RF 4 PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ali Khusaif Al Hammadi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Claudiu Lupu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Khusaif Al Hammadi
vs
Lupu

190 cm
25
240 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

201 cm
25
258 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

Tab Out Clothes

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 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ali Khusaif Al Hammadi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Claudiu Lupu!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Aafke Stam and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lupu keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Al Hammadi doesn't manage to clinch there - Lupu circles away.
Lupu looks for a takedown but Al Hammadi sprawls well.
Al Hammadi stuffs the takedown.
Al Hammadi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Lupu fails with the takedown.
Ali Khusaif Al Hammadi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Claudiu Lupu.

Lupu looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Al Hammadi!
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Al Hammadi is trying to control Lupu's posture but Lupu avoids it.
Lupu controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lupu wants to stand but Al Hammadi is controlling his arm.
Al Hammadi is trying to work for a sweep but Lupu has mounted him!
Lupu throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Al Hammadi tries to hold on but Lupu postures up.
Lupu is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.
Al Hammadi squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Al Hammadi is trying to escape the mount.
Lupu is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Hammadi wants to hold on but Lupu pushes him away.

Lupu looking to secure an arm triangle but Al Hammadi defends it well.
Al Hammadi can't escape the position.
Lupu wants to stand but Al Hammadi is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.
Al Hammadi knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Lupu on the ground.
Al Hammadi tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Al Hammadi is squirming around, avoiding Lupu's attempts to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lupu content just to control the position here.
Lupu landing strikes, looking to finish!
Al Hammadi is looking to improve his position but Lupu isn't that keen on the idea.
Al Hammadi is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lupu throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Lupu unloading with bombs!
Al Hammadi tries to lock up and control but Lupu gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lupu controlling from mount.
Al Hammadi might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lupu looking to control but Al Hammadi is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Claudiu Lupu dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Al Hammadi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Lupu sprawls well. Lupu wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Al Hammadi gets slowly back to his feet.
Al Hammadi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Al Hammadi tries to clinch but Lupu moves out of range.
Al Hammadi tries to clinch up but Lupu circles away and keeps his distance.
Lupu shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Al Hammadi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lupu shoots in for a takedown but Al Hammadi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ali Khusaif Al Hammadi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lupu tries to clinch but Al Hammadi moves out of range.
Lupu throws a head kick but Al Hammadi moves out of range.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Al Hammadi.
Lupu slips a jab and a cross from Al Hammadi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Hammadi scores with a nice head shot.
Al Hammadi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lupu misses with a body shot.
Lupu tries to clinch up but Al Hammadi circles away and keeps his distance.
Al Hammadi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Al Hammadi dives in and grabs Lupu's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lupu pushes down on Al Hammadi's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ali Khusaif Al Hammadi. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Al Hammadi rushes Lupu and presses him up against the cage.

Lupu manages to break the clinch.
Al Hammadi looks for a takedown but Lupu sprawls well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lupu looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Al Hammadi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Lupu tries to land a front kick but Al Hammadi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Lupu forces Al Hammadi back against the cage and clinches.
Lupu tries to pull guard but Al Hammadi holds him up against the cage and eventually Lupu drops back down to his feet.
Lupu looks to throw an elbow but misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lupu has Al Hammadi pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Al Hammadi manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Lupu goes for a takedown in the clinch but Al Hammadi prevents it.
Lupu with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Lupu is trying to pull guard but Al Hammadi turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lupu breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Lupu closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Lupu is pressing down on Al Hammadi's thigh, looking to free his foot. Al Hammadi is holding on for now.
Al Hammadi moves into full guard.
Al Hammadi is trying to control the position but Lupu postures up.
Lupu prevents Al Hammadi from getting back to his feet.
Lupu throws a big elbow that misses.
Lupu is looking to stand up but Al Hammadi won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lupu trying to control the position from guard on top but Al Hammadi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Al Hammadi working a defensive guard here.
Al Hammadi is trying to hold Lupu in close to prevent damage but Lupu has managed to pass into half guard.
Lupu is keen to just control but Al Hammadi is a slippery customer.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Al Hammadi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Claudiu Lupu will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Lupu avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lupu looks for the body kick but Al Hammadi saw that one coming.
Nice sprawl there from Lupu as Al Hammadi shoots in.
Lupu stuffs the takedown attempt from Al Hammadi. Al Hammadi gets slowly back to his feet.
Lupu shoots in but no luck this time.
Al Hammadi tries to clinch up but Lupu circles away and keeps his distance.
Al Hammadi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Lupu avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ali Khusaif Al Hammadi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Al Hammadi tries to clinch but Lupu moves out of range.

