AFC - Challenge 9 PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bonifacy Opornik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve van der Slam (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). van der Slam has chosen Biggest & the best - Clawfinger as his entrance music. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Opornik
vs
van der Slam

178 cm
18
131 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

165 cm
22
140 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Bonifacy Opornik!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Steve van der Slam!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Aafke Stam and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
van der Slam throws a sloppy head kick and Opornik moves out of range easily.
van der Slam misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
van der Slam throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice takedown defense from Opornik. No joy for van der Slam on that attempt.
van der Slam throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Opornik with a lazy takedown attempt
and van der Slam counters with a big head kick but Opornik shrugs it off.

van der Slam rushes Opornik and presses him up against the cage.
van der Slam tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
van der Slam gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Opornik.
van der Slam landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Opornik has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. van der Slam is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bonifacy Opornik. That's going to take a lot out of him.
van der Slam throws a knee to the head but misses.
Opornik has van der Slam pressed against the cage, preventing van der Slam from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Opornik takes a knee right on the jaw!
van der Slam throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
van der Slam utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
van der Slam with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

van der Slam jumps guard.
van der Slam wants to get back to his feet but Opornik is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Opornik lands a couple of digs.
Opornik has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
van der Slam 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.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if van der Slam can do anything to dispel that myth.
Opornik throwing strikes from guard but van der Slam blocks nicely.
Opornik wants to control from the top but van der Slam keeps moving.

Opornik thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Opornik is breathing heavily.

Opornik drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Opornik jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Opornik stops van der Slam from standing up.

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.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
van der Slam lands a nice looking kick to the body. Opornik takes a step back to recover.
van der Slam throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Opornik really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Opornik tries to keep at a distance but van der Slam has taken the fight into the clinch.
van der Slam scores a nice knee to the body.
Opornik has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. van der Slam avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
van der Slam unloads a knee to the mid-section.
van der Slam tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
van der Slam lands a nice knee to the body.
van der Slam tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. van der Slam obliges.
van der Slam landing knees to the head.
van der Slam tries to break the clinch but Opornik is controlling the position.
van der Slam connects with a nasty looking knee right to Opornik's face.
Opornik has van der Slam pressed against the cage, preventing van der Slam from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
van der Slam misses with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
van der Slam unloads a knee to the mid-section. Opornik lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
van der Slam is trying to break the clinch but Opornik has him pressed against the cage.
van der Slam lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Come on van der Slam - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
van der Slam wants a takedown but no success here.
Opornik tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. van der Slam smiles and moves away.

van der Slam shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Opornik's guard.

Opornik has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but van der Slam can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Opornik has a closed guard, preventing van der Slam from standing up.

Opornik working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. van der Slam doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. van der Slam manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
van der Slam working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
van der Slam throwing strikes but missing.
Opornik working a defensive guard here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as van der Slam accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

van der Slam avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

van der Slam rushes Opornik and presses him up against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
van der Slam throws a knee to the head but misses.
van der Slam tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
van der Slam landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

van der Slam escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve van der Slam dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Opornik shoots in for a takedown but van der Slam shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

van der Slam clinches.
van der Slam lands a knee to the head.
van der Slam just leaning against Opornik, taking a breather.
Opornik is looking for a takedown up against the cage. van der Slam gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

van der Slam manages to break the clinch.

van der Slam pushes Opornik up against the cage in a clinch.
van der Slam tries for a takedown but Opornik manages to get underhooks.
van der Slam scores with a knee to the head.
van der Slam lands a knee to the head.
van der Slam connects with a nasty looking knee right to Opornik's face.
van der Slam using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Opornik has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
van der Slam is leaning against Opornik and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

van der Slam breaks from the clinch.
Steve van der Slam seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
van der Slam misses with a series of wild punches.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
van der Slam lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Opornik avoids a punch combination nicely.
Opornik circles away from the clinch attempt.

van der Slam rushes Opornik and presses him up against the cage.
van der Slam is trying to break the clinch but Opornik is controlling him.

Opornik is trying to trip van der Slam. He has hold of a leg but van der Slam is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Opornik persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
van der Slam is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Opornik is controlling him.
Opornik trying to control the position from guard on top but van der Slam is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

van der Slam wriggles free and stands up.
Opornik dodges the punch combination from van der Slam.
van der Slam throws a nice head kick!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
van der Slam misses with a series of wild punches.
van der Slam throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Opornik's head.

