PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Robert Vanderwiel (ranked 3904 p4p, 193 weight class) and Talon Cape (ranked 4543 p4p, 219 weight class). Robert Vanderwiel has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Vanderwiel
vs
Cape

175 cm
19
145 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

180 cm
19
140 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Decent elbows
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Robert Vanderwiel!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Talon Cape!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cape with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Talon Cape seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cape tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Vanderwiel paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Vanderwiel seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Vanderwiel blocks a jab.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Cape, right into the meat.
Cape loads up on a big right hand but Vanderwiel slips the punch.
Vanderwiel uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cape.

Cape rushes Vanderwiel and presses him up against the cage.
Vanderwiel avoids a wild elbow strike from Cape.
Cape trying to stall but Vanderwiel improves his position.
Vanderwiel is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Cape is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cape wants to stall.
Vanderwiel avoiding damage as Cape throws knees to the body.
Cape is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Vanderwiel throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Our sources have told us that Vanderwiel has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Cape is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vanderwiel throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Cape missing with knees to the body.
Vanderwiel's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Vanderwiel managing to block the knees to the body from Cape.
Cape lands an elbow just above Vanderwiel 's eye.
Vanderwiel is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Vanderwiel pushes off an throws an elbow but Cape leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Cape has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Vanderwiel seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Cape can turn it around.
Vanderwiel has Cape pushed against the cage.
Vanderwiel being controlled against the cage.
Vanderwiel creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Cape's defenses.
Cape tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Cape looking to throw knees to the head but Vanderwiel is blocking nicely.
Vanderwiel slowing the pace effectively.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vanderwiel displaying some good clinch control by pressing Cape up against the cage.
Vanderwiel takes a knee right on the jaw!
Vanderwiel taking a breather.
Cape landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Cape blocks an elbow strike.
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!
Cape trying to stall but Vanderwiel improves his position.
Vanderwiel pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Cape lands a nice elbow.
Come on Vanderwiel - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Vanderwiel scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Cape misses with a knee to the head.
Cape is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Vanderwiel is keeping busy.
Vanderwiel comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Vanderwiel tries to work over Cape's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Cape with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vanderwiel on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Cape taking a breather.
Cape using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Cape avoiding damage.
Cape dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Cape with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Cape has Vanderwiel pressed against the cage.
Cape tries to throw a body punch but Vanderwiel avoids it by throwing Cape back against the cage.
Cape crunches a lovely knee into Vanderwiel's ribcage.
Vanderwiel leaning against his opponent.
Vanderwiel avoiding damage as Cape throws knees to the body.
Cape lands a nice elbow.
Vanderwiel comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Vanderwiel manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cape is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Cape with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Vanderwiel is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Cape is trying to stall.
Cape connects with a knee to the head.
Vanderwiel is working Cape over against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cape trying to control the position but instead, Vanderwiel has worked for underhooks and has pushed Cape into the cage.
Vanderwiel throws an elbow that misses.
Vanderwiel lands an elbow inside.
Cape gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Cape throws a knee to the head but misses.
Vanderwiel being controlled against the cage.
Vanderwiel lands a body shot in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Talon Cape dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Vanderwiel pushes Cape up against the cage in a clinch.
Vanderwiel has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Cape using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Vanderwiel has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Vanderwiel throws an elbow that misses.
Cape stalling in the clinch but Vanderwiel improves position.
Cape landing knees to the body.
Vanderwiel landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Vanderwiel taking a breather.
Cape avoids the elbow strike from Vanderwiel, against the cage.
A knee to the head by Cape.
Vanderwiel tries a body shot but Cape blocks it.
Vanderwiel blocks an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cape looking to slow down the pace here.
Cape misses with a knee strike.
Cape lands an elbow inside that Vanderwiel shrugs off.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A hook to the body from Vanderwiel.
Cape blocks a body shot from Vanderwiel.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cape using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Vanderwiel has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Vanderwiel's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Vanderwiel lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Cape creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Vanderwiel's defenses.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Vanderwiel manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Cape is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Vanderwiel is defending well for now.
Cape looking to stall.
Vanderwiel avoiding damage as Cape throws knees to the body.
Cape has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Vanderwiel avoiding damage as Cape throws knees to the body.
Cape missing with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cape wants to stall.
Cape has Vanderwiel pushed against the cage.
Vanderwiel lands a body punch in the clinch.
Cape blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Cape misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Vanderwiel.
Cape taking a breather.
Vanderwiel pushes off an throws an elbow but Cape leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Cape blocks an elbow strike.
Cape's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Cape taking a breather.
Cape tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Vanderwiel avoids it.
Cape dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Cape tries to stall but Vanderwiel uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Talon Cape.
Vanderwiel keeps the fight on the outside.
Cape moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Robert Vanderwiel is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cape moves into the clinch successfully.
Talon Cape seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Still in the clinch, Vanderwiel scores with a nice short uppercut.
Vanderwiel trying to stall but Cape improves his position.
Vanderwiel lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Cape blocks a body shot from Vanderwiel.
Vanderwiel is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Cape with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Vanderwiel gets through Cape's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Vanderwiel creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Vanderwiel takes a knee right on the jaw!
Nice body punch from Vanderwiel.
Vanderwiel lands an elbow inside that Cape shrugs off.
Vanderwiel throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Cape missing with knees to the body.
Vanderwiel stalling the fight.
Vanderwiel lands a shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cape has Vanderwiel pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vanderwiel blocks an elbow strike.
Nice body punch from Vanderwiel - that landed with a thud.
Cape is breathing heavily.
Vanderwiel pushes off an throws an elbow but Cape leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Cape tries to stall but Vanderwiel uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Cape is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.
Cape prevents a body shot from Vanderwiel.
Vanderwiel is stalling here.
Cape is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Vanderwiel is defending well for now.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Vanderwiel takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Vanderwiel is stalling here.
Cape is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Vanderwiel is keeping busy.
Vanderwiel doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Vanderwiel as Cape tries to tie him up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Robert Vanderwiel will probably get the nod.
That's time! Vanderwiel's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Vanderwiel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Vanderwiel tries to move into range but Cape moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Vanderwiel slips under a jab from Cape.
Cape tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Vanderwiel manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Cape lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Cape connects with the punch.

