Paul Varelans (USA) vs Dick Vrij (Netherlands) | KNOCKOUT, MMA fight HD

Professional american heavyweight mma fighter and UFC pioneer Paul Varelans with nickname "The Polar Bear" against dutch high skilled martial arts athlete and wrestler Dick Vrij. Fight took place in Sport Hall Zuid, Amsterdam, Netherlands on February 8, 1998. Epic MMA fight video with knockout in HD.
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Paul Varelans (USA) vs Dick Vrij (Netherlands) | KNOCKOUT, MMA fight HD
#Varelans #fights #Vrij #knockout #fight #MMA #kickboxing #USA #knockouts #Japan #UFC #Netherlands

[@MrJetsball1]

I loved Paul as a fighter. So much heart and a tough dude. RIP Paul

[@SlayerofFiction]

Didnt know he died Edit; died of Covid, that shit's nasty.

[@youngbrahms]

Paul Varelans didn't have an awesome fight record, and he wasn't even one of the most dominant fighters in his era, but he fought in MMA's most brutal time and certainly helped to make the sport what it is today! Respect to him. ⭐ 17/09/1969 ⚰️ 16/01/2021 R.I.P

[@thatcarguy6190]

🤜🏻

[@robhill4352]

Dont press that hashtag omg

[@badlanz8642]

I didn’t know he past

[@robhill4352]

@@badlanz8642 yup. Covid.

[@badlanz8642]

@@robhill4352 yea I just looked it up that’s too bad. I remember he did trap fighting….what ever the hell that is lol

[@otisthecanadianbulldog2400]

Big dude took quite a beating for that win.

[@AKilosOfRaPATonOfHonesty]

His opponent was just too extremely tired to win this fight lol.

[@sagathedamsel2950]

RIP Paul Varelans. Feel if he had been properly trained he would have achieved so much more. Fearless warrior with great potential. Not forgotten.

[@MortGoldbergTalent]

He took a lot of damage standing up. If he would have learned to box he would have gone farther.

[@vinnyspina8437]

Paul's cardio was absolutely amazing.

[@jasonroberts9357]

No doubt. Especially for such a big man.

[@simonbackhaus1640]

During this match Dick Vrij was in bad health and under heavy ephedrine medication, which showed in the second round. The fight should have been stopped in the first round, when Varelans was just taking combos unanswered and the ref just let him get breaks. Still two real Warriors. These early "Freefight" tournements are very cool two watch, very raw. Thank you for uploading!

[@rcpayne6416]

Medical or not, it was in his eyes

[@victornice858]

Ephedrine medication? Ephedrine has been illegal for some time.

[@joeschmoe6908]

Yeah I don't understand how you just get a break because you're taking a beating. I guess the rules weren't too precise, and people wanted their money's worth of fighting. Things haven't really changed that much either. Frankie Edgar earned a title shot the same way, and Lesnar beat Carwin as well.

[@joeschmoe6908]

​@@victornice858 People have been abusing drugs/steriods for a long time.

[@UnblockedOne2]

I once saw Paul at a Blockbuster Video. He was surrounded by friends & they were all looking up at him. His back was like a wall.

[@ronin2292]

Two warriors, certainly. Excellent battle.

[@user-hy1wv4so9w]

🤣🤣🤣 hope it's a very sophisticated joke

[@grabir01]

That unintentional punch to the back of the head ended that fight fast!

[@bobrobertson3372]

@Cu Ca I think he meant Paul wasn't aiming his punches, just throwing them blindly and without much convinction

[@nothingmuch8865]

The last big swing did land on the back of the head but he'd taken "jabs" repeatedly from a battering ram.

[@stevedevice1866]

LOL.. you don't know this promotion do you.. The rules were very 'loose' hahahahaaa

[@user-wl8ln3jg4e]

The American did well, he did not give up. After seeing the first minutes of the fight, I thought that he would break down completely now.

[@luisr.8220]

Excelente.

[@mossyhornhunter7022]

The polar bear was one of the first UFC fighters.

[@bjjbrawler1]

I heard his foot still hurts from Marco Huas' foot stomps

[@mossyhornhunter7022]

@@bjjbrawler1 he was always game to take a beating.

