PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Datu Bahktayn (ranked 24854 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jean Van Damme (ranked 24792 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bahktayn
vs
Van Damme

183 cm
18
200 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

183 cm
18
200 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Datu Bahktayn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jean Van Damme!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Alan Glass and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.

Van Damme has managed to clinch.
Bahktayn tries to throw a body punch but Van Damme avoids it by throwing Bahktayn back against the cage.
Bahktayn misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bahktayn tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Van Damme's elbow.
Van Damme misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bahktayn tries to work over Van Damme's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bahktayn misses with a hook to the ribs.
Van Damme doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bahktayn goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bahktayn tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Van Damme's elbow.
Bahktayn tries to land knees in the clinch but Van Damme avoids the damage to the body.
Bahktayn drops down looking for an ankle pick but Van Damme pulls his leg out and moves away.

Van Damme moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Bahktayn misses with a body punch.
Bahktayn doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Van Damme misses with a punch to the body.
Bahktayn tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Van Damme wants a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bahktayn lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Van Damme or not.
Van Damme prevents a body shot from Bahktayn.
Van Damme tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bahktayn's elbow.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Bahktayn.
Van Damme misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bahktayn can't find room to land a body shot as Van Damme controls the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Bahktayn prevents the takedown attempt.
Bahktayn wants a takedown but no success here.
Van Damme tries a body shot but Bahktayn blocks it.
Van Damme tries to work over Bahktayn's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Bahktayn has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Van Damme after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Datu Bahktayn. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Van Damme on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
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 Datu Bahktayn will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Van Damme doesn't manage to clinch there - Bahktayn circles away.
It looked like Bahktayn was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Van Damme.
Bahktayn lands a right hook to the body.

Bahktayn shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Van Damme trying to control from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bahktayn decides to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Damme wants to clinch up but Bahktayn keeps it at a distance.
Bahktayn was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Bahktayn misses with a takedown attempt
and Van Damme counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Bahktayn shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Van Damme as he avoids it easily.
Van Damme appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

Van Damme gets a clinch.
Bahktayn misses with a short punch on the inside.
Bahktayn is stalling here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Damme lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bahktayn misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bahktayn prevents a body shot from Van Damme.
Van Damme changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Bahktayn fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Van Damme clinches with his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Damme tries to score a body lock takedown but Bahktayn shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Bahktayn lands an uppercut.
Van Damme is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Bahktayn misses with a short punch on the inside.
Jean Van Damme seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Damme tries to work over Bahktayn's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Van Damme has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Bahktayn avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Datu Bahktayn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jean Van Damme.
Bahktayn is struggling to control the position.
Van Damme looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Datu Bahktayn will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Bahktayn fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Van Damme moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Van Damme.
Bahktayn can't find room to land a body shot as Van Damme controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bahktayn tries to pull guard but Van Damme won't allow it.
Bahktayn blocks a body shot from Van Damme.
Bahktayn tries a body shot but Van Damme blocks it.
Van Damme lands a body shot in the clinch.
Bahktayn takes an elbow to the temple.

Bahktayn pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Van Damme closes the distance and clinches.
Bahktayn doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bahktayn goes for a takedown in the clinch but Van Damme prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Datu Bahktayn. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Van Damme misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Van Damme tries to throw a body punch but Bahktayn avoids it by throwing Van Damme back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bahktayn working hard to break the clinch.
Bahktayn tries to throw a body punch but Van Damme avoids it by throwing Bahktayn back against the cage.
Bahktayn misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Van Damme stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Van Damme misses with a body punch.
Van Damme struggles to land a body shot inside as Bahktayn controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Van Damme struggles to land a body shot inside as Bahktayn controls his hands.
Bahktayn can't find room to land a body shot as Van Damme controls the action.
Van Damme blocks a body shot from Bahktayn.
A right hand to the body from Bahktayn.
Jean Van Damme has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Datu Bahktayn is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bahktayn tries to work over Van Damme's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Van Damme tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jean Van Damme comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bahktayn 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Datu Bahktayn!