PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Aurelius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Royston De Noteboom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aurelius's entrance music is Requiem For A Dream . A fine choice. De Noteboom has chosen Rotting Christ - Snowing Still as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. 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.

Aurelius
vs
De Noteboom

195 cm
26
275 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

185 cm
31
228 lbs
19 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Wolfpack Threadz

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Marcus Aurelius!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Royston De Noteboom!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aurelius throws a hook but De Noteboom blocks it.
A combination from Aurelius does no damage.
Aurelius ducks down and throws a hook to the body but De Noteboom moves away.
The fight stays on the outside here - De Noteboom looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
De Noteboom uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Aurelius.
Aurelius scores with a decent looking hook.
Aurelius fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but De Noteboom avoids it really well and circles away.
Aurelius fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Aurelius looks to land a right hand but De Noteboom moved out of range.
Aurelius throws out a powerful jab.
Aurelius throws a jab when De Noteboom was well out of range.
De Noteboom staying out of range there.
De Noteboom fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aurelius ducks down and throws a hook to the body but De Noteboom moves away.
Aurelius misses the jab.
De Noteboom avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
De Noteboom cracks a nice hook into Aurelius's ribs.
De Noteboom defending well as Aurelius loads up on a big left hand.
Aurelius ducks down and throws a hook to the body but De Noteboom moves away.
De Noteboom lands with a straight right. Aurelius didn't see that one coming.
De Noteboom slips under a jab from Aurelius.
Aurelius is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by De Noteboom.
Aurelius drops his hands momentarily and De Noteboom takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Aurelius. De Noteboom does a little dance to reset his feet.
Aurelius swings for the body but De Noteboom moves out of range.
De Noteboom uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Aurelius.

Aurelius gets caught flat footed, as De Noteboom shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Noteboom throwing strikes but missing.
De Noteboom throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Aurelius works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
De Noteboom sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Aurelius's guard.
De Noteboom throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
De Noteboom slips a nice elbow through Aurelius's hands, connecting with Aurelius's forehead.
De Noteboom has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
De Noteboom is nestled in close to Aurelius, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Aurelius is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of De Noteboom's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take De Noteboom's back!
Aurelius doesn't have the hooks in and De Noteboom manages to turn into his guard.
Aurelius keeping moving, preventing De Noteboom from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Noteboom is fighting to break Aurelius's control of his arms but Aurelius is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
De Noteboom tries to free his leg and advance position but Aurelius is retaining full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as De Noteboom accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Aurelius looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Aurelius keeping moving, preventing De Noteboom from controlling successfully.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

De Noteboom closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Aurelius's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Noteboom throws a big elbow that misses.
Aurelius is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Aurelius passes the guard and advances to mount!
Aurelius lands with some vicious ground and pound - can De Noteboom hang on?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
De Noteboom is in a horrible position here. Aurelius smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Aurelius putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

De Noteboom shoots in for a takedown but Aurelius shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

It looks like Royston De Noteboom has been cut.
De Noteboom moves out of range as Aurelius strikes.
De Noteboom shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That has opened up Royston De Noteboom's cut even more.
Aurelius tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but De Noteboom was well out of range. Poor timing from Aurelius.
Aurelius swings for the body but De Noteboom moves out of range.
Aurelius tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but De Noteboom was well out of range. Poor timing from Aurelius.
Aurelius just misses with a punch to the body.
De Noteboom uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Aurelius.

De Noteboom darts in and clinches Aurelius up against the cage.
De Noteboom wants to take the fight to the mat but Aurelius manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
De Noteboom tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Aurelius's elbow.
Aurelius looking to stall.
Aurelius has De Noteboom pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. De Noteboom manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Aurelius has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. De Noteboom avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aurelius is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Aurelius lands a hook that snaps the head of De Noteboom backwards.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Aurelius lands a right hand that snaps the head of De Noteboom backwards.
Aurelius tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcus Aurelius. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aurelius wants to take the fight to the mat but De Noteboom manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
De Noteboom controlling the action here for a moment.
De Noteboom is looking to take this one to the mat.
Aurelius prevents a body shot from De Noteboom.
Aurelius working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Aurelius is looking to control De Noteboom's arms but De Noteboom gets an underhook and turns him. Now Aurelius has his back to the cage.

