PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Erick Rootmans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Wayne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rootmans comes to the ring accompanied by Busta Rhymes - Put your hands where my eyes can see. Erick Rootmans has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rootmans
vs
Wayne

190 cm
28
210 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

192 cm
26
207 lbs
4 - 7 - 0

Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

Great elbows
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Erick Rootmans!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, John Wayne!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Paulsen Ambrosius and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wayne connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Rootmans's hands.
A head kick misses from Wayne.
Rootmans takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

Rootmans has closed the distance and engaged Wayne in a clinch.
Wayne is trying to break the clinch but Rootmans is controlling him.
Wayne lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Wayne is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Rootmans connects with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Wayne.
Rootmans connects with a knee to the head.

It looks like John Wayne has been cut.
Wayne wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Wayne blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rootmans throws a knee to the head but misses.
Wayne throws a punch but it's blocked by Rootmans.

Rootmans breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
John Wayne seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wayne misses with a body kick.
Rootmans moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wayne misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Wayne has taken the fight to the clinch.
Rootmans with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Rootmans misses with a knee to the head.
Wayne tries a body shot but Rootmans blocks it.
Rootmans tries to land a knee to the head but Wayne blocks with his arms.

Rootmans manages to break the clinch.
Wayne misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Rootmans fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Wayne, pushing him back against the ropes.
Wayne managing to block the knees to the body from Rootmans.
Rootmans throws a knee to the head but misses.
A head punch on the inside from Wayne fails to land.
Rootmans throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Wayne blocks it with crossed arms.
Rootmans tries a knee to the head but Wayne blocks it.
Rootmans throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Wayne blocks it with crossed arms.
Rootmans landing some nice looking knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wayne wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rootmans has him pressed against the ropes.
Rootmans misses with a knee to the head.
Rootmans with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Wayne has had enough of the clinch but Rootmans keeps him there for the moment.
I was talking to Rootmans's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Rootmans scores with a knee to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Wayne tries a knee to the head but Rootmans blocks it.
Rootmans landing knees to the head.

Rootmans escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rootmans fails in his attempt to clinch.

Wayne clinches with his opponent.
Rootmans throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Wayne blocks it with crossed arms.
Wayne wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rootmans connects with a nasty looking knee right to Wayne's face.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Wayne lands with a short shot to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Rootmans.
A knee to the head by Rootmans.
Wayne throws a head punch that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erick Rootmans dominated that round.
The cut man is working on John Wayne's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rootmans misses with a double jab.
Wayne looks to land a body kick but Rootmans moved away.
Wayne throws a nice looking combination but Rootmans bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rootmans tries to clinch up.
Rootmans dodges the punch combination from Wayne.

Rootmans moves into the clinch.

Rootmans manages to break the clinch.
Rootmans's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Rootmans duly obliges.
Donk. Rootmans catches Wayne right on the button with a cross.
Wayne throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Wayne lands with a kick to the temple. Rootmans shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Wayne throws a right hand that Rootmans ducks under and follows up with a left that Rootmans also avoids with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wayne throws a body kick that misses.

Wayne instigates a clinch.
Rootmans tries to land knees in the clinch but Wayne avoids the damage to the body.
Wayne tries to throw a body punch but Rootmans avoids it by throwing Wayne back against the ropes.
Wayne tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rootmans tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rootmans tries to land a knee to the head but Wayne blocks with his arms.
Rootmans with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Rootmans tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rootmans connects with a nasty looking knee right to Wayne's face.
Wayne swings wildly with an uppercut but Rootmans uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wayne is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Rootmans keeps control of Wayne as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Erick Rootmans has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Rootmans breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rootmans scores with a one two! Wayne had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wayne pushes Rootmans up against the ropes in a clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Wayne takes a knee to the side of the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Wayne tries to circle away but Rootmans has him pinned against the ropes.
Rootmans using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Wayne has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Rootmans manages to break the clinch.
Wayne lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rootmans circles away quickly and effectively.

Wayne moves into the clinch.
Rootmans with a knee to the head.
Rootmans utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Rootmans unloads a knee to the mid-section.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Wayne can't break the clinch.
Rootmans scores with a knee to the head.
Rootmans looking to throw knees to the head but Wayne is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erick Rootmans dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on John Wayne's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rootmans throws a series of punches but Wayne moves out of range.

Wayne gets a clinch.
Rootmans blocking some punches.
Rootmans tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Rootmans landing knees to the head.
Rootmans misses with a knee strike.

Rootmans's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Wayne has Rootmans up against the ropes in a clinch.
Rootmans avoids a wild elbow strike from Wayne.
Wayne misses with an elbow over the top.

Rootmans breaks the clinch.
Wayne looks to throw a body kick
and Rootmans counters with a two punch combo.
Wayne tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wayne moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Wayne clinches with his opponent.

Rootmans breaks from the clinch.

