PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Adils Hallbjornsson (ranked 204 p4p, 279 weight class) and Joost Van Buren (ranked 32 p4p, 44 weight class). Hallbjornsson comes to the cage accompanied by Herr Mannelig. 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?

Hallbjornsson
vs
Van Buren

190 cm
25
220
13 - 2 - 0

188 cm
39
206
37 - 22 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Carnage Clothing
Conquer

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 13 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Adils Hallbjornsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 37 - 22 - 1, fighting out of New York, Joost Van Buren!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hallbjornsson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Van Buren looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Hallbjornsson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Van Buren.
Hallbjornsson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hallbjornsson misses with an uppercut
and Van Buren counters with a straight right hand.
Hallbjornsson tests Van Buren's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Van Buren moves out of range as Hallbjornsson strikes.
Van Buren uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hallbjornsson.
Van Buren pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Van Buren connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Van Buren lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hallbjornsson's sensitive parts.
Van Buren has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Van Buren looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Hallbjornsson tests Van Buren's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hallbjornsson throws a hook to the side of Van Buren's head but Van Buren sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hallbjornsson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Van Buren.
Hallbjornsson blocks a jab.
It looked like Hallbjornsson wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Van Buren jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hallbjornsson was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
A leg kick checked by Hallbjornsson.
Van Buren takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Van Buren paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
A low kick from Hallbjornsson misses
and Van Buren counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Van Buren throws out a leg kick but Hallbjornsson moves out of range and Van Buren only half commits.
Hallbjornsson throws a quick counter kick to the body but Van Buren avoids it.
Hallbjornsson looks for the body kick but Van Buren saw that one coming.
Van Buren misses with a looping left.
Hallbjornsson feinted there with a counter leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Buren misses the shot to the body.
Hallbjornsson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A solid leg kick lands there for Van Buren.
Both fighters circling a little - Van Buren finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hallbjornsson throws out a leg kick but Van Buren moves out of range and Hallbjornsson only half commits.
Hallbjornsson fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Van Buren has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Hallbjornsson throws out a loose jab but Van Buren uses good head movement to avoid it.
Van Buren misses with a straight right.
Van Buren misses with a low kick.
A head kick misses from Hallbjornsson.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Van Buren! But no joy.
Van Buren throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hallbjornsson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hallbjornsson looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Buren on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A low kick from Van Buren is predictable there
enabling Hallbjornsson to counter with a crisp jab.
Van Buren throws a front kick that sends Hallbjornsson stumbling back into the cage.
Van Buren misses the shot to the body.
Van Buren keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Van Buren throws a lazy right hand but Hallbjornsson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Van Buren darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Hallbjornsson misses with an uppercut
and Van Buren counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Van Buren throws a right hand that misses
and Hallbjornsson counters with a straight right hand.
Van Buren with a nice calf kick.
Van Buren thumps Hallbjornsson with a low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Buren lands a really nice looking cross but Hallbjornsson seems unphased.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hallbjornsson tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Van Buren is able to avoid easily.
Van Buren pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hallbjornsson is out of range and Van Buren settles back down.
Jab by Van Buren.
Van Buren looks for the body kick but Hallbjornsson saw that one coming.
Hallbjornsson was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Hallbjornsson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Van Buren manages to avoid it.
Van Buren fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hallbjornsson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Hallbjornsson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Van Buren moves away.
Hallbjornsson throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Van Buren slips under a jab from Hallbjornsson.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joost Van Buren dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Van Buren misses the shot to the body.
Hallbjornsson looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Van Buren throws a poor cross that misses
and Hallbjornsson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Van Buren throws an off balance right hand
and Hallbjornsson counters with a nice uppercut.
Hallbjornsson swings for the body but Van Buren moves out of range.
Joost Van Buren seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Van Buren lands a jab.
Van Buren moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A cross from Van Buren lands.
Nice defenses there by Hallbjornsson.
Hallbjornsson swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Hallbjornsson throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Van Buren cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Van Buren feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Hallbjornssons jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hallbjornsson throws a low kick but it's checked well by Van Buren.
Van Buren punishes Hallbjornsson's body with a nice straight punch.
Van Buren wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Hallbjornsson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hallbjornsson connects with a right hand. Van Buren shakes it off.
Van Buren has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Van Buren.
Joost Van Buren seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Van Buren dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hallbjornsson connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Van Buren's hands.
