PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bas Dekkers (ranked 1790 p4p, 240 weight class) and Steve The Smiling Assassin (ranked 6078 p4p, 540 weight class). Steve The Smiling Assassin told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Dekkers
vs
The Smiling Assassin

167 cm
43
223 lbs
33 - 23 - 1

188 cm
41
215 lbs
16 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Powerful

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 33 - 23 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bas Dekkers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Steve The Smiling Assassin!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Robert Douchet and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dekkers swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Dekkers moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromThe Smiling Assassin.
We've been informed that The Smiling Assassin has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
The Smiling Assassin smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Dekkers throws a leg kick but The Smiling Assassin sees it coming and moves out of range.
Dekkers has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Cozad MMA Las Vegas in the buildup to the fight.
The Smiling Assassin lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
The Smiling Assassin looks to score with a jab to the body but Dekkers is just out of range.
Dekkers was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Dekkers stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Dekkers wants it to stay on the feet.
Dekkers takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Dekkers throws a leg kick that is checked

and The Smiling Assassin counters by moving into the clinch.
The Smiling Assassin lands an elbow just above Dekkers 's eye.

It looks like Bas Dekkers has been cut.
The Smiling Assassin working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Dekkers tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and The Smiling Assassin avoids it.
Dekkers avoids a wild elbow strike from The Smiling Assassin.
The Smiling Assassin lands a left hand that snaps the head of Dekkers backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dekkers tries to circle away but The Smiling Assassin has him pinned against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
The Smiling Assassin tries to work over Dekkers's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Smiling Assassin takes an elbow to the forehead.

Dekkers breaks from the clinch.
The Smiling Assassin ducks under a wild hook from Dekkers.
The Smiling Assassin looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Dekkers swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and The Smiling Assassin makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Dekkers really felt that one!
The Smiling Assassin throws a jab but it's blocked by Dekkers.
It looked like Dekkers was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
The Smiling Assassin swings for the body but Dekkers moves out of range.
Dekkers bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Dekkers throws an ugly left hook that misses
and The Smiling Assassin counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Dekkers lands a nice looking kick to the body. The Smiling Assassin takes a step back to recover.
The Smiling Assassin uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Dekkers.
The Smiling Assassin feints the counter takedown.

The Smiling Assassin closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - The Smiling Assassin lands in his opponent's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The Smiling Assassin trying to control the position from guard on top but Dekkers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Smiling Assassin postures up in Dekkers's guard and throws a big left but Dekkers blocks it.
The Smiling Assassin wants to control from the top but Dekkers keeps moving.
The Smiling Assassin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Dekkers avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The Smiling Assassin is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The Smiling Assassin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The Smiling Assassin trying to control the position from guard on top but Dekkers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
The Smiling Assassin throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Dekkers stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Bas Dekkers seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The Smiling Assassin shoots in and gets a takedown into Dekkers's guard.
The Smiling Assassin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The Smiling Assassin wants to control from the top but Dekkers keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as The Smiling Assassin accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Dekkers is looking to stand back up but The Smiling Assassin counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Dekkers.
The Smiling Assassin throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Dekkers is looking to get back to is feet but The Smiling Assassin passes into side control.
The Smiling Assassin in side control, throwing shots but Dekkers defends.
The Smiling Assassin misses with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Smiling Assassin lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
The Smiling Assassin working the ground and pound.
A lull in the action here as The Smiling Assassin stalls from top position.
Dekkers is working to avoid the ground and pound but The Smiling Assassin connects with a decent elbow.
The Smiling Assassin in side control, throwing shots but Dekkers defends.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dekkers is pushing The Smiling Assassin's head away, looking to escape. The Smiling Assassin manages to hold on to the position though.
The Smiling Assassin working the strikes but Dekkers uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
The Smiling Assassin with the ground and pound but Dekkers uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Dekkers preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve The Smiling Assassin dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bas Dekkers's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Dekkers swings widly with a right hand
and The Smiling Assassin counters with a right hand to the body.
A combination from The Smiling Assassin does no damage.
Dekkers connects with an inside leg kick.
The Smiling Assassin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

The Smiling Assassin shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Dekkers's guard.
Dekkers is looking to stand up but The Smiling Assassin isn't so interested in that idea.
The Smiling Assassin is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The Smiling Assassin postures up in Dekkers's guard and throws a big left but Dekkers blocks it.
The Smiling Assassin has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The Smiling Assassin throws a big right hand that misses.
The Smiling Assassin is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The Smiling Assassin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Smiling Assassin throws an elbow that misses. Dekkers uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in The Smiling Assassin's guard. Nice move by Dekkers!

The Smiling Assassin is pulling down on Dekkers's head. It's preventing any offense from Dekkers, at least for the moment.
Dekkers might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The Smiling Assassin looking to control.
Dekkers won't allow The Smiling Assassin to sweep him here.
The Smiling Assassin has his hands on Dekkers's head, controlling the position.
Dekkers would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
A jab from Dekkers does it's job there.
The Smiling Assassin tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Dekkers manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Dekkers catches The Smiling Assassin with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Dekkers throws a leg kick but The Smiling Assassin sees it coming and checks it nicely.
The Smiling Assassin tries to counter by closing the distance.
The Smiling Assassin moves out of range as Dekkers strikes.
The Smiling Assassin is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Dekkers rather than just go for the knockout.
The Smiling Assassin throws a lazy right hand but Dekkers sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Dekkers digs a good body shot into The Smiling Assassin's ribs.
A head kick by The Smiling Assassin misses
and Dekkers counters with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Smiling Assassin checks a leg kick nicely.
The Smiling Assassin looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
The Smiling Assassin swings widly with a right hand
and Dekkers cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Dekkers tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but The Smiling Assassin was well out of range. Poor timing from Dekkers.
The Smiling Assassin wants to counter the offense by Dekkers and move into the clinch position.
The Smiling Assassin moves away from the strike by Dekkers.
Dekkers throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Dekkers lands a nice shot that snaps The Smiling Assassin's head back.

