PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Marsdon Van Der Star (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ronnie Hepple (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Van Der Star
vs
Hepple

184 cm
25
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
18
181 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big heart

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Marsdon Van Der Star!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Ronnie Hepple!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Donald Grub and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Van Der Star lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Van Der Star dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hepple on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Hepple uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Van Der Star.
Van Der Star misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hepple.
Van Der Star just misses with a punch to the body.
Van Der Star missing with a left hand there. Hepple was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hepple throws a jab but it's blocked by Van Der Star.
Van Der Star takes a swing at Hepple's ribcage but misses.
Hepple throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hepple uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Van Der Star.
Hepple takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Van Der Star throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Van Der Star throws a body punch but Hepple moves out of range.
Van Der Star ducks under a wild hook from Hepple.
Van Der Star was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Hepple throws out a loose jab but Van Der Star uses good head movement to avoid it.
Van Der Star is looking to wear down Hepple with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

Hepple moves into the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hepple swings wildly with an uppercut but Van Der Star uses good head movement to avoid it.
Van Der Star is trying to maintain a safe position but Hepple gets an underhook and turns Van Der Star into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hepple scores with a shoulder strike.
Hepple digs a right hand into Van Der Star's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Van Der Star's gas tank.
Hepple fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Van Der Star is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Hepple is keeping busy.
A head punch on the inside from Hepple fails to land.
Hepple struggles to land a body shot inside as Van Der Star controls his hands.
Hepple misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hepple scores with a hook to the body.
Hepple is working Van Der Star over against the cage.
Van Der Star is breathing heavily.
Van Der Star blocks an uppercut.
Hepple makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hepple throws a punch but it's blocked by Van Der Star.
Hepple misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Hepple.
Hepple fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hepple misses with a short punch on the inside.
Van Der Star's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Hepple misses with a body punch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hepple as Van Der Star tries to tie him up.
Van Der Star blocks an uppercut.
Hepple tries a body shot but Van Der Star blocks it.
Hepple lands a left hand.
Hepple misses with a body punch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Van Der Star blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hepple tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short left from Hepple.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hepple lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hepple lands with a light punch inside.
Hepple tries to throw a body punch but Van Der Star avoids it by throwing Hepple back against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Hepple.
Hepple scores with a shot to the side of Van Der Star's head.
Hepple tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Van Der Star's elbow.
Hepple misses with a hook from the clinch.
Van Der Star blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hepple softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hepple swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short uppercut from Hepple.
Hepple pushes Van Der Star back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hepple lands with a light punch inside.
Hepple doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hepple.
Van Der Star blocking some punches.
Hepple lands a shoulder strike.
Van Der Star wants to stall.
Van Der Star looking to slow down the pace here.
Van Der Star can't seem to implement his control oriented gameplan at the moment. That's no bad thing of course, for those of us who want to see a good fight.
Van Der Star swings wildly with an uppercut but Hepple uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hepple misses with the head strike.
Hepple blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Hepple scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hepple misses with the head strike.
Hepple swings wildly with an uppercut but Van Der Star uses good head movement to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ronnie Hepple dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hepple lands with a right hand.
Van Der Star just misses with a punch to the body.
Van Der Star misses with a wild body shot.
Hepple doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Van Der Star misses with a wild body shot.
Hepple throws a head kick that misses.

