PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Elias Eberhard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Haplopelma Hainanum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hainanum is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Kryptonite by Three Doors Down. Haplopelma Hainanum will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Eberhard
vs
Hainanum

184 cm
27
225 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

190 cm
28
223 lbs
17 - 6 - 0

Great wrestler
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Good gas tank

Tab laundry WEEK

Fight Night Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Elias Eberhard!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Haplopelma Hainanum!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Albert Achterberg and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hainanum tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Eberhard manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hainanum tries a head kick but it misses.
Hainanum tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Eberhard counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Hainanum!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Eberhard working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Hainanum tries to improve position but can't.
Eberhard has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Eberhard working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Hainanum manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Hainanum wants to control but Eberhard is keeping him busy.
Eberhard wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Eberhard connecting with a few gentle strikes.
Eberhard gets back to full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hainanum won't allow Eberhard to sweep him here.
Eberhard has Hainanum pulled in close to control his posture.
Eberhard wants to sweep here but Hainanum controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hainanum is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Hainanum preventing the sweep.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Eberhard is on top in guard.
Hainanum is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Eberhard is controlling him.
Eberhard trying to control the position from guard on top but Hainanum is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hainanum looking for a sweep. Not yet Hainanum, not yet.
Hainanum preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Eberhard throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hainanum looking to hit a scissor sweep but Eberhard is one step ahead there.
Hainanum keeping moving, preventing Eberhard from controlling successfully.
Hainanum avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Eberhard accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hainanum is trying to control the position but Eberhard postures up.
Eberhard lands a couple of digs.
Hainanum wants to stand but Eberhard is controlling the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Eberhard in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Eberhard missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Eberhard accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Eberhard preventing the sweep.
Eberhard makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hainanum keeping moving, preventing Eberhard from controlling successfully.
Eberhard works over Hainanum with some ground and pound from guard.
Hainanum keeping moving, preventing Eberhard from controlling successfully.
Hainanum has momentary wrist control but Eberhard slips an elbow through the middle.
Eberhard throws a strike but Hainanum rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Eberhard is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hainanum controlling from the top position.
Eberhard is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eberhard is trying to control the position but Hainanum postures up.
Eberhard looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hainanum wants to pass the guard but Eberhard is keeping the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Elias Eberhard wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Hainanum tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Eberhard paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Eberhard swats away the attempt to clinch by Hainanum.
Hainanum steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Eberhard.
Hainanum tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Eberhard counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Eberhard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Eberhard trying to move into half guard but instead Hainanum has managed to sweep!
Eberhard looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Hainanum puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elias Eberhard dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Eberhard swats away the attempt to clinch by Hainanum.
Hainanum fails in his attempt to clinch.
Eberhard shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hainanum as he jumps to the side.
Hainanum throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Hainanum moves to clinch but Eberhard breaks away

and Eberhard decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Hainanum's guard.
Eberhard throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Elias Eberhard overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hainanum is trying to control the position from the bottom.
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!
Eberhard scoring with some ground and pound.
Eberhard keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hainanum's head.
Hainanum controls Eberhard momentarily but Eberhard frees himself.
Eberhard loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eberhard postures up in Hainanum's guard and throws a big left but Hainanum blocks it.
Eberhard missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Eberhard postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hainanum keeping moving, preventing Eberhard from controlling successfully.
Eberhard with a nice head shot there.
Hainanum wants to stand and escape but Eberhard is having none of it.
Eberhard is in close to Hainanum's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Eberhard scoring with punches to the head and body.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hainanum is on top in guard.
Eberhard has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Hainanum has passed into side control.
Eberhard is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Hainanum is one step ahead and moves to full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Eberhard tries to improve his position but instead Hainanum has taken his back!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Eberhard staying busy and making it hard for Hainanum to control.
Eberhard breaks Hainanum's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Eberhard throwing strikes from guard but Hainanum blocks nicely.
Eberhard throws a big right hand that misses.
Eberhard lands a couple of digs.
Eberhard cracks Hainanum with a solid left hand.
Eberhard is looking to work some ground and pound but Hainanum has wrist control.
Eberhard chips away with some ground and pound.
Eberhard missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hainanum is adopting a defensive guard.
Eberhard won't allow Hainanum to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hainanum working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Eberhard.
Eberhard connects with a couple of short punches.
Eberhard is looking to work some ground and pound but Hainanum has wrist control.
Eberhard trying to control the position from guard on top but Hainanum is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hainanum is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hainanum looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Eberhard's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Eberhard makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Eberhard looking to sit in guard and control but Hainanum gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Eberhard looking for a sweep. Not yet Eberhard, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Eberhard is working hard here to advance position.
Eberhard working a defensive guard here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Eberhard is really struggling to control Hainanum but he's trying to hold on to the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elias Eberhard dominated that second round.
That's time! Eberhard's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

That kick from Hainanum tenderised Eberhard's leg. Eberhard is trying to keep his angry face on.
Haplopelma Hainanum seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice sprawl there from Hainanum as Eberhard shoots in.
Hainanum tries to clinch up but Eberhard circles away and keeps his distance.
Eberhard misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hainanum bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Eberhard shoots in but Hainanum avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Elias Eberhard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hainanum tries to land a front kick but Eberhard steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Haplopelma Hainanum is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Eberhard keeps the fight on the outside.

Hainanum gets a clinch.
Hainanum tries a knee to the head but Eberhard blocks it.
Hainanum landing knees to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hainanum tries to land knees in the clinch but Eberhard avoids the damage to the body.
Eberhard managing to block the knees to the body from Hainanum.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hainanum lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Hainanum keeps control of Eberhard as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Eberhard changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hainanum fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Eberhard dives in and grabs Hainanum's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hainanum pushes down on Eberhard's head and hops out.