[@carolpardo1563]

@@bjjbrawler1 o

[@frankperrella1202]

​@@carolpardo1563 I can't believe how ground & pound that's UFC & MMA now we don't see BJJ as much it's more Wrestling & Sambo Systema mixed & Submission Wrestling I don't see as much BJJ Gracie he was one of the greatest but he had no striking skills. Paul Varlens needed better Coaching he had no Style. 🙏🙏🥋🥊🥊God bless

[@frankperrella1202]

​@@bjjbrawler1 we don't see that much BJJ like we used to it's Submission Wrestling & Sambo mainly now in MMA UFC 🙏🥋🥋🥊🥋God bless I loved Gracie, but Oleg Takagrov was a better all around fighter back in the 90's he did Sambo Systema & Kick boxing

[@nelsoncedeno4936]

Good Fight , 2 powerful countries going at it.

[@patrickryan5570]

Wow - that was a fantastic old school MMA knockout fight - Very sad Paul Varelans died in 2021 from Covid 19 - He was only aged 51 - RIP big man.

[@asymptoticsingularity9281]

Medical malpractice killed him

[@toddhulse1212]

Thanks for the news bad ass Paul great showing for 🇺🇸

[@jessesparks4511]

@@asymptoticsingularity9281 bullshit.

[@larryl1427]

IMO The gubmint poison got him. Same with Marvin Hagler.

[@jeffreynapisa122]

I remember when Marko Ruas beat Varlens by leg kicks....so bad it dropped Varlens,fight over...back in the ufc infacy dsys....Marko Ruas aka "King of the streets "

[@precessionoftheequinoxes3224]

First saw Paul Varelans in Vale Tudo.

[@videowatcher83]

First time i see the polar bear without fat!

[@larryl1427]

I remember when he had hair.

[@videowatcher83]

@@larryl1427 In the early 90s?

[@jeffreynapisa122]

Great sportsmanship

[@ThePinkMan]

This was Paul's last fight. I think he had fought in Brazil just a few days before, which is why he had that nose strip. It's obvious he had been making an effort to lose weight and actually learn how to strike (He had basically no training when he fought in the UFC). Trying to catch up to guys with actual skill like Igor Vovchanchyn and Marco Ruas would've probably been out of his reach, though, even with his size.

[@kn-qz7by]

Yes I immediately noticed that he’d taken off a lot of weight.

[@stevedevice1866]

The nose strip was a stupid fad to supposedly open air ways for sports, wasn't any kind of bandaid... Anyone who has had a broken nose knows there is no 'strip' hahahah

[@ThePinkMan]

​@@stevedevice1866 He lost his previous fight five days prior to this by cut stoppage, so I assumed it was some kind of protection. That thing was guaranteed to come off during the fight either way.

[@MortGoldbergTalent]

​@@stevedevice1866I can't speak for what they do in sports but they do help people with deviated septums to breathe better.

[@masterofreality1687]

That intro music sounded like one of the tunes from Sonic 2. 😂

[@beatapaolicchi4049]

Super!

[@kn-qz7by]

Props to The Polar Bear for weathering the storm and coming out on top.

[@ghostttriddder]

Paul is one of the greatest NHB era Journeymen in the ufc.

[@alaskeskimo]

Imagine every Thanksgiving and Christmas having a UFC legend over!! My kids fav uncle. I miss him so much. Your Eskimos love you polar bear!!

[@MortGoldbergTalent]

Liar

[@alaskeskimo]

@@MortGoldbergTalent ???? Whatever mort... get a life

[@MortGoldbergTalent]

Paul was one of the most handsome MMA fighters of all time. He had model good-looks.

[@brianmeen2158]

Varelans was a warrior. He didn’t have a background in kickboxing or wrestling was very dedicated to the sport. RiP

[@victornice858]

I did not know Paul had paased! I liked Varlans!

[@yak596]

Good fight.

[@henryb.little3399]

Boy those free boxing lessons Paul took at the YMCA really paid off.

[@robhill4352]

Legend

[@gabster-ie1vj]

This reminds me of a school fight years ago it was so hyped up all day by the end of school there was an adrenaline dump an adrenaline dump by both guys and they could barely swing at each other

[@nifty1940]

hahahaha

[@ridesmule2824]

Well.....,in all honesty, I think a career change wouldn't hurt either of them.

[@mr.unknown007]

Paul Varlens has been in this since day one.

[@LeonidThe90sKid]

i was surprised to see him getting dropped so hard from that punch. Looked like it was on the back of the head though!

