PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight kickboxing rules bout between Mike Van Rijn (ranked 5927 p4p, 23175 weight class) and Jason Skillz (ranked 425 p4p, 459 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.

Van Rijn
vs
Skillz

180 cm
36
159
32 - 35 - 3

172 cm
23
146
5 - 6 - 1

World class boxer
Insanely flexible

World class MT
Good gas tank

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 32 - 35 - 3, fighting out of New York, Mike Van Rijn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Jason Skillz!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Trevor Gratis and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Skillz misses with a head kick.
Van Rijn lands with a good body shot.
Van Rijn moves out of range of the body kick.
Van Rijn throws a head kick that misses.
Skillz steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Skillz moves away from the strike by Van Rijn.
Mike Van Rijn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Van Rijn fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Van Rijn has been working on his boxing with his coaches at New York Public Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Van Rijn lands with an overhand left.
Skillz looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Van Rijn turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Nice body punch from Van Rijn.
Van Rijn avoids the head kick by Skillz.
Van Rijn connects with a solid leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Van Rijn steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Skillz.
Van Rijn scores with a shot to the body.

Van Rijn has managed to clinch.
Skillz lands a left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Rijn working aggressively here.
Van Rijn misses with a punch to the body.
Skillz swings wildly with an uppercut but Van Rijn uses good head movement to avoid it.
Skillz is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Van Rijn is defending well for now.
Van Rijn misses with a hook to the ribs.
Van Rijn misses with a hook from the clinch.
Skillz pushes Van Rijn back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Van Rijn misses with a punch on the inside.
Skillz lands with a short shot to the head.
Skillz swings wildly with an uppercut but Van Rijn uses good head movement to avoid it.
Skillz misses with some punches.
Van Rijn blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Van Rijn throws a head punch that misses.
A nice left hand lands by Van Rijn.
Van Rijn tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Skillz's elbow.
Skillz goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Skillz lands a shot to the body.
Skillz tries to throw a body punch but Van Rijn avoids it by throwing Skillz back against the ropes.
Van Rijn is working Skillz over against the ropes.
Van Rijn lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Rijn misses with a short punch on the inside.
Van Rijn cracks Skillz with a nice body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Van Rijn misses with some punches.
Van Rijn misses with a short punch on the inside.
Skillz throws an elbow that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Skillz.
Skillz throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Van Rijns head.
Van Rijn misses with a hook from the clinch.
Van Rijn makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Van Rijn dodges an elbow strike from Skillz.
Skillz throws a head punch that misses.
Van Rijn misses with a punch to the body.
A short body shot lands from Van Rijn as the two fighters clinch.
Skillz stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Skillz misses with a hook from the clinch.
Skillz has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Van Rijn seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Skillz can turn it around.
Van Rijn misses with a punch on the inside.
Van Rijn works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Van Rijn lands with a right to the head.
Van Rijn misses with a body punch.
Van Rijn on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Van Rijn.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skillz lands a right hand.
Skillz lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short body shot lands from Van Rijn as the two fighters clinch.
Van Rijn has a couple of punches blocked by Skillz.
Skillz blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Van Rijn lands a right hand.
Skillz doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Van Rijn throws a head punch that misses.
Van Rijn pushes Skillz back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Skillz has a couple of punches blocked by Van Rijn.
Van Rijn misses with a punch on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Skillz.
Van Rijn tries to work over Skillz's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Van Rijn fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Van Rijn goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Skillz lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Van Rijn backwards.
Skillz blocks a body shot from Van Rijn.
A right hook to the body lands for Van Rijn.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Skillz blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Skillz misses with a short punch on the inside.
Van Rijn tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Skillz's elbow.
Skillz scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skillz tries a body shot but Van Rijn blocks it.
Skillz with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Skillz struggles to land a body shot inside as Van Rijn controls his hands.
Van Rijn scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A short right from Van Rijn.
Skillz misses with the head strike.
Van Rijn makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Skillz can't find room to land a body shot as Van Rijn controls the action.
Van Rijn lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Skillz backwards.
Skillz throws a punch but it's blocked by Van Rijn.
Van Rijn pushes Skillz back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
Skillz throws a head punch that misses.
Skillz pushes Van Rijn back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
Skillz misses with some punches.
Skillz missing with knees to the body.
Skillz lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Van Rijn backwards.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Skillz doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Van Rijn has a couple of punches blocked by Skillz.
Skillz putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Van Rijn in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Skillz lands a knee to the body.
Van Rijn tries to work over Skillz's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Van Rijn dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Van Rijn connects with a solid leg kick.
Skillz throws a sloppy head kick and Van Rijn moves out of range easily.
Skillz displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Van Rijn throws out the jab.
Skillz wants to counter the offense by Van Rijn and move into the clinch position.
Van Rijn throws an overhand right that lands on Skillz's shoulder, as Skillz tries to avoid the shot.
Skillz just misses with a punch to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Skillz. Van Rijn does a little dance to reset his feet.
Skillz blocks a jab.
Van Rijn ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Skillz moves away.
Skillz appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