Hepple has managed to clinch.
Hepple lands a left hand.
Hepple throws a head punch that misses.
Hepple tries a body shot but Van Der Star blocks it.
Hepple misses with the head strike.
Hepple lands with a right to the head.
Hepple has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hepple swings wildly with an uppercut but Van Der Star uses good head movement to avoid it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hepple.
Hepple misses with a punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hepple doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Van Der Star tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hepple lands with a right to the head.
Hepple tries to work over Van Der Star's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Van Der Star is trying to maintain a safe position but Hepple gets an underhook and turns Van Der Star into the cage.
A short left from Hepple.
Hepple scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A left hand lands to the body for Hepple.
Hepple lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hepple softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Van Der Star working Hepple over with knees to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hepple.
Ronnie Hepple seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Hepple fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Van Der Star is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Star is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Hepple works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Hepple working aggressively here.
Hepple can't find room to land a body shot as Van Der Star controls the action.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Van Der Star.
Hepple doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hepple misses with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Van Der Star prevents a body shot from Hepple.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hepple as Van Der Star tries to tie him up.
Van Der Star is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Hepple is keeping busy.
Hepple misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hepple misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hepple lands a body shot.
Van Der Star wants to stall.
Hepple lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hepple.
Hepple stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Van Der Star is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hepple.
Van Der Star taking a breather.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hepple.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hepple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hepple throws a head punch that misses.
Hepple fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Van Der Star blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Van Der Star blocks an uppercut.
Hepple swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hepple swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hepple misses with some punches.
Hepple fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hepple has a couple of punches blocked by Van Der Star.
Hepple can't find room to land a body shot as Van Der Star controls the action.
Van Der Star blocking some punches.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Hepple misses with a punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ronnie Hepple 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! This is the final round!

Hepple uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Van Der Star.
It seemed like Hepple was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Van Der Star scores with a crisp jab that stopped Hepple in his tracks.
Van Der Star wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Van Der Star sizes up Hepple with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Van Der Star scores with a leg kick.
Hepple throws a hook to the side of Van Der Star's head but Van Der Star sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A big left from Van Der Star misses.
Hepple throws a looping overhand right but Van Der Star ducks down to avoid it.
A punch lands to the side of Hepple 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Van Der Star lands a glancing blow to the side of Hepple's head.
Van Der Star looks to score with a jab to the body but Hepple is just out of range.
Van Der Star tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hepple was well out of range. Poor timing from Van Der Star.
Van Der Star misses with a wild body shot.
Hepple looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Van Der Star slips a straight right by Hepple.
Hepple misses with an uppercut.
Van Der Star misses with a body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Van Der Star throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hepple swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Hepple throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Marsdon Van Der Star seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Der Star throws a body shot but no joy.
A jab from Van Der Star misses.
Hepple swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Van Der Star paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Hepple looks to throw the jab but Van Der Star is out of range.
Van Der Star uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hepple.
Van Der Star moves forwards but Hepple connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Hepple waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Van Der Star.
Marsdon Van Der Star is winning the standup battle so far.
Hepple takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Hepple takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Van Der Star cracks Hepple with a right hand to the side of the head.
Hepple misses with a hook.
Van Der Star misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Hepple counters with a stiff right hand.
Van Der Star throws out a powerful jab.
Van Der Star thuds a left hand into Hepple's body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Van Der Star drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Van Der Star missing with a left hand there. Hepple was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Van Der Star lands a right hook to the body.
Van Der Star fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hepple looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Star looks to score with a jab to the body but Hepple is just out of range.
Van Der Star scores with a hook to the body. Hepple takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Hepple tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Van Der Star manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Van Der Star swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hepple might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Van Der Star throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Hepple has taken the fight to the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Hepple fails to land.
Hepple tries to throw a body punch but Van Der Star avoids it by throwing Hepple back against the cage.
Hepple lands with a right to the head.
Marsdon Van Der Star has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hepple misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Van Der Star trying to control the position but instead, Hepple has worked for underhooks and has pushed Van Der Star into the cage.
Hepple misses with some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hepple gets through Van Der Star's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hepple fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hepple doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hepple lands a nice uppercut.
Hepple misses with the head strike.
Hepple throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Van Der Stars head.
Hepple can't find room to land a body shot as Van Der Star controls the action.
Van Der Star blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Van Der Star stalling in the clinch but Hepple improves position.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hepple.
Ronnie Hepple is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Van Der Star misses with a punch to the body.
Still in the clinch, Hepple scores with a nice short uppercut.
Van Der Star looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hepple.
Hepple misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Hepple fails to land.
Hepple misses with the head strike.
Hepple can't find room to land a body shot as Van Der Star controls the action.
Van Der Star is stalling here.
Van Der Star displaying some good clinch control by pressing Hepple up against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hepple.

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 Marsdon Van Der Star.
I think Hepple 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ronnie Hepple!