PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nicholas VanZutphen (ranked 4454 p4p, 0 weight class) and Karl Van Der Merwe (ranked 3341 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

VanZutphen
vs
Van Der Merwe

195 cm
25
225 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

187 cm
25
235 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nicholas VanZutphen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Karl Van Der Merwe!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Paul Aken and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Van Der Merwe shoots in for a takedown but VanZutphen shows good takedown defense.
VanZutphen moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Karl Van Der Merwe has been cut.
VanZutphen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Van Der Merwe drops down looking to force a counter takedown but VanZutphen defends it well.
No joy there for VanZutphen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Van Der Merwe closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into VanZutphen's guard.
Van Der Merwe pushes down on VanZutphen's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Van Der Merwe lands a nice short elbow.
Van Der Merwe trying to pass the guard but VanZutphen defending well.
Van Der Merwe takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
VanZutphen is trying to get back to full guard.
VanZutphen is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Van Der Merwe scores with a couple of nice shots.
Van Der Merwe lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Van Der Merwe takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Der Merwe working over VanZutphen with some ground and pound. VanZutphen looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
VanZutphen knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Van Der Merwe on the ground.
VanZutphen won't allow Van Der Merwe to pass to mount.
Van Der Merwe working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Ground and pound from Van Der Merwe.

VanZutphen is rocked!
VanZutphen is breathing heavily.
Van Der Merwe lands a massive shot from half guard that has rocked VanZutphen! More strikes land and this one is all over! Van Der Merwe jumps to his feet and is applauded loudly by the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:36 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Karl Van Der Merwe!
Karl Van Der Merwe thanked the fans post fight for their support.
The defeated Nicholas VanZutphen had this to say: 'Hell of a fight....hell of a fight'.