Opornik tries to keep at a distance but van der Slam has taken the fight into the clinch.
van der Slam wants to get back to striking at distance but Opornik won't allow it.
van der Slam wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
van der Slam content to slow the pace in the clinch.
van der Slam using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Opornik has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
van der Slam wants to get back to striking at distance but Opornik won't allow it.
van der Slam has Opornik pressed against the cage.
van der Slam throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Opornik blocks it with crossed arms.
van der Slam with a knee to the head.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by van der Slam.
van der Slam throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Opornik blocks it with crossed arms.
van der Slam tries a knee to the head but Opornik blocks it.
Opornik drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bonifacy Opornik. That's going to take a lot out of him.
van der Slam throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Opornik blocks it with crossed arms.
van der Slam connects with a nasty looking knee right to Opornik's face.
Opornik keeps control of van der Slam as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
van der Slam tries to land a knee to the head but Opornik blocks with his arms.
Opornik is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
van der Slam scores with a nice hook to the head.
van der Slam has Opornik pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Opornik manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

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.
van der Slam wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Opornik has him pressed against the cage.
Opornik wants a takedown but no success here.

van der Slam pulls Opornik into guard.
van der Slam wants to get back to his feet but Opornik is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Opornik trying to control but van der Slam is working from the bottom.
van der Slam wants to sweep but no luck.
Opornik throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
van der Slam really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Opornik. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Opornik thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Opornik preventing the sweep.
Opornik will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
van der Slam is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
van der Slam lands a slapping body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve van der Slam showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

van der Slam pulls out of a head kick attempt.
van der Slam fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Opornik avoids it really well and circles away.
van der Slam misses with a head kick.
van der Slam is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
van der Slam is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
van der Slam tries to clinch but Opornik moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
van der Slam misses with a wild combination.
van der Slam throws a right hand that Opornik ducks under and follows up with a left that Opornik also avoids with ease.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
van der Slam throws a right hand that Opornik ducks under and follows up with a left that Opornik also avoids with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Opornik shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has van der Slam pinned against the cage. van der Slam gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
van der Slam tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Opornik paws at him with a jab and circles away.

van der Slam closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Opornik prevents van der Slam from breaking the clinch.
van der Slam with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Opornik can't get the takedown.
van der Slam tries to land a knee to the head but Opornik blocks with his arms.
Opornik wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bonifacy Opornik. That's going to take a lot out of him.
van der Slam lands a nice knee to the body.

van der Slam pulls guard effortlessly.
Opornik won't allow van der Slam to get back to his feet.

Opornik thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
van der Slam bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Opornik's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Opornik controls van der Slam momentarily but van der Slam frees himself.
van der Slam tries to free his leg and advance position but Opornik is retaining full guard.

Opornik working for a triangle but van der Slam defends it easily.
van der Slam is looking to stand up but Opornik won't let him.

Opornik has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think van der Slam should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Opornik has tightened it up now! van der Slam should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:54 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Bonifacy Opornik!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
56%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Movado Cage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paco Tabera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Cage
vs
Tabera

185 cm
19
235 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

195 cm
21
250 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite 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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Movado Cage!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Paco Tabera!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Daniel Blasius and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cage dives in and grabs Tabera's left leg, looking for a takedown. Tabera pushes down on Cage's head and hops out.
Tabera blocks a jab.
Movado Cage seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tabera punishes Cage's body with a nice straight punch.
Cage misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cage rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tabera moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tabera looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Cage fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cage tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cage rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tabera moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nice takedown defense from Cage. No joy for Tabera on that attempt.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Cage closes the distance and clinches.

Tabera breaks the clinch.

Cage shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Tabera tries to get to full guard but Cage has control of the leg.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Tabera kicks off Cage and gets to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tabera has taken the fight to the clinch.

Cage manages to break the clinch.
Tabera throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Cage misses with the combination.
Cage throws a combination. Tabera tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Tabera decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tabera perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Cage trying to control but Tabera postures up.
Cage is trying to stand up here but Tabera is controlling him well.
Tabera perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cage avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Tabera.
Tabera content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Tabera is trying to control the action in half guard but Cage is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cage is looking for a sweep. Tabera is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tabera tries to stand but can't do so whilst Cage controls his leg.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tabera is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Tabera wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cage keeps working.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Cage tries to clinch there but Tabera circles away.

Cage moves into the clinch.
Tabera is leaning against Cage and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Tabera breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cage feints and as Tabera raises his hands in defense, Cage changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Cage throwing strikes but missing.
Cage working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tabera is adopting a defensive guard.
Cage with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Cage's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cage accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Cage scoring with punches to the head and body.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cage accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
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 Movado Cage will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Tabera fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tabera scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Cage fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tabera looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A combination from Cage does no damage.
Cage loads up on a big right hand but Tabera slips the punch.
Cage throws out a loose jab but Tabera uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tabera dodges the punch combination from Cage.
Cage lands with a thumping leg kick.
Tabera throws a lazy right hand but Cage sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tabera looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Cage looks to land a combination but Tabera avoids it well.
Cage misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cage dodges the punch combination from Tabera.
Tabera misses with a looping left.
Movado Cage is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cage fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Tabera on the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cage falls off balance throwing a combination

and Tabera counters by clinching up.
Cage stops a takedown attempt from Tabera.