Aurelius gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aurelius postures up in De Noteboom's guard and throws a big left but De Noteboom blocks it.
Aurelius is looking to work some ground and pound but De Noteboom has wrist control.
Aurelius missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Aurelius has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Aurelius throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Marcus Aurelius overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
De Noteboom working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Aurelius.
Aurelius throwing strikes but missing.
De Noteboom avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Aurelius loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
De Noteboom keeping full guard, as Aurelius tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aurelius in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Aurelius scoring with some ground and pound.
De Noteboom manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Aurelius manages to get himself to full guard.
Aurelius bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in De Noteboom's guard.
Aurelius cracks De Noteboom with a solid left hand.
Aurelius wants to control from the top but De Noteboom keeps moving.
De Noteboom has Aurelius pulled in close to control his posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aurelius throws an elbow that misses. De Noteboom uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Aurelius's guard. Nice move by De Noteboom!
De Noteboom is working Aurelius over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
De Noteboom cracks Aurelius with a solid left hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
De Noteboom slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
De Noteboom throws a strike but Aurelius rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Aurelius looking to sit in guard and control but De Noteboom gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Aurelius dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Royston De Noteboom's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

De Noteboom throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Aurelius tries to bum rush De Noteboom with a series of wild strikes but De Noteboom uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Aurelius throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Aurelius misses with a double jab

and De Noteboom counters with a nice double leg into guard.
De Noteboom throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
De Noteboom is in close to Aurelius's body, working some short punches and elbows.
De Noteboom scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
De Noteboom scoring with some ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Aurelius keeping moving, preventing De Noteboom from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Noteboom trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
De Noteboom with a flurry of punches that miss.
De Noteboom postures up and lands a big shot to Aurelius's brow.
De Noteboom trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
De Noteboom in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
De Noteboom postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
De Noteboom trying to control but Aurelius is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Noteboom showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Aurelius avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
De Noteboom postures up in Aurelius's guard and throws a big left but Aurelius blocks it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as De Noteboom accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
De Noteboom is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
De Noteboom wants to pass the guard but Aurelius is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Aurelius misses with a body shot.
The fighters circling - Aurelius throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Aurelius rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and De Noteboom counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
De Noteboom slows the pace down in half guard.
De Noteboom is trying to control the action in half guard but Aurelius is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Noteboom seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
De Noteboom wants to take a breather but Aurelius is having none of it.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Royston De Noteboom.
De Noteboom gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Marcus Aurelius seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
De Noteboom digs a good body shot into Aurelius's ribs.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Aurelius fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches De Noteboom on the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from De Noteboom is defended easily by Aurelius.
Aurelius looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? De Noteboom is fending him off so far but Aurelius persists. Nope, De Noteboom circles away and we're back to standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Royston De Noteboom really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Royston De Noteboom's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Aurelius shoots in and drives through. De Noteboom sprawls well.
Aurelius just misses with a punch to the body.
Aurelius will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
The fight stays on the outside here - De Noteboom looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Aurelius shoots in for a takedown but De Noteboom shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcus Aurelius. That's going to take a lot out of him.
De Noteboom connects with a single shot there.
Aurelius changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. De Noteboom tries to avoid it but Aurelius manages to keep hold of a leg and drag De Noteboom to the ground. De Noteboom escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Aurelius misses with a right hand

and De Noteboom counters with a shoot takedown. Aurelius fights it but they end up in guard.
De Noteboom throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Aurelius works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
De Noteboom is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
De Noteboom trying to control the position from guard on top but Aurelius is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Noteboom throws a big elbow that misses.
De Noteboom trying to control but Aurelius is working from the bottom.
De Noteboom scoring with punches to the head and body.
De Noteboom engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Royston De Noteboom hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
De Noteboom displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Aurelius throws out the jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aurelius is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by De Noteboom.
No luck with that takedown attempt from De Noteboom.
Aurelius throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
De Noteboom cracks Aurelius with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
De Noteboom uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Aurelius.

