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Maarten Bokhorst (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Samuel Washington (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bokhorst comes to the cage accompanied by Lil Wayne - Drop The World ft. Eminem . Washington has chosen TNT as his entrance music. Samuel Washington is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Bokhorst
vs
Washington

168 cm
29
144 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

169 cm
37
145 lbs
30 - 19 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Maarten Bokhorst!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 19 - 2, fighting out of New York, Samuel Washington!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Steve Montenegro and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bokhorst looks to land a left hand but Washington moved out of range nicely.
It seemed like Washington was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Washington slips under a jab.
Washington slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Washington wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Washington connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Washington is looking to land body kicks.
Washington stuffs the takedown attempt from Bokhorst. Bokhorst gets slowly back to his feet.
Bokhorst swings away with a body shot that misses
and Washington connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Washington throws a leg kick which misses Bokhorst's front leg but catches the back leg as Bokhorst tries to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Washington ducks under a wild hook from Bokhorst.
Washington looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Bokhorst looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A good leg kick by Washington.
Washington stuffs the takedown attempt from Bokhorst. Bokhorst gets slowly back to his feet.
A punch lands to the side of Washington 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Washington tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Bokhorst manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Washington misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bokhorst.
Bokhorst takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Bokhorst throws a head kick that misses.
A low kick from Bokhorst misses

and Washington counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Bokhorst!
Bokhorst is trying to improve his position.
Washington scoring with punches and elbows.
Bokhorst is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Washington off and has taken his back!
Washington looking very determined here, making life difficult for Bokhorst.
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!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Washington's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Bokhorst is controlling the position but Washington somehow manages to roll and ends up with half guard.
Bokhorst is trying to control. Washington wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Washington is looking for a sweep. Bokhorst is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Washington slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Bokhorst engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Bokhorst pushing down on Washington's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bokhorst is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Bokhorst thows a huge punch but Washington dodges it nicely.

Washington kicks Bokhorst off and gets back to his feet.
Bokhorst dives in and grabs Washington's left leg, looking for a takedown. Washington pushes down on Bokhorst's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maarten Bokhorst. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bokhorst throws a big shot that misses.
A little jabbing left from Washington on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Washington checks a leg kick.
Nice sprawl there from Washington as Bokhorst shoots in.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bokhorst takes one to the chin there.
Bokhorst lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Bokhorst throws a jab but it's blocked by Washington.
Washington throws a series of punches but Bokhorst moves out of range.
Maarten Bokhorst seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bokhorst tries to score with a low kick but Washington moves his leg out of the way.
Washington slips under a jab from Bokhorst.
Bokhorst lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bokhorst takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Bokhorst fails with a takedown attempt.
Bokhorst misses with the body kick

and Washington counters with a nice double leg into side control. Bokhorst won't be happy with that.
Bokhorst is looking for a sweep.
Washington working the head with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samuel Washington dominated that round.
That's time! Bokhorst's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Washington scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Washington.
Bokhorst ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
As Washington looks to move away, Bokhorst throws a big counter combo but Washington just gets out of the way.
Bokhorst misses with a body shot.
Bokhorst is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Washington.
Washington thuds his right hand into Bokhorst's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A head kick from Washington lands but Bokhorst takes it in his stride.
Washington has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Washington slips under a jab from Bokhorst.
Washington checks a low kick from Bokhorst.
Nice sprawl there from Washington as Bokhorst shoots in.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bokhorst looks to land a left hand but Washington moved out of range nicely.
Washington throws a head kick that misses.
Washington tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bokhorst was well out of range. Poor timing from Washington.
Washington throws a body punch but Bokhorst moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Washington clinches with his opponent.
Bokhorst swings wildly with an uppercut but Washington uses good head movement to avoid it.
Washington makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Washington fails to land.
Bokhorst is trying to stall.
Bokhorst throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Washingtons head.
Bokhorst scores with a nice hook to the head.
Washington dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Washington lands a shot to the body.
Still in the clinch, Washington scores with a nice short uppercut.
Washington gets through Bokhorst's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Bokhorst misses with some punches.
Washington lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Washington trying to stall but Bokhorst improves his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bokhorst softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
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!
Washington misses with the head strike.
Washington avoiding damage.
Washington tries to work over Bokhorst's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch on the inside from Washington fails to land.
Bokhorst lands a hook to the side of the head.
Washington has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Bokhorst avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Bokhorst has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Washington uses from the top position.
Bokhorst looking for a sweep. Not yet Bokhorst, not yet.
Washington cracks Bokhorst with a solid left hand.
Washington trying to control but Bokhorst is working from the bottom.
Samuel Washington has got the better of the ground game so far.
Washington tries to free his leg and advance position but Bokhorst is retaining full guard.
Bokhorst can't keep his opponent in guard - Washington advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Bokhorst is refusing to be controlled, as Washington sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bokhorst is pressing down on Washington's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Washington pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bokhorst is keeping the position for now.
Bokhorst 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.
Bokhorst trying to control the position.
Washington won't allow Bokhorst to sweep him here.

