PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Frik Van Wyk (ranked 2931 p4p, 272 weight class) and John Big (ranked 5990 p4p, 435 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Van Wyk might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Ska-Rumba. John Big will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Van Wyk
vs
Big

190 cm
21
285 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

220 cm
20
275 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Insanely flexible

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

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 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Frik Van Wyk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, John Big !
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Bruno Lombardi and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Big shoots for a double leg takedown but Van Wyk sprawls well. He's pushed Big 's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
No luck for Big with that takedown attempt.
Big misses with a series of wild punches.
Van Wyk seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Big falls off balance throwing a combination

and Van Wyk counters by moving into the clinch.

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

Van Wyk gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Van Wyk jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Big walks away with a smile on his face. Van Wyk gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Big has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Van Wyk is landing a low percentage of strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Van Wyk rushes Big and presses him up against the cage.

Van Wyk manages to break the clinch.
Van Wyk throws a series of punches but Big moves out of range.
Big swinging wildly here.
It looked like Van Wyk was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Big misses with a combination
and Van Wyk counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

Van Wyk closes the distance and pushes Big back into the cage.
Big working hard to break the clinch.

Big breaks from the clinch.
Van Wyk on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Big throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Van Wyk thinks about countering with a head kick.
Nice shot lands for Big .
Big jabs at Van Wyk's body.

Van Wyk fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Big sprawls well initially but Van Wyk persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Big tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Van Wyk manages to move to mount!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Big squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Wyk controlling from the full mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Van Wyk putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Van Wyk tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Van Wyk's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Van Wyk is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
John Big seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Big throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Big throws a leg kick

and Van Wyk counters with a takedown into side control.

Van Wyk decides to stand back up. Van Wyk steps back and let's Big get back to his feet.
Big looks to land a combination but Van Wyk avoids it well.
Van Wyk's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Big connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Van Wyk scrambles back to his feet.
Big swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Big throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Van Wyk fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Big sprawls well initially but Van Wyk persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Van Wyk is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Big has managed to free his arm - good work.
Well, if Van Wyk is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Van Wyk is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Big has managed to free his arm - good work.
Van Wyk looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Van Wyk winds up and cracks Big with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Van Wyk is trying to work for a kimura but Big is defending well.
Big pushes Van Wyk off looking to stand but Van Wyk dives back in and keeps control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frik Van Wyk dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Big jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Van Wyk loads up on a big right hand but Big slips the punch.
Big is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Good standup being displayed there by Big as he connects with a hook.
John Big seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Big avoids the head kick by Van Wyk.

Van Wyk has Big up against the cage in a clinch.
Van Wyk jumps guard but Big stands there with Van Wyk around his waist. Van Wyk gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Van Wyk jumps guard but Big stands there with Van Wyk around his waist. Van Wyk gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Big working hard to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Van Wyk.
Big gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Van Wyk.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frik Van Wyk. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Van Wyk breaks from the clinch.
Big throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Van Wyk stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Big lands a head shot.
Big throws a nice looking combination but Van Wyk bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Van Wyk misses with a low kick.
It seemed like Big was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Big looks to score with a jab to the body but Van Wyk is just out of range.
Van Wyk takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Big stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Van Wyk.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Big changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Van Wyk is looking to clinch.
Big throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Van Wyk counters with a takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Big is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Van Wyk has just dragged him back down to the mat.
A lull in the action here.
Big trying to control but Van Wyk flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Van Wyk controlling from the back.
Further stalling from Van Wyk.
We've been hearing good reports from Van Wyk's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Wyk seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Big for as long as he can get away with.

Van Wyk is looking for a rear naked choke here but Big reverses the position brilliantly into Van Wyk's guard!
Van Wyk is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Big trying to control from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Big tries to kick Van Wyk off but Van Wyk keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Big is in trouble now - Van Wyk has advanced to mount!

Van Wyk stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.

Van Wyk shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Big is defending against the submission attempts here by Van Wyk.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Van Wyk landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
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 Frik Van Wyk will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Van Wyk throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
letting Big counter with a right hand.
Van Wyk tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Big was well out of range. Poor timing from Van Wyk.
Big getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Big connects with a jab.
A head kick misses from Van Wyk.
Van Wyk wants to clinch up but Big keeps it at a distance.

Van Wyk fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Big , pushing him back against the cage.

Van Wyk manages to break the clinch.
Frik Van Wyk is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Big wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Van Wyk drives through with a takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Van Wyk controlling from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Big wants to get back to his feet but Van Wyk is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Van Wyk controlling from the top position.
Big keeping full guard, as Van Wyk tries to pass.

Van Wyk decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Big gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Van Wyk breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Van Wyk changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A solid body kick from Van Wyk.
Big has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A low kick from Big is predictable there

and Van Wyk counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Van Wyk.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Van Wyk's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Van Wyk gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Big lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Big .
Big throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Van Wyk.
Big is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Big comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Big scores with a three punch combo!
Van Wyk jabs at Big 's body.
Big rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Van Wyk moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Big takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Wyk throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Van Wyk tries a head kick but it misses.
Big misses with a body shot.
Nice uppercut lands for Big . That snapped Van Wyk's head back.
Big falls off balance throwing a combination

and Van Wyk counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Van Wyk jumps guard but Big turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Big lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Van Wyk has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Big uses from the top position.
Big wants to control from the top but Van Wyk keeps moving.
Van Wyk lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Big is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Van Wyk controls from within his opponent's guard.
John Big has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Frik Van Wyk is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Big is looking to stand up but Van Wyk isn't so interested in that idea.

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 Frik Van Wyk.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Van Wyk, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frik Van Wyk!
A relieved looking Frik Van Wyk thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.