De Noteboom dives in and scores a takedown into Aurelius's guard.
De Noteboom works over Aurelius with some ground and pound from guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
De Noteboom tries to free his leg and advance position but Aurelius is retaining full guard.
De Noteboom missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Noteboom throws a big right hand that misses.
De Noteboom pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Aurelius is keeping the position for now.
De Noteboom working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Aurelius's head.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for De Noteboom. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
De Noteboom is looking to work some ground and pound but Aurelius has wrist control.
De Noteboom looking to sit in guard and control but Aurelius gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
De Noteboom keeping moving, preventing Aurelius from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aurelius won't allow De Noteboom to sweep him here.
Aurelius distracts De Noteboom with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Aurelius keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of De Noteboom's head.
Aurelius trying to control the position from guard on top but De Noteboom is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Aurelius makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Aurelius trying to control but De Noteboom is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Royston De Noteboom dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Royston De Noteboom's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Aurelius throws a poor cross that misses
and Aurelius takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
De Noteboom keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Aurelius.
De Noteboom fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
De Noteboom scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Aurelius misses the shot to the body.
Aurelius swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and De Noteboom counters with a stiff right hand.
Marcus Aurelius is winning the standup battle so far.
Aurelius misses the jab.

Aurelius gets tackled into the cage by De Noteboom. De Noteboom maintains the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for De Noteboom.

Aurelius pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Aurelius lands a slapping body shot.
Aurelius throws a poor cross that misses

and De Noteboom counters by moving into the clinch.
De Noteboom trying to control the position but instead, Aurelius has worked for underhooks and has pushed De Noteboom into the cage.
Aurelius throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aurelius blocks an uppercut.
Aurelius is trying to work for a single leg takedown but De Noteboom pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Aurelius prevents the takedown attempt.
Aurelius misses with a short punch on the inside.
De Noteboom blocking some punches.

Aurelius pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Aurelius connects with a body shot.
De Noteboom shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Aurelius sprawls well. Aurelius wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. De Noteboom gets slowly back to his feet.
Aurelius rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and De Noteboom counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
De Noteboom gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Aurelius.
Aurelius throws a hook but De Noteboom avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Aurelius misses.
De Noteboom avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Aurelius throws a big shot that misses.
Aurelius shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has De Noteboom pinned against the cage. De Noteboom gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
De Noteboom shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Aurelius as he avoids it easily.
Marcus Aurelius has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Royston De Noteboom.
Aurelius waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract De Noteboom.
Aurelius throws a right hand that De Noteboom ducks under and follows up with a left that De Noteboom also avoids with ease.
Aurelius misses the jab.
Aurelius looks to throw the jab but De Noteboom is out of range.

De Noteboom darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Aurelius is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aurelius is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
De Noteboom throws a strike but Aurelius avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
De Noteboom postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
De Noteboom's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Aurelius wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Noteboom content to stall in guard here.
De Noteboom throws a big right hand that misses.
De Noteboom wants to control from the top but Aurelius keeps moving.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Royston De Noteboom hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Aurelius pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
De Noteboom throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Aurelius's waist but Aurelius gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing De Noteboom off to one side.
De Noteboom swings and misses with a hook to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Royston De Noteboom.
I think De Noteboom 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight for Royston De Noteboom!
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight for Royston De Noteboom!
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight for Royston De Noteboom!

Royston De Noteboom wins by unanimous decision!
Royston De Noteboom is the new heavyweight champion!