PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alistair Overeem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jean Claude Van Damn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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?

Overeem
vs
Claude Van Damn

195 cm
26
200 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

178 cm
21
200 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
World class MT
Solid chin

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 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alistair Overeem!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jean Claude Van Damn!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Daniel Blasius and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Van Damn.
Overeem shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Van Damn.
Overeem shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Van Damn sprawls well. Van Damn wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Overeem gets slowly back to his feet.

Overeem closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Overeem lands in his opponent's guard.
Overeem postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Overeem is breathing heavily.
Overeem thows a big elbow that misses.
Overeem loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Overeem prevents Van Damn from getting back to his feet.
Overeem throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Van Damn really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Overeem. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Overeem thows a big elbow that misses.
Overeem throwing strikes but missing.
Van Damn is looking to stand up but Overeem isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Overeem throwing strikes from guard but Van Damn blocks nicely.
Van Damn preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Overeem stops Van Damn from standing up.
Overeem missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Van Damn is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Overeem postures up in Van Damn's guard and throws a big left but Van Damn blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Overeem throws a strike but Van Damn rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Overeem wants to stand up but Van Damn is controlling him.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Alistair Overeem.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Overeem is defended easily by Van Damn.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alistair Overeem. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Overeem takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Damn lands with a kick to the temple. Overeem shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

It looks like Alistair Overeem has been cut.
Overeem blocks a head kick by Van Damn.
Van Damn throws a head kick but Overeem moves out of range.
Van Damn tries a head kick but it misses.
Van Damn misses with a head kick.
Van Damn moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Van Damn fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Van Damn misses with a head kick.
Overeem tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Van Damn swivels and escapes.
Van Damn lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
A thudding body kick lands there by Van Damn!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Van Damn ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Jean Claude Van Damn is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A head kick misses from Van Damn.
Overeem has his takedown stuffed
and Van Damn counters with a good low kick that Overeem was not able to check.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Van Damn.
Van Damn misses with a jab, cross combination.
Overeem is trying hard to land a takedown here. Van Damn sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Alistair Overeem seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Van Damn misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Van Damn lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Overeem blocks a head kick by Van Damn.
Van Damn throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Van Damn throws a head kick that half lands.
Overeem fails to land the takedown.
A solid leg kick lands there for Van Damn.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Van Damn tries a head kick but it misses.
Van Damn with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Van Damn throws a head kick that Overeem semi-blocks.
Van Damn goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jean Claude Van Damn dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alistair Overeem's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Overeem fails to land the takedown.
Overeem takes a kick to the side of the head.
A slapping body kick lands there for Van Damn.
Van Damn misses with a head kick.
Van Damn pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Van Damn misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Van Damn throws a head kick that misses.
Van Damn looks to land a combination. Overeem sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Overeem fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Van Damn scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Overeem will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alistair Overeem. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Van Damn pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Van Damn throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Overeem's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Damn throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Overeem with a lazy takedown attempt
and Van Damn counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Van Damn misses with a head kick.
Overeem blocks a head kick by Van Damn.
Overeem dives in and grabs Van Damn's left leg, looking for a takedown. Van Damn pushes down on Overeem's head and hops out.
Overeem with a lazy takedown attempt
and Van Damn counters with a slapping leg kick.
Van Damn is looking to slow Overeem down with leg kicks.
Van Damn scores with a push kick.
A head kick misses from Van Damn.
Van Damn buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A head kick misses from Van Damn.
Overeem avoids the head kick by Van Damn.
Van Damn keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Van Damn misses with a double jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Damn throws a nice head kick!
Overeem shoots in looking for a takedown but Van Damn manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Overeem's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Van Damn throws a series of punches but Overeem moves out of range.
Overeem shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Van Damn pinned against the cage. Van Damn gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Overeem with a lazy takedown attempt
and Van Damn counters with a good low kick that Overeem was not able to check.
Van Damn lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Van Damn throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nice takedown defense from Van Damn. No joy for Overeem on that attempt.
Overeem takes a kick to the side of the head.
Overeem fails with a takedown attempt.
Overeem fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Overeem fails with the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Damn throws a sloppy head kick and Overeem moves out of range easily.
Van Damn connects with a single shot there.
Van Damn throws a head kick that misses.
Van Damn misses with a head kick.
Horrible takedown by Overeem or perhaps it was just good defense by Van Damn which made him look bad.
Van Damn pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Overeem has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Van Damn.
Van Damn pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Overeem blocks a head kick by Van Damn.
Overeem misses with a takedown attempt
and Van Damn counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Overeem is lucky that one didn't land flush.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Overeem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Overeem changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Van Damn tries to avoid it but Overeem manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Van Damn to the ground. Van Damn escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Overeem blocks a head kick by Van Damn.
Overeem will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Van Damn misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Overeem has a takedown stuffed.
Overeem blocks a head kick by Van Damn.
Overeem shoots in but no luck this time.
Overeem shoots in but Van Damn avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Van Damn throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Overeem avoids the head kick by Van Damn.
Overeem fails with the takedown.
Van Damn throws a head kick that half lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jean Claude Van Damn showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Alistair Overeem's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Overeem shoots in but no luck this time.
Van Damn has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Van Damn throws a head kick that Overeem semi-blocks.
Sloppy strikes from Van Damn. Those never looked like landing.
Alistair Overeem is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Van Damn moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Van Damn throws a head kick that Overeem semi-blocks.
Van Damn scores with a head kick. Overeem tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Overeem closes the distance and clinches up with Van Damn, looking for a takedown. Overeem pushes Van Damn against the ropes but Van Damn circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Overeem on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Overeem dives in and grabs Van Damn's left leg, looking for a takedown. Van Damn pushes down on Overeem's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alistair Overeem. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Overeem avoids the head kick by Van Damn.
Van Damn throws a combination. Overeem tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Overeem scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Overeem not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Overeem throwing shots but Van Damn is blocking nicely.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Overeem thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Van Damn's head.
Overeem throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Van Damn looks like he's trying to stand up.
Overeem thows a huge punch but Van Damn dodges it nicely.
Ground and pound from Overeem.
Overeem not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Overeem looks to land a strike but Van Damn avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Van Damn utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Overeem throws a strike but Van Damn rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Van Damn wants to get up but he can't break Overeem's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's two 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.
Overeem will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Alistair Overeem just wasn't active enough.
Van Damn connects with a right hand. Overeem shakes it off.
Overeem blocks a head kick by Van Damn.
Nice sprawl there from Van Damn as Overeem shoots in.
Van Damn lands with a slapping head kick.
Van Damn tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A chopping leg kick lands by Van Damn.
Overeem is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Damn throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Overeem's head.
Van Damn scores with a head kick. Overeem tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Van Damn lands with a nice body kick.
Overeem has a takedown stuffed.
Van Damn scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Overeem doesn't seem bothered though.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Overeem.
Van Damn throws a head kick that misses.
Van Damn misses with a double jab.
Van Damn scores with a head kick. Overeem tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Overeem shoots in but Van Damn avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Overeem fails with a takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jean Claude Van Damn comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Van Damn 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight for Jean Claude Van Damn!
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight for Jean Claude Van Damn!
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight for Jean Claude Van Damn!

Jean Claude Van Damn wins by unanimous decision!