The Smiling Assassin moves into the clinch successfully.
Dekkers blocks the elbow strike.
Dekkers taking a breather.
The Smiling Assassin looks to throw an elbow but misses.
The Smiling Assassin struggles to land a body shot inside as Dekkers controls his hands.

Dekkers's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Dekkers cracks the inside of The Smiling Assassin's front leg.
Dekkers misses with a wild body shot.
The Smiling Assassin throws a body punch but Dekkers moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Smiling Assassin works Dekkers's body with a nice hook.
A looping hook to the body misses from The Smiling Assassin. Dekkers does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dekkers throwing a counter right hand but The Smiling Assassin manages to avoid it.
Dekkers is looking to chop away at The Smiling Assassin's legs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dekkers tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

The Smiling Assassin feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The Smiling Assassin throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Dekkers works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Steve The Smiling Assassin has got the better of the ground game so far.
The Smiling Assassin is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The Smiling Assassin landing some decent shots from guard.
The Smiling Assassin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The Smiling Assassin slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bas Dekkers dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Bas Dekkers's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

The Smiling Assassin takes a swing at Dekkers's ribcage but misses.
Nice uppercut lands for The Smiling Assassin. That snapped Dekkers's head back.
Dekkers throws a right hand that The Smiling Assassin ducks under and follows up with a left that The Smiling Assassin also avoids with ease.
A combination from The Smiling Assassin does no damage.
The Smiling Assassin swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Dekkers counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Dekkers misses with a body shot.
Dekkers ducks down and throws a hook to the body but The Smiling Assassin moves away.
The Smiling Assassin now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
A big left from Dekkers misses.
The Smiling Assassin looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Dekkers scores with a three punch combo!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The Smiling Assassin throws a half hearted mid kick.
The Smiling Assassin throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Dekkers on the side of the head.
The Smiling Assassin misses with a head kick.
Dekkers just misses with a punch to the body.
Dekkers keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dekkers throws a lazy uppercut
and The Smiling Assassin counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Dekkers throws a chopping leg kick but The Smiling Assassin manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Dekkers throws a low kick but The Smiling Assassin moves out of range easily.
Dekkers swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Dekkers throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling The Smiling Assassin to counter with a crisp jab.

The Smiling Assassin closes the distance and clinches.
The Smiling Assassin misses with a shot to the kidneys.
The Smiling Assassin tries a body shot but Dekkers blocks it.
A right hand to the body from The Smiling Assassin.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The Smiling Assassin pushes off an throws an elbow but Dekkers leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
The Smiling Assassin cracks Dekkers with a nice body shot.
The Smiling Assassin lands an elbow that stopped Dekkers in his tracks for a moment.
The Smiling Assassin lands an elbow inside.
The Smiling Assassin softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
The Smiling Assassin creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Dekkers's defenses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dekkers lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
With the fighters up against the cage, The Smiling Assassin throws an elbow but misses.
The Smiling Assassin throws an elbow but it misses.
The Smiling Assassin scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A head punch on the inside from The Smiling Assassin fails to land.
The Smiling Assassin lands an elbow inside.
Dekkers is trying to stall.
The Smiling Assassin throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Steve The Smiling Assassin seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Dekkers obliges.
The Smiling Assassin misses with a hook to the ribs.
The Smiling Assassin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The Smiling Assassin lands a body shot.
Dekkers connects with a nasty looking knee right to The Smiling Assassin's face.
Dekkers takes an elbow to the temple.
The Smiling Assassin has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
The Smiling Assassin comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Dekkers takes an elbow to the forehead.
Dekkers wants to get back to striking at distance but The Smiling Assassin won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dekkers tries to break the clinch but The Smiling Assassin is controlling the position.
The Smiling Assassin prevents Dekkers from breaking the clinch.

Dekkers breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The Smiling Assassin moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
The Smiling Assassin has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Dekkers.
The Smiling Assassin slips under a jab.
Bas Dekkers is winning the standup battle so far.
The Smiling Assassin checks a low kick from Dekkers.
The Smiling Assassin thinks about the counter body kick.
The Smiling Assassin scores with the left hand. Dekkers knows he should have avoided that one.
Nice body punch from The Smiling Assassin.
The Smiling Assassin avoids a kick to the body.
The Smiling Assassin throws out a counter right but Dekkers avoids it with no problem.
The Smiling Assassin lands with an overhand left.
Dekkers lands with a nice body kick.
The Smiling Assassin with a body punch. A glancing blow.

The Smiling Assassin is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Dekkers's half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dekkers is trying to stand up here but The Smiling Assassin is controlling him well.
The Smiling Assassin lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The Smiling Assassin takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The Smiling Assassin is trying to control. Dekkers wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Dekkers avoiding damage under a succession of punches from The Smiling Assassin.
The Smiling Assassin working over Dekkers with some ground and pound. Dekkers looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Dekkers tries to push off, looking to stand up, but The Smiling Assassin manages to move to mount!

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve The Smiling Assassin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think The Smiling Assassin 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve The Smiling Assassin!
Steve The Smiling Assassin was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.