PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hendrik Vermeulen (ranked 258 p4p, 37 weight class) and Murray Rothbard (ranked 1132 p4p, 162 weight class). Rothbard has chosen Anarchy as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Vermeulen
vs
Rothbard

187 cm
24
206 lbs
15 - 4 - 0

187 cm
24
210 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Arcticus University: London
BuriedAlive// Fight Gear

Urban Fighter

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 15 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Hendrik Vermeulen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Murray Rothbard!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shirou Masuda and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rothbard bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Vermeulen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Vermeulen takes the fight into the clinch.
We've been hearing reports that Vermeulen has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
A nice left hand lands by Vermeulen.
Vermeulen scores with a shoulder strike.
Rothbard misses with a body punch.
Rothbard misses with a hook from the clinch.
Vermeulen has a couple of punches blocked by Rothbard.
Vermeulen scores with a shoulder strike.
Rothbard lands a body punch.
Vermeulen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rothbard doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Vermeulen misses with the head strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rothbard's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Rothbard scores with a shoulder strike.
Rothbard misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rothbard tries to throw a body punch but Vermeulen avoids it by throwing Rothbard back against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rothbard softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Rothbard misses with a short punch on the inside.
Vermeulen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rothbard's elbow.
Vermeulen blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rothbard lands a nice uppercut.
Rothbard misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rothbard tries to throw a body punch but Vermeulen avoids it by throwing Rothbard back against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Vermeulen.
Rothbard scores with a shoulder strike.
Rothbard blocking some punches.
A short right from Rothbard.
Vermeulen can't find room to land a body shot as Rothbard controls the action.
Vermeulen throws a punch but it's blocked by Rothbard.
Rothbard scores with a shoulder strike.
A right hook to the body lands for Vermeulen.
Rothbard tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rothbard doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rothbard has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Vermeulen seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Rothbard can turn it around.
Vermeulen is working Rothbard over against the cage.
Vermeulen lands an uppercut.
Vermeulen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rothbard misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A nice left hand lands by Vermeulen.
Rothbard misses with a hook to the ribs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vermeulen blocking some punches.
Vermeulen pushes Rothbard back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rothbard scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Vermeulen.
Vermeulen digs a right hand underneath Rothbard's ribcage. Rothbard let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Rothbard misses with the head strike.
A right handed body shot lands from Vermeulen.
Rothbard looks winded!
Vermeulen lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Vermeulen lands with a left to the head.
Rothbard blocks a body shot from Vermeulen.
Rothbard can't find room to land a body shot as Vermeulen controls the action.
Still in the clinch, Rothbard scores with a nice short uppercut.
Rothbard tries to work over Vermeulen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Vermeulen lands a body shot in the clinch.
Rothbard misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short right from Vermeulen.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rothbard.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Vermeulen creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Vermeulen works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A short right from Vermeulen.
Vermeulen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Vermeulen struggles to land a body shot inside as Rothbard controls his hands.
Rothbard misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rothbard presses Vermeulen against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Rothbard wants to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rothbard gets underhooks to prevent Vermeulen's takedown attempt.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Vermeulen.
A nice left hand lands by Vermeulen.
Rothbard misses with a punch to the body.
Rothbard presses Vermeulen against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Vermeulen blocks an uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Vermeulen.
A short right from Vermeulen on the inside.
Vermeulen cracks Rothbard with a nice body shot.
Vermeulen scores with a shoulder strike.
Vermeulen is working Rothbard over against the cage.
Rothbard tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Vermeulen lands an uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Vermeulen creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Vermeulen throws a head punch that misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vermeulen lands a hook to the side of the head.
Vermeulen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Vermeulen drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rothbard gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Rothbard swings wildly with an uppercut but Vermeulen uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vermeulen lands a nice uppercut.
A short right from Rothbard on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rothbard.
Good body shot from Vermeulen.
A right hand to the body from Vermeulen.
A shot in the inside from Vermeulen.
Vermeulen lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rothbard backwards.
Vermeulen is working Rothbard over against the cage.
Vermeulen makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Rothbard is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hendrik Vermeulen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A shot in the inside from Vermeulen.
Vermeulen lands a left hand.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Vermeulen.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rothbard blocking some punches.
Vermeulen misses with some punches.
Rothbard swings wildly with an uppercut but Vermeulen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vermeulen lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rothbard backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hendrik Vermeulen dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Vermeulen thuds a left hand into Rothbard's body.
Vermeulen connects with a body shot.
Rothbard takes a jab right on the kisser.
Vermeulen tries to bum rush Rothbard with a series of wild strikes but Rothbard uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Vermeulen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rothbard.