Bokhorst working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Washington doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Washington manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Washington scoring with some ground and pound.
Washington with a nice head shot there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Washington stopping the sweep attempt from Bokhorst.

Bokhorst working for a triangle but Washington defends it easily.
Washington pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bokhorst is keeping the position for now.
Washington lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Washington scoring with some ground and pound.

Bokhorst had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Washington defends it easily.
Bokhorst trying to keep a closed guard but Washington is proving a slippery customer.
Washington is in close to Bokhorst's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Bokhorst wants to sweep but no luck.
Washington wants to control from the top but Bokhorst keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samuel Washington showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Bokhorst falls off balance throwing a combination
and Bokhorst takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bokhorst thows a left - swing and a miss!
Washington displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bokhorst throws out the jab.
Washington misses with a head kick.
Bokhorst thows a leg kick but Washington checks it
and Washington makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Bokhorst loads up on a big right hand but Washington slips the punch.
Washington shapes to counter with a head kick.
That kick from Washington tenderised Bokhorst's leg. Bokhorst is trying to keep his angry face on.
Bokhorst takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bokhorst tries to score with a low kick but Washington moves his leg out of the way.
Bokhorst throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Washington counters with a nice uppercut.
Bokhorst misses with a looping left.
Washington scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Bokhorst tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Washington blocks a jab.
An inside leg kick lands from Washington.
Bokhorst throws a leg kick but Washington checks it.
Bokhorst is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Washington looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Bokhorst fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Washington dips to his left and cracks Bokhorst with an uppercut!

Washington gets caught napping as Bokhorst dives in and scores a takedown. Washington manages to retain guard.
Bokhorst won't allow Washington to get back to his feet.
Bokhorst trying to control but Washington is working from the bottom.
Bokhorst is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Washington is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Washington is trying to control the position but Bokhorst postures up.
Bokhorst stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Washington swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Washington is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Washington is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Bokhorst 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.
Washington looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Bokhorst misses with a looping right.
Bokhorst throws out a leg kick but Washington moves out of range and Bokhorst only half commits.
A little jabbing left from Washington on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Bokhorst throws a body shot but no joy.
Bokhorst's corner calls for a 1-2. Bokhorst obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Washington tries a low kick but Bokhorst avoids it.
Washington uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Bokhorst shoots in looking for a takedown. Washington tries to sprawl out of it but Bokhorst keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Washington manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Washington takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Bokhorst connects with the punch.
Bokhorst tries to work over Washington's front leg with a kick but Washington checks it.
Washington now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Washington fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Bokhorst has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Washington ducks under a wild hook from Bokhorst.
Washington thinks about the counter body kick.
Bokhorst misses with a left hand
and Washington counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bokhorst throws a shot from downtown. Washington moves away and avoids it.
Washington throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Bokhorst stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Washington throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bokhorst misses with a looping left.

Bokhorst moves into range and clinches up with Washington.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bokhorst.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bokhorst softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Bokhorst gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Washington keeping moving, preventing Bokhorst from controlling successfully.
Washington has his hands on Bokhorst's head, controlling the position.
Let's hope that Washington has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

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 Maarten Bokhorst.
Well Washington has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:29
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Samuel Washington!
Samuel Washington seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.