Tabera pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cage misses with a few strikes there.
Tabera moves out of range as Cage strikes.
Cage throws the left hand but Tabera avoids the punch easily.
Cage connects with a jab.
Tabera looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cage throws an overhand right that lands on Tabera's shoulder, as Tabera tries to avoid the shot.

Cage shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Cage has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Tabera holds on and takes a little breather.
Cage won't allow Tabera to sweep him here.
Tabera is breathing heavily.
Cage trying to control the position from guard on top but Tabera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tabera tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cage loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tabera utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tabera wants to get back to his feet but Cage is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Cage working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Tabera takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Tabera gets a clinch.
Tabera wants to break the clinch but can't.

Tabera breaks from the clinch.

Tabera gets a clinch.
Cage keeps control of Tabera as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Tabera wants to break free but Cage has control.
Tabera gets through Cage's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tabera breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cage's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Cage duly obliges.
Nice body punch from Cage.
Cage scores with a three punch combo!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cage tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Cage throws a right and a left that Tabera avoids nicely.
Cage is looking to clinch.
Tabera throws a combination that misses

and Cage counters with a single leg into guard. Tabera didn't expect that.
Cage is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Cage throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Cage postures up.
Cage wants to control from the top but Tabera keeps moving.
Tabera working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cage lands a couple of elbows.
Cage distracts Tabera with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Tabera keeping moving, preventing Cage from controlling successfully.
Cage thows a big elbow that misses.
Tabera keeping moving, preventing Cage from controlling successfully.
Tabera wants to stand but Cage is controlling the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cage in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Movado Cage dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, 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.

Cage throws a series of punches but Tabera moves out of range.
Tabera will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tabera misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cage.
Tabera tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tabera. Cage does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tabera scores with a nice strike.
Cage throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tabera.

Tabera rushes Cage and presses him up against the cage.
Tabera looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Tabera jumps into guard, dragging Cage to the mat.
Tabera has momentary wrist control but Cage slips an elbow through the middle.
Cage thows a big elbow that misses.
Cage not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Cage stands up over Tabera, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Tabera takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tabera wants to stand up but Cage is controlling him.
Cage wants to control from the top but Tabera keeps moving.
Cage trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Cage is working Tabera over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Cage wants to control from the top but Tabera keeps moving.
Cage postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Cage trying to control the position from guard on top but Tabera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cage with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tabera is trying to control the position but Cage postures up.
Cage trying to control but Tabera is working from the bottom.
Cage is looking to advance position but Tabera has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Tabera can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Cage is looking to escape.
Cage keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Cage is trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tabera controlling from mount.

Cage defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Tabera.
Cage working to try and regain half guard.

Tabera stands up from mount. Strange move.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Tabera fails to land the takedown.
Tabera has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Tabera tries to clinch up but Cage circles away and keeps his distance.

Cage gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Tabera looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Tabera makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Paco Tabera has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cage goes for a takedown attempt but Tabera pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Cage misses with a double jab

and Tabera holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Cage is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Tabera gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Cage's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Movado Cage is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Tabera shoots in for a double leg but Cage sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cage jabs at Tabera's body.

Cage moves into the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Tabera fails to land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Movado Cage showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cage, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Movado Cage!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

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FIGHT
RATING
58%

Undercard bout

Co-main event

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kensi Himura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hollywood Lockhart (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Himura kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is My time is now. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Himura
vs
Lockhart

190 cm
19
150 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
150 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kensi Himura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Hollywood Lockhart!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Aafke Stam and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Himura stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Himura wants it to stay on the feet.
Himura stuffs the takedown.
A nice leg kick lands there from Lockhart.
Lockhart throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Himura.
Lockhart stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Himura.
Himura looks to land a body kick but Lockhart moved away.

Lockhart tries to keep at a distance but Himura has taken the fight into the clinch.

Himura has clasped his hands together around Lockhart's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Himura just content to control the position.
Lockhart misses with a strike from the bottom.
Himura controlling the position from side mount.
Lockhart is trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Himura lands a decent elbow from side control.

Himura working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The strikes coming from Himura are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Lockhart struggling a bit here.
Lockhart might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Himura kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Lockhart tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Himura controls the position from side control.
Lockhart is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Himura asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Himura is in a dominant position here, looking for a kimura. Lockhart looks calm but he's in trouble here. Himura gets his leg over his opponent's head and yanks on the arm. Lockhart is tapping like a morse code operator on the titanic! SOS! SOS! Himura lets go of the hold and Lockhart can pop his arm back in it's socket.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:22 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Kensi Himura!