PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Travis Overeem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luke Duke (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.

Overeem
vs
Duke

192 cm
19
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
23
270 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
KO power

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Travis Overeem!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Luke Duke!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Jorge Garcia and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Overeem defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Duke.
Overeem throws a nice head kick!

It looks like Luke Duke has been cut.
Duke throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Overeem's waist but Overeem gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Duke off to one side.
Duke tries for a takedown but Overeem circles away easily

and Overeem counters by moving into the clinch.
Travis Overeem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luke Duke.
Overeem gets through Duke's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Duke takes a shot to the head.
Overeem lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Duke or not.
Duke blocks an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Overeem landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Duke has Overeem pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Overeem manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Duke is trying to drag Overeem to the mat but Overeem just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Overeem.
Overeem misses with a short punch on the inside.
Duke is looking for a takedown.
A short right from Overeem.
Duke has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Overeem after a bit of a struggle.
Overeem connects with a nasty looking knee right to Duke's face.
Overeem has a couple of punches blocked by Duke.
Overeem misses with a hook from the clinch.
Overeem scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Overeem throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Dukes head.
Overeem working aggressively here.
Duke has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Overeem avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Duke is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Overeem gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Overeem scores with a knee to the head.
Stalling in the clinch from Overeem.
Overeem tries to throw a body punch but Duke avoids it by throwing Overeem back against the cage.
Duke is trying to drag Overeem to the mat but Overeem just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Duke wants to take the fight to the mat but Overeem manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duke wants a takedown but no success here.
Overeem tries a body shot but Duke blocks it.
Overeem lands a knee to the head.
Overeem scores a nice knee to the body.
Duke takes a knee right on the jaw!
Overeem holding his opponent close, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Overeem lands a nice knee to the body.
Overeem has Duke pressed against the cage.
Knees to the body from Overeem.
Duke blocking some punches.
Overeem is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Overeem is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Duke tries to score a body lock takedown but Overeem shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Travis Overeem dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Luke Duke's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Duke is defended easily by Overeem.
Overeem tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Overeem landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Overeem stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
A short right from Overeem on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Overeem lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Overeem tries a body shot but Duke blocks it.
Duke goes for a takedown in the clinch but Overeem prevents it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Overeem throws a knee to the head but misses.
Overeem unloads a knee to the mid-section. Duke lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Overeem swings wildly with an uppercut but Duke uses good head movement to avoid it.
Travis Overeem has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Overeem gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Duke.
Travis Overeem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luke Duke.
A knee to the head by Overeem.
Overeem taking a breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Overeem gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Overeem here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Overeem misses with a knee to the head.
Overeem displaying some good clinch control by pressing Duke up against the cage.
Overeem throws a head punch that misses.
Duke goes for a takedown attempt but Overeem pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Overeem is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Duke can do to turn this around?
Overeem stuffs the takedown attempt from Duke. Duke gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duke fails with the takedown.
Duke closes the distance and clinches up with Overeem, looking for a takedown. Duke pushes Overeem against the cage but Overeem circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Overeem lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Overeem pushes Duke back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Duke blocking some punches.
Overeem will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Duke up against the cage.
Overeem lands a right hand.
Overeem tries a body shot but Duke blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Overeem is pressed up against the cage. Duke has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Overeem down to the mat. Overeem avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Duke shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Overeem defends it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Travis Overeem dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Luke Duke's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Overeem tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Duke manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Duke drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Overeem defends it well.

Overeem fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Duke, pushing him back against the cage.
Come on Overeem - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Overeem.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Overeem misses with the head strike.
Overeem gets underhooks to prevent Duke's takedown attempt.
Duke blocking some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Overeem slows down the pace here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Overeem.
Overeem misses with a punch on the inside.
Overeem holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Overeem tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Overeem with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Overeem misses with a knee to the head.
Overeem just leaning against Duke, taking a breather.
Overeem throws a knee to the head but misses.
Overeem gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Duke.
Overeem effectively controlling the action here.
Overeem seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Travis Overeem.
Overeem leaves Duke with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Travis Overeem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luke Duke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Overeem moves into the clinch.
Duke changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Overeem fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Duke swats away the attempt to clinch by Overeem.
Duke swats away the attempt to clinch by Overeem.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Duke.
Overeem appears to be looking for a big counter.
Travis Overeem is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Overeem slaps away a takedown attempt from Duke, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Overeem is looking to counter the offense by Duke and move into the clinch.
Duke looks for a takedown but Overeem sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Overeem is looking to clinch.
Duke with the counter takedown but Overeem avoids it easily.
Overeem keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Overeem appears to be looking for a big counter.
Duke takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Duke avoiding damage as Overeem throws knees to the body.
Overeem taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Overeem tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Overeem tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Duke drops down looking for an ankle pick but Overeem pulls his leg out and moves away.

Overeem takes the fight into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Travis Overeem showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Overeem has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:24
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:24
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:24

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Travis Overeem!
A victorious Travis Overeem thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.