Vanderwiel drives through and clinches with Cape against the cage.
Vanderwiel looking to slow down the pace here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vanderwiel misses with a punch to the body.
Cape being controlled against the cage.
Cape blocks an elbow strike from Vanderwiel.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cape stalling.
Vanderwiel throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Cape lands a good knee to the midsection. Vanderwiel won't want to take too many of those.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Cape looking to slow down the pace here.
Cape taking a breather.
With the fighters up against the cage, Vanderwiel throws an elbow but misses.
Cape is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Vanderwiel is keeping busy.
Knees in the clinch landing for Cape.
Vanderwiel throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Cape lands an elbow inside.
Vanderwiel taking a breather.
Cape trying to stall but Vanderwiel improves his position.
Cape tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Cape stalling in the clinch but Vanderwiel improves position.
Vanderwiel managing to block the knees to the body from Cape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cape taking a breather.
Cape trying to stall but Vanderwiel improves his position.
Cape takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Talon Cape.

Vanderwiel has closed the distance and engaged Cape in a clinch.
Cape displaying some good clinch control by pressing Vanderwiel up against the cage.
Vanderwiel blocks the elbow strike.
Cape blocks a body shot from Vanderwiel.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Cape looking to stall.
Vanderwiel lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Vanderwiel gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Vanderwiel misses with a punch to the body.
Vanderwiel stalling.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vanderwiel blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Vanderwiel lands a body punch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Cape just misses with a elbow thrown towards Vanderwiel's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cape is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Cape throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Vanderwiel blocks it with crossed arms.
Vanderwiel avoiding damage.
Vanderwiel lands a nice shot to the body.
Cape trying to control the position but instead, Vanderwiel has worked for underhooks and has pushed Cape into the cage.
Vanderwiel is leaning against Cape and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Vanderwiel on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Nice elbow from Vanderwiel.
Vanderwiel stalling.
Vanderwiel lands an elbow just above Cape 's eye.
Vanderwiel struggles to land a body shot inside as Cape controls his hands.
Cape blocks an elbow strike.
Cape being controlled against the cage.
Vanderwiel misses with an elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vanderwiel misses with an elbow strike.
Cape throws an elbow but it misses.
Cape scores with a knee to the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Cape obliges.
Vanderwiel misses with a hook to the ribs.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Vanderwiel is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Cape dodges an elbow strike from Vanderwiel.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cape wants to stall.
Vanderwiel struggles to land a body shot inside as Cape controls his hands.
Cape tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Vanderwiel will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Cape up against the cage.
Cape using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Vanderwiel has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

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 Robert Vanderwiel.
I think Vanderwiel has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robert Vanderwiel!
Robert Vanderwiel is the new bantamweight champion!