PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joels Van Wijnbergen (ranked 2082 p4p, 254 weight class) and Martez Lopez (ranked 2395 p4p, 283 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Van Wijnbergen
vs
Lopez

185 cm
37
210 lbs
20 - 10 - 0

178 cm
33
220 lbs
18 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

KAISER Nutrition - Q160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joels Van Wijnbergen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Martez Lopez!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Sosuke Kotani and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Van Wijnbergen misses with a kick to the body.
Van Wijnbergen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Van Wijnbergen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Van Wijnbergen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lopez.
A good leg kick by Van Wijnbergen.
Van Wijnbergen throws a half hearted mid kick.
Van Wijnbergen jabs at Lopez's body.
Lopez moves out of range of the body kick from Van Wijnbergen.
Van Wijnbergen ducks under a wild hook from Lopez.
Van Wijnbergen has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Lopez finds it's way round the side to connect with Van Wijnbergen's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lopez throws a jab when Van Wijnbergen was well out of range.
Van Wijnbergen throws a hook but Lopez avoids it easily.
A little jabbing left from Lopez on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Van Wijnbergen misses with a hook to the body

and Lopez counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Van Wijnbergen!
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!
Van Wijnbergen managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Lopez.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lopez throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Van Wijnbergen works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Van Wijnbergen is refusing to be controlled, as Lopez sits in half guard.
Lopez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Lopez is trying to control. Van Wijnbergen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Van Wijnbergen wants to control but Lopez is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Lopez has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Lopez seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Van Wijnbergen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Lopez throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Van Wijnbergen is not content to let Lopez control the position.
Van Wijnbergen has hold of Lopez's hands but Lopez slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lopez wants to take a breather but Van Wijnbergen is having none of it.
Lopez not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Van Wijnbergen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Lopez winds up and cracks Van Wijnbergen with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Lopez looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Lopez wants to take a breather but Van Wijnbergen is having none of it.
Lopez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Lopez is keen to just control but Van Wijnbergen is a slippery customer.
Lopez lands with a punch from half guard.
Lopez working the head and body with strikes.
Van Wijnbergen is trying to stand.
Van Wijnbergen is refusing to be controlled, as Lopez sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lopez trying to pass the guard but Van Wijnbergen defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lopez wants to control but Van Wijnbergen is keeping him busy.
Van Wijnbergen regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Lopez.
Lopez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Lopez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Van Wijnbergen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Lopez trying to control but Van Wijnbergen is working from the bottom.
Van Wijnbergen working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Van Wijnbergen pulls Lopez in to control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Van Wijnbergen looks to throw the jab but Lopez is out of range.
Lopez looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Joels Van Wijnbergen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Van Wijnbergen scores with a nice head shot.
Van Wijnbergen goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Lopez misses with a looping left.
Van Wijnbergen looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A big left from Lopez misses.
Lopez takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Van Wijnbergen on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Van Wijnbergen takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Van Wijnbergen thows a body kick. Lopez tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Van Wijnbergen throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Lopez counters with a left to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Martez Lopez dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Van Wijnbergen misses with a low kick.
Lopez lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

It looks like Joels Van Wijnbergen has been cut.

Lopez closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Lopez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lopez sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Van Wijnbergen is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Lopez scores with a couple of nice shots.
Van Wijnbergen avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Lopez.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lopez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Lopez throwing shots but Van Wijnbergen is blocking nicely.
Lopez is controlling the pace.
Lopez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lopez not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Van Wijnbergen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Lopez is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Lopez throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Lopez keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Van Wijnbergen regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Lopez.
Van Wijnbergen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Van Wijnbergen pulls Lopez in close to prevent any damage.
Lopez is in close to Van Wijnbergen's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Lopez postures up.
Lopez throwing strikes but missing.
Lopez throwing strikes but missing.
Lopez trying to control the position from guard on top but Van Wijnbergen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Van Wijnbergen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Van Wijnbergen scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Wijnbergen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lopez lands with a straight right. Van Wijnbergen didn't see that one coming.
Lopez throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lopez keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Van Wijnbergen.
Van Wijnbergen looks to score with a jab to the body but Lopez is just out of range.
Lopez checks a leg kick nicely.
Van Wijnbergen takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Van Wijnbergen.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Lopez, as that shot connected.
Van Wijnbergen takes a shot right to the bread basket.
A swing and a miss from Lopez.
Van Wijnbergen gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Lopez pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lopez waves his right hand out in front of him, looking to distract Van Wijnbergen. Oh, he's unloaded a beast of a left hand - it worked! He's dropped Van Wijnbergen to the canvas! Can he finish him!?

Van Wijnbergen is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lopez's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Oh Van Wijnbergen is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Lopez lands a couple of elbows.
Lopez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Lopez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Lopez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Van Wijnbergen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Lopez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Van Wijnbergen seems to have got his legs back now.
Lopez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lopez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lopez postures up in Van Wijnbergen's guard and throws a big left but Van Wijnbergen blocks it.
Van Wijnbergen keeping moving, preventing Lopez from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lopez looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Martez Lopez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Joels Van Wijnbergen's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Van Wijnbergen has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Lopez finds it's way round the side to connect with Van Wijnbergen's head.
Van Wijnbergen moves into range and connects with a jab.
Martez Lopez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lopez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Van Wijnbergen but Van Wijnbergen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Van Wijnbergen lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Van Wijnbergen throws out a leg kick but Lopez moves out of range and Van Wijnbergen only half commits.
Van Wijnbergen throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lopez connects with a good right hand that stumbles Van Wijnbergen. Van Wijnbergen circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Van Wijnbergen lands a nice looking kick to the body. Lopez takes a step back to recover.
Van Wijnbergen throws a leg kick that misses.

Lopez moves into range and throws a big uppercut. OH! Van Wijnbergen goes down! Can Lopez finish him!?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lopez postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Lopez trying to control but Van Wijnbergen is working from the bottom.
Lopez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lopez wants to control from the top but Van Wijnbergen keeps moving.
Van Wijnbergen being controlled here, momentarily.
Lopez trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Lopez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Joels Van Wijnbergen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Lopez working some strikes from top position.
Van Wijnbergen knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Lopez on the ground.
Lopez trying to control but Van Wijnbergen is working from the bottom.
Lopez connects with a couple of short punches.
Lopez postures up in Van Wijnbergen's guard and throws a big left but Van Wijnbergen blocks it.
Lopez is looking to work some ground and pound but Van Wijnbergen has wrist control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lopez pushing down on Van Wijnbergen's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Lopez sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Van Wijnbergen defending well though.
Lopez lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Lopez is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Van Wijnbergen reverses the position - he's now on top in Lopez's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lopez keeping moving, preventing Van Wijnbergen from controlling successfully.
Van Wijnbergen preventing the sweep.
Lopez wants to hit a switch here but Van Wijnbergen passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Lopez there!
Lopez is in all sorts of trouble here.
Lopez slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lopez wants to get back to full guard.
Lopez trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Lopez wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Van Wijnbergen.
Lopez is trying desperately to improve position.
Van Wijnbergen avoids the attempt from Lopez to control.
Lopez slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Martez Lopez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Lopez has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Martez Lopez!
A very excited looking Martez Lopez made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.