Vermeulen forces Rothbard back against the cage and clinches.
Vermeulen misses with the head strike.
Vermeulen lands a body shot in the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Vermeulen as the two fighters clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Vermeulen.
Hendrik Vermeulen has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Rothbard fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Vermeulen misses with a punch to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Vermeulen.
Vermeulen makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rothbard misses with a hook from the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Rothbard.
Vermeulen misses with a hook from the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Rothbard creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vermeulen misses with a punch on the inside.
Nice body punch from Vermeulen.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Vermeulen.
Rothbard scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A short uppercut from Rothbard.
Rothbard tries to work over Vermeulen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rothbard misses with a punch to the body.
Rothbard prevents a body shot from Vermeulen.
Vermeulen blocks an uppercut.
Vermeulen digs a right hand underneath Rothbard's ribcage. Rothbard let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Rothbard tries to work over Vermeulen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rothbard blocks an uppercut.

Vermeulen has Rothbard pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Vermeulen pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Rothbard tumbling to the mat - Vermeulen dives into Rothbard's guard.
Vermeulen lands a couple of digs.
Vermeulen throwing strikes but missing.
Vermeulen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rothbard is pulling down on Vermeulen's head. It's preventing any offense from Vermeulen, at least for the moment.
Vermeulen working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Rothbard's head.
Vermeulen working some strikes from top position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vermeulen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rothbard is keeping the position for now.
Vermeulen trying to control but Rothbard is working from the bottom.
Rothbard working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Vermeulen.
Vermeulen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Vermeulen postures up in Rothbard's guard and throws a big left but Rothbard blocks it.
Vermeulen throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vermeulen scoring with punches to the head and body.
Rothbard keeping moving, preventing Vermeulen from controlling successfully.
Rothbard is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Vermeulen is controlling him.
Rothbard is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rothbard manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Vermeulen manages to get himself to full guard.

Vermeulen controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vermeulen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rothbard's guard.

Rothbard preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Vermeulen looking to pass the guard.
Rothbard utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rothbard preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Vermeulen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Rothbard is trying to control the position but Vermeulen postures up.
Vermeulen scoring with some ground and pound.
Vermeulen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Vermeulen is working Rothbard over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hendrik Vermeulen dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Vermeulen lands with a straight right. Rothbard didn't see that one coming.
Rothbard fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Vermeulen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Rothbard slips under a jab from Vermeulen.
Vermeulen staying out of range there.
Rothbard takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Rothbard slaps away a takedown attempt from Vermeulen, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Vermeulen scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rothbard misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rothbard takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Vermeulen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rothbard.
Vermeulen jabs Rothbard right on the nose. Rothbard blinks but takes it well.
Hendrik Vermeulen is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vermeulen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rothbard lands a leg kick that knocks Vermeulen off balance momentarily.
Rothbard doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Vermeulen ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Vermeulen.
Rothbard takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Vermeulen moves into the clinch successfully.
Rothbard blocks an uppercut.
Rothbard can't find room to land a body shot as Vermeulen controls the action.
Vermeulen misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rothbard tries to throw a body punch but Vermeulen avoids it by throwing Rothbard back against the cage.
Rothbard throws a punch but it's blocked by Vermeulen.
Vermeulen working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rothbard tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Vermeulen's elbow.
Vermeulen lands a left hand.
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!
Rothbard lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Vermeulen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vermeulen throws a head punch that misses.
Vermeulen tries to throw a body punch but Rothbard avoids it by throwing Vermeulen back against the cage.
Vermeulen working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Vermeulen has a couple of punches blocked by Rothbard.
Rothbard goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rothbard is trying to stall.
Rothbard working aggressively here.
Vermeulen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Vermeulen is looking to take this one to the mat.
Vermeulen tries to throw a body punch but Rothbard avoids it by throwing Vermeulen back against the cage.
Rothbard swings wildly with an uppercut but Vermeulen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vermeulen misses with some punches.
Vermeulen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rothbard's elbow.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rothbard.