Van Rijn clinches.
Skillz struggles to land a body shot inside as Van Rijn controls his hands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Skillz misses with the head strike.
Skillz goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Skillz using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Van Rijn has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Van Rijn lands with a light punch inside.
Van Rijn lands a body shot.
Skillz goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Van Rijn makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Rijn can't find room to land a body shot as Skillz controls the action.
Van Rijn lands a right hand that snaps the head of Skillz backwards.
Skillz trying to control the position but instead, Van Rijn has worked for underhooks and has pushed Skillz into the ropes.
Skillz tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A right hook to the body lands for Van Rijn.
Van Rijn misses with a short punch on the inside.
Van Rijn lands a hook that snaps the head of Skillz backwards.
Skillz lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Skillz blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Skillz misses with a hook to the ribs.
Skillz lands a body shot.
A short uppercut from Skillz.
Skillz lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Van Rijn lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Skillz backwards.
Skillz lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Van Rijn.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Skillz.
Van Rijn misses with a short punch on the inside.
Van Rijn lands a right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Skillz.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Rijn fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Skillz.
Van Rijn presses Skillz against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Skillz trying to stall but Van Rijn improves his position.
Skillz misses with the head strike.
Skillz misses with the head strike.
Skillz goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Van Rijn tries to throw a body punch but Skillz avoids it by throwing Van Rijn back against the ropes.
Skillz lands a right hand.
A shot in the inside from Skillz.
Van Rijn blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Skillz doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Van Rijn misses with a short punch on the inside.
Skillz tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Van Rijn avoids it.
Skillz lands a left hand that snaps the head of Van Rijn backwards.
Van Rijn tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Van Rijn misses with some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Skillz.
Skillz throws a knee to the head but misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Skillz.
Skillz is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Van Rijn is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skillz misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Van Rijn.
Van Rijn scores with a hook to the body.
Van Rijn scores with a hook to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Skillz.
Van Rijn lands a hook that snaps the head of Skillz backwards.
Skillz misses with the head strike.
Van Rijn misses with some punches.
Mike Van Rijn has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Skillz lands with a light punch inside.
Skillz misses with a punch to the body.
Van Rijn working aggressively here.
Skillz looking to throw knees to the head but Van Rijn is blocking nicely.
Skillz misses with a short punch on the inside.
Skillz blocks a body shot from Van Rijn.
Van Rijn pushes Skillz back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
Skillz is breathing heavily.
Van Rijn lands a left hand that snaps the head of Skillz backwards.
Van Rijn is working Skillz over against the ropes.
A head punch on the inside from Van Rijn fails to land.
Skillz lands a shot to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Skillz.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skillz blocking some punches.
Van Rijn misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Van Rijn avoiding damage as Skillz throws knees to the body.
Van Rijn avoiding damage as Skillz throws knees to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Skillz lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Van Rijn.
Van Rijn lands with a light punch inside.
Skillz's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A quick uppercut on the inside from Van Rijn.
Skillz working aggressively here.
A head punch on the inside from Skillz fails to land.
Skillz presses Van Rijn against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Skillz tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Van Rijn avoids it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Van Rijn.
Skillz cracks Van Rijn with a nice body shot.
Van Rijn scores with a shoulder strike.
Van Rijn misses with a hook from the clinch.
Skillz lands with a right to the head.
Skillz blocks an uppercut.
Skillz misses with a hook to the ribs.
A nice right hand lands inside from Van Rijn.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Mike Van Rijn will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Van Rijn drives through and clinches with Skillz against the ropes.
Skillz blocks an uppercut.
Skillz throws an elbow but it misses.
Van Rijn throws a head punch that misses.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Van Rijn as Skillz tries to tie him up.
Skillz tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Van Rijn makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Van Rijn gets through Skillz's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Van Rijn has a couple of punches blocked by Skillz.
Van Rijn tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Van Rijn tries a body shot but Skillz blocks it.
Van Rijn misses with the head strike.
Van Rijn working some nice short punches in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Skillz lands with a short shot to the head.
Van Rijn lands a right hand.
Knees in the clinch landing for Skillz.
Skillz prevents a body shot from Van Rijn.
Skillz misses with some punches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Skillz blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Rijn struggles to land a body shot inside as Skillz controls his hands.
Skillz lands a body shot.
Van Rijn tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Skillz's elbow.
Skillz lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Van Rijn or not.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Skillz softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Skillz with a knee to the head.

