PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joost Van Dijk (ranked 4528 p4p, 157 weight class) and Paul Ladentro (ranked 5767 p4p, 170 weight class). Joost Van Dijk has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Van Dijk
vs
Ladentro

195 cm
21
265 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

225 cm
18
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Joost Van Dijk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Paul Ladentro!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Daniel Blasius and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No joy there for Ladentro, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Van Dijk is looking for a counter combo.
Ladentro lands a nice shot to the body.
Ladentro works the jab nicely.
Van Dijk walks into a straight right hand from Ladentro.
Ladentro misses with a double jab
and Van Dijk counters with a right hand to the body.
Ladentro slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Van Dijk misses with a series of wild punches.
Van Dijk could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Van Dijk shoots in for a takedown but Ladentro shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Van Dijk tries to clinch up.
Paul Ladentro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ladentro throws a series of punches but Van Dijk moves out of range.
Ladentro swings for the body but Van Dijk moves out of range.
Ladentro shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Van Dijk eats them both and turns towards Ladentro to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ladentro tries to close the distance and clinch up but Van Dijk swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Van Dijk swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Ladentro is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Ladentro misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ladentro is looking to clinch but Van Dijk is avoiding it.
Van Dijk appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Ladentro lunges at Van Dijk with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Van Dijk's hand.
Ladentro connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Van Dijk with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Ladentro to score with a decent uppercut.
Van Dijk avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A right-left combo lands from Ladentro.

It looks like Joost Van Dijk has been cut.
Van Dijk tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ladentro defends well and Van Dijk ends up having to push Ladentro into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
It seemed like Ladentro was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Van Dijk misses the shot to the body.
Ladentro lands with a good body shot.
Van Dijk moves forwards but Ladentro connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ladentro lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Ladentro darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Ladentro throws a right and a left that both miss.
Van Dijk appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Ladentro is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Van Dijk had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Van Dijk pivots, looking for a leg kick but Ladentro is out of range and Van Dijk settles back down.
Ladentro displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Van Dijk.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joost Van Dijk. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ladentro moves into range and clinches up with Van Dijk.
Van Dijk definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Ladentro lands with a left to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Ladentro.
Ladentro'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.
The referee calls for Ladentro to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Ladentro dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joost Van Dijk's cut.
That's time! Van Dijk's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ladentro throws a nice looking combination but Van Dijk bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Van Dijk looks for a takedown but Ladentro sprawls well.
Van Dijk connects with a body shot.
Ladentro has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Ladentro scores with a three punch combo!

Ladentro clinches with his opponent.
Ladentro misses with a punch on the inside.
Van Dijk tries for a takedown but Ladentro manages to get underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Van Dijk swings wildly with an uppercut but Ladentro uses good head movement to avoid it.
Van Dijk blocks an elbow strike.
Van Dijk is looking to break free of the clinch but Ladentro has double underhooks.
Van Dijk looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joost Van Dijk. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ladentro softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Ladentro.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Van Dijk.
Ladentro displaying some good clinch control by pressing Van Dijk up against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Ladentro throws an elbow but misses.
Ladentro lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Van Dijk backwards.
Ladentro scores with a nice hook to the head.

Van Dijk is trying to trip Ladentro. He has hold of a leg but Ladentro is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Van Dijk persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Ladentro has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Van Dijk seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Van Dijk stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ladentro swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ladentro is pulling down on Van Dijk's head. It's preventing any offense from Van Dijk, at least for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Dijk passes into half guard.
Ladentro is trying to stand.
Van Dijk is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Ladentro!
Van Dijk unloads with some shots from mount but Ladentro bucks and avoids them well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ladentro tries to lock up and control but Van Dijk gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Ladentro is controlling an arm, preventing Van Dijk from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Ladentro is trying to escape the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Ladentro showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Joost Van Dijk's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Ladentro swinging wildly here.
Van Dijk is looking for a counter combo.

Ladentro clinches up against the cage.
Van Dijk goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ladentro prevents it.
Ladentro working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Van Dijk wants a takedown but no success here.

Van Dijk works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Ladentro pulls Van Dijk in to control the position.
Van Dijk might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Van Dijk pushing down on Ladentro's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Ladentro has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Van Dijk is working away from the top position though.
Ladentro is holding on to half guard well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Van Dijk seems to be looking for submissions.
Van Dijk is keen to just control but Ladentro is a slippery customer.
Ladentro trying to control here.
Van Dijk thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ladentro's head.
Ladentro gets full guard.
Van Dijk slips nicely into half guard.
Van Dijk looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Ladentro tries to get to full guard but Van Dijk has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Dijk not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ladentro is trying to get back to full guard.
Ladentro is staying active underneath Van Dijk, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Van Dijk prevents Ladentro from improving his position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ladentro manages to get to full guard.
Joost Van Dijk has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Paul Ladentro is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Van Dijk passes Ladentro's left leg - he's now in half guard.

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 Joost Van Dijk.
I think Ladentro has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Ladentro!