PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rico Verhoeven (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nathan Goffard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Verhoeven
vs
Goffard

196 cm
26
242 lbs
1 - 8 - 0

190 cm
24
245 lbs
3 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rico Verhoeven!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nathan Goffard!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Marco Blurström and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Goffard throws a good cross that connects.
Goffard dodges the punch combination from Verhoeven.

Verhoeven instigates a clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Verhoeven working hard to break the clinch.
Goffard has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Goffard breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Verhoeven is trying to force a seperation but Goffard has the dominant position.
Verhoeven has had enough of the clinch but Goffard keeps him there for the moment.

Goffard has clasped his hands together around Verhoeven's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Goffard is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.

Goffard decides to stand back up.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Verhoeven throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Verhoeven gets a clinch.
Verhoeven landing knees to the head.

It looks like Nathan Goffard has been cut.
Verhoeven tries to circle away but Goffard has him pinned against the cage.
Goffard wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Verhoeven has him pressed against the cage.
Verhoeven has had enough of the clinch but Goffard keeps him there for the moment.
Goffard lands with a light punch inside.
Verhoeven wants to break the clinch but can't.

Verhoeven pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Goffard dodges the punch combination from Verhoeven.
Goffard misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Goffard throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Verhoeven.

Verhoeven fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Goffard, pushing him back against the cage.
Goffard working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Goffard lands a nice uppercut.

Goffard breaks from the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Goffard should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Goffard breaks the clinch.
Goffard throws a good cross that connects.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Verhoeven throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Verhoeven closes the distance and clinches.
Goffard lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Verhoeven tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Goffard lands with a short shot to the head.

Goffard jumps guard and drags Verhoeven to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Goffard kicks Verhoeven off and gets to his feet.
Some wild striking there from Verhoeven.

Goffard has Verhoeven up against the cage in a clinch.
Goffard takes a knee right on the jaw!
Goffard lands with a light punch inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verhoeven looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Goffard gets control of Verhoeven's arms and successfully pulls guard. Goffard will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Goffard is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Goffard pushes Verhoeven off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Verhoeven tries to sprawl but Goffard drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Goffard escapes and gets back to his feet.

Verhoeven instigates a clinch.

Goffard has hold of one of Verhoeven's legs. Verhoeven is fighting the takedown attempt but Goffard gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Goffard content to stall in guard here.
Let's hope that Goffard has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Verhoeven is working an open guard so Goffard takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Verhoeven gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Goffard has Verhoeven pressed against the cage, preventing Verhoeven from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Goffard breaks the clinch.
Goffard misses with the combination.

Verhoeven clinches.
Verhoeven tries to circle away but Goffard has him pinned against the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Verhoeven is trying to push Goffard away but Goffard has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Verhoeven working hard to break the clinch.
Verhoeven tries to circle away but Goffard has him pinned against the cage.
Verhoeven throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Goffard blocks it with crossed arms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathan Goffard dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nathan Goffard's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Verhoeven moves into the clinch.
Verhoeven tries to break free but Goffard pushes him back against the cage.

Verhoeven's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Goffard fails to land with a series of punches.

Verhoeven has closed the distance and engaged Goffard in a clinch.
Goffard is trying to break the clinch but Verhoeven is controlling him.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Goffard breaks from the clinch.

Verhoeven takes the fight into the clinch.
Goffard is looking to break free of the clinch but Verhoeven has double underhooks.
Goffard working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Goffard breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Goffard closes the distance and pushes Verhoeven back into the cage.

Goffard has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Verhoeven regains guard immediately.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Goffard looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Goffard stands and steps away. Verhoeven gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Verhoeven clinches up with Goffard and pushes him back against the cage.

Goffard breaks from the clinch.
Verhoeven fails to land with a series of punches.
Verhoeven throws a head kick that misses.
Rico Verhoeven seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Goffard misses with a double jab.

Verhoeven closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Verhoeven looking to slow down the pace here.
Rico Verhoeven has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Goffard lands a hook that snaps the head of Verhoeven backwards.
Verhoeven is trying to break the clinch but Goffard is controlling him.

Goffard breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Verhoeven closes the distance and clinches.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Goffard as Verhoeven tries to tie him up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Goffard lands a hook that snaps the head of Verhoeven backwards.
Verhoeven missing with knees to the body.

Verhoeven breaks the clinch.

Verhoeven gets caught napping as Goffard dives in and scores a takedown. Verhoeven manages to retain guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Goffard passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Goffard in side control, just content to control the action for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Goffard decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Verhoeven falls off balance throwing a combination
and Goffard counters with a nice uppercut.

Verhoeven fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Goffard, pushing him back against the cage.
Verhoeven looking to throw knees to the head but Goffard is blocking nicely.

Goffard decides to pull guard.
Goffard has his hands on Verhoeven's head, controlling the position.
Verhoeven has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Goffard is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Verhoeven knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Goffard on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goffard seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Goffard kicks Verhoeven off and gets to his feet.

Verhoeven forces Goffard back against the cage and clinches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Goffard's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Verhoeven!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Verhoeven gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Goffard lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathan Goffard showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Nathan Goffard's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Verhoeven connects with a high kick.

Goffard shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Goffard decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Verhoeven fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Goffard looks to land a combination but Verhoeven avoids it well.

Goffard clinches with his opponent.
Goffard takes a knee right on the jaw!
Verhoeven tries to circle away but Goffard has him pinned against the cage.

Goffard has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Verhoeven uses from the top position.
Goffard has his hands on Verhoeven's head, controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Goffard pushes Verhoeven off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Verhoeven misses with a jab, cross combination.
Verhoeven throws a sloppy head kick and Goffard moves out of range easily.

Verhoeven has closed the distance and engaged Goffard in a clinch.
Goffard gets through Verhoeven's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Verhoeven stalling in the clinch but Goffard improves position.
Verhoeven is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Verhoeven is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Goffard turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Goffard prevents Verhoeven from escaping the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Goffard decides to stand back up. Goffard steps back and let's Verhoeven get back to his feet.
Goffard swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Goffard blocks a head kick by Verhoeven.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Goffard throws a right hand that Verhoeven ducks under and follows up with a left that Verhoeven also avoids with ease.
Goffard misses with a series of wild punches.
Goffard throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Goffard tries to keep at a distance but Verhoeven has taken the fight into the clinch.
Verhoeven tries to land a knee to the head but Goffard blocks with his arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goffard keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Verhoeven's efforts to push away.
Verhoeven misses with a knee strike.

Goffard breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Goffard throws a right hand that Verhoeven ducks under and follows up with a left that Verhoeven also avoids with ease.
Goffard fails to land with a series of punches.
Goffard throws a right and a left that Verhoeven avoids nicely.
Rico Verhoeven is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Goffard takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Verhoeven misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Verhoeven throws a head kick but Goffard moves out of range.
Verhoeven throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Goffard counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Verhoeven is rocked!
Verhoeven slips a jab and a cross from Goffard.
Oh Verhoeven is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Goffard is stalking Verhoeven. Verhoeven circles to his left. Keeps circling left. Bam! Straight right from Goffard, and it's lights out! Verhoeven really payed the price for that rookie mistake.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:50 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Nathan Goffard!