It looks like Mike Van Rijn has been cut.
Van Rijn prevents a body shot from Skillz.
Skillz misses with a punch to the body.
Skillz lands a knee to the body.
Skillz blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Skillz using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Van Rijn has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Skillz swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Skillz tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Skillz lands a right hand that snaps the head of Van Rijn backwards.
Van Rijn takes a knee right on the jaw!
Skillz lands a shoulder strike.
Van Rijn tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Skillz misses with a body punch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Van Rijn tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Skillz misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skillz scores with a shoulder strike.
Skillz goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Skillz.
Skillz tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Van Rijn's elbow.
Skillz is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Van Rijn is defending well for now.
Van Rijn scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Skillz misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Van Rijn.
Van Rijn pushes Skillz back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Van Rijn can't find room to land a body shot as Skillz controls the action.
Van Rijn blocks an uppercut.
Skillz landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Van Rijn lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Van Rijn.
Van Rijn fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Skillz tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Van Rijn lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Skillz backwards.
A short body shot lands from Van Rijn as the two fighters clinch.
Skillz misses with a hook from the clinch.
Van Rijn struggles to land a body shot inside as Skillz controls his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skillz tries to throw a body punch but Van Rijn avoids it by throwing Skillz back against the ropes.
Skillz tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Skillz blocking some punches.
Skillz tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Van Rijn throws a head punch that misses.
Van Rijn is working Skillz over against the ropes.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Van Rijn.
Skillz stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Van Rijn misses with some punches.
A left hand lands to the body for Van Rijn.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Van Rijn creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A right hook to the body lands for Van Rijn.
A right hand to the body from Van Rijn.
Jason Skillz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Van Rijn presses Skillz against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Van Rijn misses with a punch on the inside.
Van Rijn lands with a short shot to the head.
Van Rijn throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Van Rijn works on Skillz's body with a couple of short punches.
Van Rijn working some nice short punches in the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Van Rijn lands a shoulder strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Rijn throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Skillzs head.
Van Rijn lands with a left to the head.
Still in the clinch, Van Rijn scores with a nice short uppercut.
A right hook to the body lands for Van Rijn.
Van Rijn blocks a body shot from Skillz.
Van Rijn struggles to land a body shot inside as Skillz controls his hands.
Van Rijn lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Van Rijn.
Van Rijn lands a body shot.
Skillz misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Van Rijn blocks an uppercut.
Van Rijn lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Skillz backwards.
Van Rijn misses with a hook from the clinch.
Van Rijn scores with a nice hook to the head.
Van Rijn managing to block the knees to the body from Skillz.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Skillz working some nice short punches in the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Van Rijn.
Van Rijn working aggressively here.
Skillz is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Van Rijn is defending well for now.
Skillz lands a body punch in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Van Rijn showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Van Rijn has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 for Mike Van Rijn!
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight for Mike Van Rijn!
Judge William Peck scores the fight for Mike Van Rijn!

Mike Van Rijn wins by unanimous decision!
Mike Van Rijn seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.