Hallbjornsson throws a wild body kick that Van Buren sees coming a mile off.
Hallbjornsson misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Buren cracks Hallbjornsson with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Hallbjornsson avoids the body shot from Van Buren.
Hallbjornsson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hallbjornsson throws a body kick that misses.
Van Buren uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hallbjornsson.
Van Buren throws a leg kick which misses Hallbjornsson's front leg but catches the back leg as Hallbjornsson tries to avoid it.
Nice defenses there by Hallbjornsson.
Van Buren lands with an uppercut that bounces Hallbjornsson off the cage and back into range.
Van Buren connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Hallbjornsson momentarily.
Van Buren lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Van Buren.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Buren jabs Hallbjornsson right on the nose. Hallbjornsson blinks but takes it well.
A nice leg kick from Van Buren, right into the meat of the thigh.
Van Buren misses with a hook.
Van Buren scores with a hook to the body. Hallbjornsson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Hallbjornsson checks a low kick from Van Buren.
A little feinted left hand from Hallbjornsson on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Hallbjornsson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
And Van Buren responds with a good body kick, but Hallbjornsson manages to step out the way in time.
Hallbjornsson with a nice cross.
Van Buren blocks a jab.
Van Buren fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hallbjornsson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Van Buren cracks a nice hook into Hallbjornsson's ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hallbjornsson throws a wild body kick that Van Buren sees coming a mile off.
Hallbjornsson throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Hallbjornsson scores with a shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A kick lands to the mid section there for Van Buren.
Van Buren tries to score with a low kick but Hallbjornsson moves his leg out of the way.
An attempted straight right counter from Hallbjornsson misses the target.
Van Buren works Hallbjornsson's body with a nice hook.
Van Buren displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hallbjornsson throws out the jab.
Jab from Van Buren.
Van Buren throws the left hand but Hallbjornsson avoids the punch easily.
Hallbjornsson is looking to counter punch.
Van Buren looks to land a left hand but Hallbjornsson moved out of range nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joost Van Buren showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Hallbjornsson slips a straight right by Van Buren.
Van Buren fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Hallbjornsson has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Hallbjornsson on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Hallbjornsson is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Hallbjornsson tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nice defenses there by Van Buren.
Van Buren misses with a low kick as Hallbjornsson jumps back.
Hallbjornsson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Van Buren.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big right from Hallbjornsson misses.
A little jabbing left from Van Buren on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Van Buren on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Hallbjornsson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Van Buren throws a chopping leg kick but Hallbjornsson manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by Hallbjornsson.
Hallbjornsson feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Van Buren ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hallbjornsson moves away.
Hallbjornsson is looking to counter punch.
Van Buren throws a leg kick that is checked
and Hallbjornsson counters with a stiff right hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hallbjornsson. Van Buren does a little dance to reset his feet.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Van Buren! But no joy.
Hallbjornsson blocks a low kick nicely.
Hallbjornsson keeps Van Buren at a distance using the push kick.
Van Buren does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Hallbjornsson fires out a quick counter leg kick but Van Buren just manages to avoid it.
Hallbjornsson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Van Buren.
Van Buren lands a leg kick that knocks Hallbjornsson off balance momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hallbjornsson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Hallbjornsson throws a leg kick which misses Van Buren's front leg but catches the back leg as Van Buren tries to avoid it.
Hallbjornsson checks a leg kick.
Hallbjornsson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A nice inside leg kick there by Van Buren. That's going to slow Hallbjornsson down.
Van Buren lands the left hand.
Nice body punch from Hallbjornsson.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Van Buren comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Van Buren throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Van Buren connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Hallbjornsson momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Van Buren. Beautiful body shot.
Nice shot lands for Van Buren.
Van Buren throws a leg kick that misses.
Hallbjornsson misses with a right hand
and Van Buren counters with a straight right hand.
Van Buren throws a low kick but Hallbjornsson moves out of range easily.
Joost Van Buren is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Van Buren ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hallbjornsson moves away.
Hallbjornsson misses with a straight left.
Hallbjornsson loads up on a big right hand but Van Buren slips the punch.
Hallbjornsson wants to slow Van Buren down by chopping away at his legs.
Hallbjornsson throws a predictable looking body shot
and Van Buren counters with a straight right hand.
Hallbjornsson looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Buren scoring well with a low kick there.
Van Buren throws a lazy body kick
and Hallbjornsson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hallbjornsson throws a hook to the side of Van Buren's head but Van Buren sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Van Buren throws an off balance right hand
and Hallbjornsson makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Van Buren really felt that one!
Van Buren scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hallbjornsson throws out a loose jab but Van Buren uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hallbjornsson keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Hallbjornsson throws a body kick that misses
and Van Buren counters with a nice low kick that buckles Hallbjornsson's knee momentarily.
Van Buren misses the shot to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joost Van Buren comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Van Buren has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joost Van Buren!
After the fight, Joost Van Buren was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.