Lupu has closed the distance and engaged Al Hammadi in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lupu keeps control of Al Hammadi as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Lupu turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Lupu looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Lupu is working Al Hammadi over with some ground and pound from side control.
Claudiu Lupu has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lupu trying to control the action but Al Hammadi is working from the bottom.
Al Hammadi is trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lupu is looking to take a break and control but Al Hammadi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Lupu working the head with strikes.
Al Hammadi can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lupu trying to control the position but Al Hammadi is working away.
Lupu throws a strike aimed at the side of Al Hammadi's head but Al Hammadi avoids it well.
Lupu creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Al Hammadi sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Al Hammadi on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Lupu remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Lupu trying to control the action but Al Hammadi is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lupu tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Lupu working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Ali Khusaif Al Hammadi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Claudiu Lupu is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Lupu blocks the strikes from Al Hammadi.

And that's the end of the fight!
Claudiu Lupu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lupu winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Claudiu Lupu!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
47%

Undercard bout

Co-main event

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ulf Larsonn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Henri Ivanovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Larsonn
vs
Ivanovski

198 cm
20
217 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

198 cm
25
259 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Great elbows
Big heart

Good takedowns
Brawler
Very confident

Tab Out Clothes

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ulf Larsonn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Henri Ivanovski!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Albert Achterberg and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice shot by Larsonn.
Ivanovski showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Larsonn.
Ivanovski takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Larsonn throws a low kick but Ivanovski avoids it.
Larsonn scores with a hook.

Larsonn has taken the fight to the clinch.
Larsonn gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ivanovski.
Larsonn lands a hook to the side of the head.
Larsonn lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Larsonn lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ivanovski is trying to push Larsonn away but Larsonn has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Ivanovski fails to pull guard.
Larsonn lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Henri Ivanovski has been cut.
Ivanovski takes an elbow to the temple.
Larsonn lands a right hand.
Larsonn content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larsonn lands an elbow just above Ivanovski 's eye.
Ivanovski stalling in the clinch but Larsonn improves position.
A shot in the inside from Larsonn.
Larsonn stalling in the clinch.
Larsonn lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Ivanovski breaks the clinch.
Larsonn lands with a cross.
Ivanovski closes the distance and clinches up with Larsonn, looking for a takedown. Ivanovski pushes Larsonn against the cage but Larsonn circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ulf Larsonn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Henri Ivanovski.
Ivanovski is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Larsonn.
Ivanovski tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ivanovski shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Larsonn pinned against the cage. Larsonn gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ivanovski throws a head kick that misses.

Larsonn gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Larsonn.
Larsonn scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Larsonn on the inside.
Ivanovski tries to pull guard but Larsonn forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Larsonn creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ivanovski's defenses.
Larsonn scores with a shoulder strike.
Ivanovski tries to circle away but Larsonn has him pinned against the cage.
Larsonn lands an uppercut.
Larsonn lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ivanovski backwards.
Larsonn lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ivanovski backwards.

Larsonn breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Larsonn closes the distance and clinches.
Larsonn lands with a right to the head.
Ivanovski takes an elbow to the forehead.
Larsonn creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ivanovski's defenses.
Stalling in the clinch from Larsonn.
Ivanovski working hard to break the clinch.
Larsonn lands an elbow that stopped Ivanovski in his tracks for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larsonn lands with a right to the head.
Larsonn throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ivanovskis head.
Ivanovski working hard to break the clinch.

