PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Zebra (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jaap Van Der Merwe (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.

Zebra
vs
Van Der Merwe

188 cm
20
270 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

205 cm
26
265 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alexander Zebra!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jaap Van Der Merwe!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Albert Achterberg and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Van Der Merwe closes the distance and clinches.
Zebra is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Van Der Merwe taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Zebra stalling in the clinch but Van Der Merwe improves position.
Van Der Merwe keeps control of Zebra as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Van Der Merwe stalling in the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Van Der Merwe.

It looks like Alexander Zebra has been cut.
Zebra letting Van Der Merwe take a breather here.
Van Der Merwe presses Zebra against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

Van Der Merwe has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Zebra uses from the top position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Van Der Merwe is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Zebra is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zebra throws and elbow that misses. Van Der Merwe uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Zebra's guard. Nice move by Van Der Merwe!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zebra wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Van Der Merwe is now in half guard.
Zebra trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Van Der Merwe manages to pass to mount!
Zebra tries to lock up and control but Van Der Merwe gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Zebra keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zebra is working hard here to advance position.
Van Der Merwe looking to control and managing it successfully.
It looks like Van Der Merwe might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jaap Van Der Merwe was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Van Der Merwe lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Merwe shoots in but no luck this time.

Zebra takes the fight into the clinch.
Van Der Merwe lands with a light punch inside.
Zebra drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Van Der Merwe keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Zebra's efforts to push away.

Van Der Merwe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Van Der Merwe tries to clinch up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Van Der Merwe connects with a solid leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Van Der Merwe scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Zebra is breathing heavily.
Van Der Merwe performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jaap Van Der Merwe dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alexander Zebra's cut.
That's time! Zebra's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Zebra gets tackled into the cage by Van Der Merwe. Van Der Merwe maintains the clinch.

Van Der Merwe drops Zebra with a big knee straight up the middle! Zebra is covering up against the cage but manages to escape and gets back to his feet!

Van Der Merwe forces Zebra back against the cage and clinches.
Van Der Merwe's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Zebra missing with knees to the body.
Van Der Merwe just leaning against Zebra, taking a breather.
Van Der Merwe scores a nice knee to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zebra has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Van Der Merwe avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Van Der Merwe escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zebra is looking to land body kicks.
Sloppy strikes from Zebra. Those never looked like landing.

Van Der Merwe fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Zebra sprawls well initially but Van Der Merwe persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Van Der Merwe content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Van Der Merwe stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Van Der Merwe shoots in for a takedown but Zebra shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Alexander Zebra is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Van Der Merwe scores with a takedown into Zebra's guard.

Zebra is rocked!
Zebra has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Van Der Merwe has passed into side control.
Oh Zebra is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zebra looks to move to half guard but instead Van Der Merwe has passed into mount! Damn!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Merwe sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Zebra might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Zebra seems to have got his legs back now.
Zebra is trying to escape the mount.
Van Der Merwe controlling the position easily from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jaap Van Der Merwe was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Zebra has managed to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zebra is trying to maintain a safe position but Van Der Merwe gets an underhook and turns Zebra into the cage.
Van Der Merwe digs a right hand into Zebra's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Zebra's gas tank.
Zebra's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Van Der Merwe manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Van Der Merwe lands with a short shot to the head.
Van Der Merwe stalling in the clinch.
Van Der Merwe lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Zebra backwards.
Knees in the clinch landing for Van Der Merwe.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Van Der Merwe lands an uppercut in the clinch that drops Zebra to his knees! Van Der Merwe keeps firing more shots against his stricken opponent and the referee jumps in to save him!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:54 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jaap Van Der Merwe!