Wayne gets a clinch.
Rootmans scores a nice knee to the body.

Rootmans pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Rootmans rushes Wayne and presses him up against the ropes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wayne working hard to break the clinch.
Rootmans tries to land a knee to the head but Wayne blocks with his arms.
Rootmans landing knees to the head.
Rootmans lands a knee to the body.
Wayne takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Rootmans pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rootmans lands a leg kick that knocks Wayne off balance momentarily.
Wayne throws a series of punches but Rootmans avoids them all with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wayne looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Wayne misses with a series of wild punches.
Wayne throws a head kick that misses.
Wayne throws a body shot but no joy.
Wayne gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Rootmans counters with a slapping leg kick.

Rootmans moves into the clinch successfully.
Rootmans tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rootmans connects with a nasty looking knee right to Wayne's face.
Rootmans looking to throw knees to the head but Wayne is blocking nicely.
Rootmans scores with a knee to the head.
Wayne is trying to push Rootmans away but Rootmans has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erick Rootmans clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on John Wayne'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.

Wayne swats away the attempt to clinch by Rootmans.
Rootmans tries a head kick but it misses.
Rootmans wants to clinch.
Wayne lands a jab.

Wayne drives through and clinches with Rootmans against the ropes.
Rootmans lands a nice knee to the body.
Wayne tries to circle away but Rootmans has him pinned against the ropes.
Rootmans keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Wayne's efforts to push away.
Rootmans connects with a nasty looking knee right to Wayne's face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rootmans throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Wayne blocks it with crossed arms.
Wayne throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Rootmans's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Wayne throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A head kick by Wayne misses
and Rootmans counters with a leg kick.

Wayne tries to keep at a distance but Rootmans has taken the fight into the clinch.
Wayne wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rootmans tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Wayne tries to circle away but Rootmans has him pinned against the ropes.
Rootmans misses with a knee to the head.
Rootmans tries to land knees in the clinch but Wayne avoids the damage to the body.
Rootmans working Wayne over with knees to the body.
Rootmans misses with a knee strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wayne misses with a knee strike.
Rootmans tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rootmans using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Wayne has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Wayne stalling in the clinch but Rootmans improves position.
Wayne wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Wayne can't break the clinch.
Rootmans tries to land a knee to the head but Wayne blocks with his arms.
Wayne tries to circle away but Rootmans has him pinned against the ropes.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Wayne has had enough of the clinch but Rootmans keeps him there for the moment.
Wayne tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Wayne is trying to break free.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rootmans missing with knees to the body.
Rootmans using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Rootmans's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Wayne throws a head kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erick Rootmans had his way with John Wayne in that round.
The cut man is working on John Wayne's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Wayne drives through and clinches with Rootmans against the ropes.
Rootmans keeps control of Wayne as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Wayne avoiding damage as Rootmans throws knees to the body.
Rootmans lands a knee to the body.
John Wayne has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wayne tries to break the clinch but Rootmans is controlling the position.
Rootmans lands a knee to the head.
Wayne with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rootmans misses with a knee to the head.
Rootmans blocks an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rootmans.
Rootmans prevents a body shot from Wayne.
Rootmans missing with knees to the body.
Rootmans using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Wayne has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Wayne pushes off an throws an elbow but Rootmans leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A knee to the head by Rootmans.
Rootmans with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rootmans throws a knee to the head but misses.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Rootmans with a knee to the head.
Rootmans tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Wayne avoids it.
Rootmans lands a knee to the head.
A frustrated look appears on Wayne's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Rootmans tries to land a knee to the head but Wayne blocks with his arms.
Wayne takes a knee right on the jaw!
Rootmans keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Wayne's efforts to push away.
Rootmans prevents Wayne from breaking the clinch.
Rootmans tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Wayne unloads a knee to the mid-section. Rootmans lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Wayne lands a damaging elbow.
Rootmans tries to land a knee to the head but Wayne blocks with his arms.
Wayne lands a right hand.
Rootmans on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wayne looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A short body shot lands from Wayne as the two fighters clinch.
Wayne looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Rootmans keeps control of Wayne as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Rootmans looking to throw knees to the head but Wayne is blocking nicely.
Rootmans throws a knee to the head but misses.
Rootmans has Wayne pressed against the ropes, preventing Wayne from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Rootmans wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rootmans misses with a knee to the head.
Wayne tries a knee to the head but Rootmans blocks it.
Rootmans missing with knees to the body.
Wayne blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Wayne lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Erick Rootmans has been cut.
Rootmans misses with a knee to the head.
Wayne lands a damaging elbow.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Wayne.
Rootmans blocking some punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Erick Rootmans.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rootmans, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Albert Achterberg scores the fight 50:46
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 49:46
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Erick Rootmans!
In his post fight interview, Erick Rootmans started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.
The defeated John Wayne had this to say: '"Out here, due process is a bullet!" '.