Rothbard is fighting off a takedown attempt but Vermeulen is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Rothbard to the mat. Rothbard regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Vermeulen throws a big right hand that misses.
Vermeulen cracks Rothbard with a solid left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vermeulen stopping the sweep attempt from Rothbard.
Rothbard keeping moving, preventing Vermeulen from controlling successfully.
Vermeulen landing some decent shots from guard.
Rothbard keeping moving, preventing Vermeulen from controlling successfully.
Vermeulen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Vermeulen controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Rothbard looking to control.
Vermeulen makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Vermeulen stands up over Rothbard, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Vermeulen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rothbard can do to turn this around?
Vermeulen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Vermeulen trying to control but Rothbard is working from the bottom.
Rothbard avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Vermeulen advances position into side control!
Rothbard avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Vermeulen.
Vermeulen working the ground and pound from side control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Rothbard can do anything to dispel that myth.
Vermeulen scores with a couple of short elbows.
Sloppy strikes there by Vermeulen.
Rothbard on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hendrik Vermeulen clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Vermeulen moves into the clinch.
A short left from Vermeulen.
Vermeulen misses with a punch to the body.
Vermeulen has a couple of punches blocked by Rothbard.
Vermeulen makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Rothbard misses with a short punch on the inside.
Vermeulen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rothbard struggles to land a body shot inside as Vermeulen controls his hands.

Vermeulen gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Vermeulen thows a huge punch but Rothbard dodges it nicely.
Vermeulen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Rothbard blocking the ground and pound attempt from Vermeulen.
Vermeulen with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Vermeulen thows a huge punch but Rothbard dodges it nicely.
Rothbard is looking for a sweep. Vermeulen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Vermeulen.
Vermeulen is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Vermeulen seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Rothbard for as long as he can get away with.
Vermeulen 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.
Vermeulen is trying to control. Rothbard wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Vermeulen tries to pass to full mount but Rothbard defends it.
Rothbard is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Vermeulen not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Vermeulen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Vermeulen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Vermeulen with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Vermeulen is stalling here. Rothbard is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Vermeulen seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Rothbard has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Rothbard trying to control the position but Vermeulen is working away.
Vermeulen is trying to improve his position.
Vermeulen struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vermeulen regains half guard.
Vermeulen avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rothbard.
Vermeulen holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Vermeulen works his way to full guard. Good work.
Vermeulen has Rothbard pulled in close to control his posture.
Vermeulen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rothbard's guard.

Vermeulen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rothbard really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Vermeulen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rothbard looking for a sweep. Not yet Rothbard, not yet.
Rothbard is trying to keep Vermeulen in close.
Vermeulen preventing the sweep.
Vermeulen is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Vermeulen trying to control the position from guard on top but Rothbard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rothbard is pulling down on Vermeulen's head to control his posture.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vermeulen slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Vermeulen has knee on belly and moves into mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hendrik Vermeulen had his way with Murray Rothbard in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Rothbard moves into the clinch successfully.
Vermeulen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rothbard.
Rothbard misses with the head strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Vermeulen.
Stalling in the clinch from Rothbard.
A nice left hand lands by Vermeulen.
Vermeulen misses with a punch to the body.
Vermeulen lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rothbard blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Vermeulen swings wildly with an uppercut but Rothbard uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Vermeulen is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Rothbard can't fight it off and eventually Vermeulen manages to take the fight to the floor. Rothbard looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Rothbard is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vermeulen slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Vermeulen throws an elbow that misses. Rothbard uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Vermeulen's guard. Nice move by Rothbard!

Rothbard throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Vermeulen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rothbard throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Vermeulen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Vermeulen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Vermeulen pulls Rothbard in close to his closed guard and prevents Rothbard from doing any damage or advancing position.
Vermeulen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rothbard's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vermeulen is looking to work some ground and pound but Rothbard has wrist control.
Rothbard is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Vermeulen is looking to work some ground and pound but Rothbard has wrist control.
Vermeulen with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Vermeulen wants to control from the top but Rothbard keeps moving.
Vermeulen is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Rothbard avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Vermeulen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Vermeulen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rothbard 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.
Vermeulen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vermeulen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Vermeulen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rothbard works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Vermeulen with a nice head shot there.
Vermeulen sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Rothbard's guard.
Vermeulen is looking to take a break and control but Rothbard is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Vermeulen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Vermeulen sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Vermeulen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hendrik Vermeulen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rothbard is looking for a sweep. Vermeulen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rothbard avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Vermeulen.
Vermeulen is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Rothbard!
Vermeulen with good strikes from the mount here!
Vermeulen lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Vermeulen raining down shots from the mount!
Vermeulen controlling from the full mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vermeulen wants to control the pace but Rothbard is squirming around nicely.
Murray Rothbard has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vermeulen content just to control the position here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hendrik Vermeulen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Vermeulen 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 50:45
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 50:45
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hendrik Vermeulen!
Hendrik Vermeulen retains his light heavyweight title!
In his post fight interview, Hendrik Vermeulen started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.