Larsonn's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Larsonn with a hook.

Larsonn closes the distance and pushes Ivanovski back into the cage.
Ivanovski is trying to pull guard but Larsonn has him pressed against the cage.
Larsonn makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Ivanovski has hold of one of Larsonn's legs. Larsonn is fighting the takedown attempt but Ivanovski gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Ivanovski looks winded!
Larsonn has Ivanovski pulled in close to control his posture.
Ivanovski prevents Larsonn from getting back to his feet.
Larsonn wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Larsonn connects with a solid leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Larsonn scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Ivanovski throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Larsonn scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Larsonn lands a jab to the nose.
Larsonn plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Larsonn moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Larsonn scores with a jab to the jaw.
Ulf Larsonn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Larsonn, as that shot connected.
Larsonn connects with a single shot there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Larsonn wants to clinch.
Ulf Larsonn is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ivanovski takes one to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ulf Larsonn dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Henri Ivanovski's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Good leg kick by Larsonn there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Henri Ivanovski is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ivanovski throws a right hand that Larsonn ducks under and follows up with a left that Larsonn also avoids with ease.
Larsonn bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ivanovski's head.
Larsonn throws the kick towards the body but Ivanovski avoids it.
Ivanovski gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Larsonn.
Ivanovski throws a combination that misses
and Larsonn counters with a straight right hand.
Larsonn scores with a decent looking hook.
Larsonn cracks Ivanovski with a right hand to the side of the head.
Ivanovski closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Larsonn lands a slapping body shot.
Larsonn works Ivanovski's body with a nice hook.

Ivanovski bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ivanovski wants to stand but Larsonn has his arm trapped.
Ivanovski working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larsonn tries to improve position but can't.
Larsonn wants to control but Ivanovski postures up.
Larsonn is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Ivanovski is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Larsonn is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Ivanovski tries for a kimura but Larsonn is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ivanovski looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Ivanovski goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Larsonn rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Ivanovski's guard! Nice work there by Larsonn!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ivanovski looking for a guillotine here but Larsonn defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ivanovski controlling the position.

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.

Larsonn got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ivanovski has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Larsonn has managed to get both his arms back between Ivanovski's legs - danger averted.
Ivanovski lands a decent shot there.
Ivanovski has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ivanovski wants to control the position but Larsonn says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Henri Ivanovski will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Henri Ivanovski's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Decent striking displayed by Larsonn there.
Larsonn lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

Ivanovski closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Larsonn quickly recovers to half guard.
Larsonn is staying active underneath Ivanovski, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Ivanovski seems to be looking for submissions.
Ivanovski stops Larsonn from getting back to his feet.
Larsonn trying to control here.
Henri Ivanovski has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ivanovski has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanovski is looking to stand but Ivanovski has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Ivanovski wants to control the pace but Larsonn is squirming around nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Larsonn is in a horrible position here. Ivanovski smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Larsonn is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

Ivanovski jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Larsonn manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Ivanovski wants to control but Larsonn is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ivanovski is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Larsonn is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's four 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.

Ivanovski tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Ivanovski has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Ivanovski landing a few strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Henri Ivanovski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ivanovski 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Henri Ivanovski!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
50%

Main event

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kimai Waciuri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bahtiyar Yildiz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Waciuri
vs
Yildiz

206 cm
19
245 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

202 cm
25
257 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Tab Out Clothes

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kimai Waciuri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Bahtiyar Yildiz!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Wagner Zegers and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Waciuri tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Yildiz manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Yildiz scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Yildiz wants to stand but Waciuri has his arm trapped.

Yildiz has hold of Waciuri's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Waciuri seems comfortable defending it but Yildiz has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Waciuri is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Waciuri is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Yildiz couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:17 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Bahtiyar Yildiz!