[@badlanz8642]

Yep Deff was

[@fanoffighting4283]

it's always interesting to watch the giants fight, by the way, Igor Vovchanchin seems to have defeated him

[@LooseCan88]

Igor did fast, but he's beaten many guys so no shame there.

[@catcrapinahat]

BEEFCAKE!!!

[@rcpayne6416]

Paul lost a lot, did a good job buddy!!!!!! Rooting for paul

[@cikavelja1976]

RIP Paul Varelans.

[@rocky-iv1446]

It must feel so good to knock someone out!!

[@ravirajaka]

RIP Paul 🙏

[@dennis_mennis]

The kind of technical chess match that I always welcome.

[@ceemfajtswm4465]

This is more then real fight and very danger too.!

[@GH-yp3vd]

incroyable renversement de la situation

[@MsKwaiChang]

That's a corn fed polar bear!

[@Bricklinsv1970]

Thats a big Boy if he do some more cardio he would be better.

[@Jeepsteve1982]

Yes i think he might have a bright future in the sport🤣

[@lastrada52]

"If he do more cardio he would be better?" How about learning how to fight, breathe, pace yourself, put combinations together, a few upper-cuts, get out of the way of the other guy's fists, footwork -- you know basic boxing skills. He has none. He cowered in the corner like Bob Sapp. I boxed for years Beer Hounds, my trainers wouldn't even bother with this guy. All he had was size & muscles which doesn't cut it in this game. Did I say he was clumsy? He was clumsy too. I respect his courage in getting into the ring. But look at the beating he took to his face. That proves his inability. Breathing heavily like he was -- it wasn't even a 12-round fight? No conditioning, no stamina. Cardio? Let's start with a boxing lesson.

[@Bricklinsv1970]

@@Jeepsteve1982 Ya you are funny Mr funny person.

[@Bricklinsv1970]

@@lastrada52 Nah I dont think he needs any of that only what I said.

[@lastrada52]

@@Bricklinsv1970 That's fine, Beer Hounds. I respect your opinion. But take it from me after being a boxer for a few years. Big Boy would still lose. He needs better skills. Lots of great fighters do cardio & they lose anyway.

[@Outlaw-Josey-Wales]

I'm proud of him man he's really coming a long way in the last 20 years it was good man it was a good fight

[@jeffmoore4940]

This fight was from 1998.

[@Outlaw-Josey-Wales]

@@jeffmoore4940 I didn't know that I saw the post date and didn't figure it out thanks but he had came along way since his tank Abbott days

[@danielrathbun8380]

he also passed away recently from Covid

[@Outlaw-Josey-Wales]

@@danielrathbun8380 saddens me he's my age thanks Daniel

[@jeffmoore4940]

@@danielrathbun8380 that sucks! Didn't know that either.

[@JulienVicomteArt]

Huge titan match.

[@antonymayo8659]

R.I.P my brother I will see you when I get there.

[@oldcountryboy]

He was a big tough dude

[@russellgiorsetti9962]

Rip paul varelans a mountain of a man.

[@godgunsandgoldens]

Win by exhaustion.

[@lukesinclair5668]

Paul "The Fucking Polar Bear" Varelans

[@mortallious1234]

I didn't realize it was a diving competition.

[@juceliovieira8438]

Isso tá me cheirando a luta combinada .

[@Outlaw-Josey-Wales]

Paul lost alot of weight since the first UFC

[@SOLDbyYOU]

Can you spell…..D…I…V…E…?

[@maskedmarauder3278]

Casualty of cardio.

[@burhankallo9199]

Kelas berat

[@xelom222]

That KO looked like a half miss compared to many other strikes in the match.

[@edwardcristina9309]

The Polar Bear Could not fight himself out of a paper bag, his opponent ran out of breath, at this stage the bear was a gentle giant if he would have had good BOXING skills he would have beaten his opponent earlier . (Melb. Australia )

[@victornice858]

Do not agree EC

[@user-mr6um3dw2p]

Оба лишь бы что!

[@user-lc8ki6xc4v]

That was funinh.

[@FrankieFlakes]

Sloppy fight but still fun to watch

[@ryanjansen8785]

Paul strated to exchange better after he had his face cut looked at. then it appeared later that he was the first to gas, but Dick looked like he was fatiguing shortly after that. Twists and turns and unexpected events.

[@lesteranddonna]

Nice to see the winner full of pimples from the roads !

[@larryl1427]

Roads will do that.