Eberhard shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Hainanum is trying to defend but Eberhard finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Eberhard prevents Hainanum from improving his position.
Hainanum works his way to full guard. Good work.
Eberhard wants to control from the top but Hainanum keeps moving.
Eberhard throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hainanum works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eberhard throws a big right hand that misses.
Eberhard won't allow Hainanum to sweep him here.
Eberhard postures up.
Eberhard working some strikes from top position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Eberhard trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Eberhard trying to control but Hainanum is working from the bottom.
Eberhard is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Hainanum working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Eberhard.
Hainanum is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hainanum utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Eberhard landing with the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hainanum working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Eberhard.
Eberhard scoring with punches to the head and body.
Eberhard keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hainanum's head.
Hainanum wants to stand up but Eberhard is controlling him.
Eberhard is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Eberhard lands a couple of digs.

Hainanum kicks Eberhard off and gets to his feet.
Hainanum is looking to clinch but Eberhard is avoiding it.
Hainanum tries to clinch there but Eberhard circles away.
Hainanum tries to clinch there but Eberhard circles away.
Eberhard circles away from the clinch attempt.
Eberhard looks to score with a jab to the body but Hainanum is just out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eberhard just misses with a punch to the body.
Hainanum fails in his attempt to clinch.
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!
Hainanum misses with a kick to the body.
Hainanum moves in looking to clinch but Eberhard pushes him off.

Hainanum darts in and clinches Eberhard up against the cage.
Eberhard tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hainanum just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hainanum lands a body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hainanum lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Hainanum misses with an elbow over the top.
Hainanum is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Eberhard is defending well for now.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hainanum missing with knees to the body.
Hainanum throws a knee to the head but misses.
Eberhard tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Haplopelma Hainanum just about did enough to take it.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hainanum tries to grapple but his opponent circles

so Eberhard counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Hainanum avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Eberhard throws a big elbow that misses.
Hainanum keeping moving, preventing Eberhard from controlling successfully.
Eberhard postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hainanum 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.
Hainanum bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Eberhard's guard.
Eberhard keeping moving, preventing Hainanum from controlling successfully.
Eberhard controls Hainanum momentarily but Hainanum frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eberhard wants to sweep here but Hainanum controlling him for the moment.
Eberhard is pulling down on Hainanum's head to control his posture.
Hainanum wants to control from the top but Eberhard keeps moving.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Haplopelma Hainanum wasn't active enough on the ground.
Hainanum tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Eberhard paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hainanum tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Eberhard counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Eberhard is looking to work some ground and pound but Hainanum has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eberhard with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hainanum looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Eberhard with a nice head shot there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Eberhard is in close to Hainanum's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Hainanum looking for a sweep. Not yet Hainanum, not yet.
Eberhard trying to control the position from guard on top but Hainanum is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Eberhard is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Eberhard makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Hainanum trying to keep a closed guard but Eberhard is proving a slippery customer.
Eberhard makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Hainanum working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Eberhard.
Eberhard 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hainanum avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Eberhard trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Eberhard trying to control but Hainanum is working from the bottom.
Eberhard chips away with some ground and pound.
Hainanum keeping full guard, as Eberhard tries to pass.
Eberhard wants to control from the top but Hainanum keeps moving.
Hainanum is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Eberhard scoring with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hainanum keeping moving, preventing Eberhard from controlling successfully.
Eberhard postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hainanum utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hainanum 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.
Eberhard passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Eberhard landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hainanum tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Eberhard wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Hainanum is trying to control Eberhard's posture but Eberhard avoids it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Eberhard scoring with punches from side control.
Eberhard scores with a couple of short elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elias Eberhard had his way with Haplopelma Hainanum in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Eberhard swats away the attempt to clinch by Hainanum.
Eberhard fails with the takedown.
Hainanum tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Eberhard counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Hainanum is looking to improve his position.
Hainanum trying to control here.
Eberhard prevents Hainanum from improving his position.
Eberhard slips a nice elbow through Hainanum's hands, connecting with Hainanum's forehead.
Hainanum is trying to maintain the position but Eberhard is very close to passing his half guard.
Hainanum is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eberhard takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Eberhard is trying to control. Hainanum wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Eberhard throwing shots but Hainanum is blocking nicely.
Eberhard seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hainanum does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Eberhard missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Eberhard prevents Hainanum from standing back up.
Eberhard thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hainanum's head.
Eberhard wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hainanum keeps working.
Hainanum keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Eberhard sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hainanum defending well though.
Eberhard trying to control the action but Hainanum is working from the bottom.
Eberhard landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Haplopelma Hainanum has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hainanum is doing well to control the position and prevent Eberhard from advancing to side control.
Eberhard thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hainanum's head.
Eberhard lands strikes from half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Eberhard thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Eberhard is trying to control. Hainanum wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Eberhard missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Hainanum misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Hainanum slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Eberhard lands a couple of digs.

Hainanum is rocked!
Eberhard keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hainanum's head.
Hainanum is still in real trouble! Can Eberhard finish him?
Eberhard pushes down on Hainanum's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Eberhard lands a massive shot from half guard that has rocked Hainanum! More strikes land and this one is all over! Eberhard jumps to his feet and is applauded loudly by the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:18 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Elias Eberhard!
Elias Eberhard retains his light heavyweight title!
Elias Eberhard decided to call for a title shot in his post fight interview, which was very strange given the fact this fight was for a title and he's already the champion. I guess that's what getting punched in the head does for you.