[@JamesSmith-iy5nm]

I think that fight was fixed.

[@goji059]

Varlens?....I remember Marco Ruas kicking tbe legs out from underneath him and beating him at UFC 6 or 7.....weighing 100lbs les

[@seamusmcinnes7160]

Paul Varelans won a fight? Wow. Actually, I think steroids knocked out Dick Vrij via zero cardio.

[@JerreMuesli]

Doesn't really have a steroid body. 6 hours/week in the gym and you have the same physique

[@pureforce469]

@@JerreMuesli yep proper eating and training…he does not look juiced but people who don’t train think that anyone with a good body is on steroids

[@celtonik5]

@@JerreMuesli lol

[@victornice858]

Not respectful of the dead S.M. careful you don't end up in the Narakalokas!

[@sasarodusek531]

✊

[@user-ui4rq5lo6u]

Все куплено.

[@tooko4641]

Saloon fight

[@dicessdontbenosey438]

An illegal back of the head punch is legal back in those days.

[@saprano1972]

Funny how the winner looks worse than the winner. 😂

[@sanderson3743]

looked my like Vriij laid down due to exhaustion

[@TheShadowOfYours]

A Funny first name "Dick". 😁 Varelans is also a Dutch surname.

[@gordonpeden6234]

Poor Paul couldn't punch his way out of a wet paper bag. Took a lot of damage for the W' Big heart tho'

[@quota77]

he seemed like he was afraid of really letting loose on the other guy.

[@gordonpeden6234]

@@quota77 Nah! He just can't punch.

[@cobrat1980]

Pretty sure Juicy punched himself out there...old boy was gasping for air and could Barley stand from his own doing

[@user-zu1wy8dh1m]

Большой а толку мало. Как мешок.

[@user-gl4qw6ow4b]

R.I.P.

[@fatyowls]

Completely ran out gas as opposed to a knockout!

[@oldogre5999]

The ref was cheating! There were at least 4 times he pulled the little guy off of the big guy to stop him from beating the snot out of the big guy! That little guy should have won this fight! And another thing that big guy cheated to win, he struck the little guy in the back of the neck to knock him out, he should have been disqualified!

[@reductio1000]

little guy ????

[@oldogre5999]

@@reductio1000 Yup, 115 kg = about 250 pounds, = little guy! (Did you happen to notice my name?)

[@jesserenteria7773]

Sorry but that was an illegal strike to the back of the head and the referee didn't see it.

[@icuformiles420]

He'll ya Paul!

[@tommyboy71]

GORK! Klato, Berrata, Nektoo!

[@no1fibersplicer525]

Paul’s gotta be in his 50s or close

[@UncleanSpirit]

Fair call, it's a knock out, but aside from that, I think Vrij was on top overall.

[@TonyTony-xr7pf]

I literally can't believe he won LA mau!

[@AshbringerOnyxia]

Vrijs Anabolic body got zero condition...

[@Lousasshol]

Goes to show zero skills and shear toughness does pay off once and a while

[@Pepe-zv7vb]

Pucaju filmovi .. .😁😁😁

[@miguelrafaelromerorosales9544]

I like this fight of those Two big White chickens

[@jonathanpark7245]

So weird he just decided to start eating punches near the end after winning most of the fight

[@UncleTermite]

All that for a little trophy come on big Paul would eat that . 😂 Good to see they allow shoes and your own attire the UFC changed all that ,that bare feet thing sucks it takes away solid footing which can impact takedown defense and the actual punching form .

[@mikeh8228]

Looked like hulk, fought like Bulk!

[@mikeh8228]

Rigged, obviously. Fighter winning entire fight, took a fall!

[@AKilosOfRaPATonOfHonesty]

That shouldn't even be called mma 😅

[@mclekrell]

Too much speed

[@torpedoesntarantulas2691]

Looked like a dive to me

[@oldnikonian343]

The 'winning' punch was at the back of the head/neck and therefore illegal.

[@fireskull6444]

This is an old fight, I'm pretty sure anything went back then

[@oldnikonian343]

@@fireskull6444 Possibly, but it shows why it's now illegal because it wasn't even a hard punch, in fact it was more of a hefty slap.

[@christophercollins3632]

That punch would still be legal. The guy was moving his head and turning his body.

[@JOSEMANU55]

vaya dos sacos de papas!

[@derbrennholzverleih6508]

schaut euch mal den Paul Varelans an der kann ja nix !!