PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gamzat Gamzatov (ranked 2257 p4p, 272 weight class) and Jako Day (ranked 1405 p4p, 185 weight class). Gamzatov comes into the arena with Entrance Song blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Jako Day enters the cage!

Gamzatov
vs
Day

188 cm
27
203 lbs
11 - 9 - 0

189 cm
40
198 lbs
28 - 18 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gamzat Gamzatov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jako Day!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gamzatov throws a body shot but no joy.
Day leaves Gamzatov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Day swinging wildly here.
Day misses with a leg kick

and Gamzatov counters with a takedown into side control.
Day is trying to control Gamzatov's posture but Gamzatov avoids it.

Gamzatov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gamzatov postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Day is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Gamzatov has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Gamzatov is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Day knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Day struggling a bit here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gamzatov working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Day is trying to get back to his feet.
Day can't do much from the bottom here.
Day manages to work his way to half guard, despite Gamzatov's best efforts.
Day is looking to control Gamzatov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Day avoid being mounted?
Day looks like he's trying to stand up.
Gamzatov working Day over with strikes.

Gamzatov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Day is just riding it out for now. Gamzatov eventually gives up the hold.
Day looks like he's trying to stand up.
We've been hearing good reports from Gamzatov'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.
Gamzatov wants to pass the guard but Day is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gamzatov stops Day from getting back to his feet.
Gamzatov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Day knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Gamzatov drops an elbow to the side of Day's head.
Day is trying to maintain the position but Gamzatov is very close to passing his half guard.
Day is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Gamzatov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Day doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gamzatov.
Gamzatov wants to pass the guard but Day is defending well.

Gamzatov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Day tries to roll over but Gamzatov keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Day wants to get back to his feet.
Gamzatov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Gamzatov is trying to control the action in half guard but Day is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Gamzatov prevents Day from improving his position.
Gamzatov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Gamzatov is thwarting Day's attempts to control the position.
Day is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Day keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Day wants to get back to his feet.
Day trying to control from the bottom.
Gamzatov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Day wants to control but Gamzatov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Day is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Day trying to hold on to Gamzatov's head to control him but Gamzatov postures up.
Day is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

Gamzatov seems to be working for a kimura but Day defends the submission attempt.
Day holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Day trying to control here.
Day is trying to stand back up but Gamzatov is controlling him

Gamzatov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Day has managed to free his arm - good work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gamzatov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Day keeps working.

Gamzatov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Day wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gamzat Gamzatov dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Day swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Day misses with a body punch

and Gamzatov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Day wants to stand and escape but Gamzatov is having none of it.
Gamzat Gamzatov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gamzatov connects with a couple of short punches.
Gamzatov trying to control the position from guard on top but Day is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gamzatov passes Day's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Day is looking for a sweep. Gamzatov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Day looks like he's trying to stand up.

Gamzatov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Day sees it coming and defends easily.
Gamzatov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Day can do to turn this around?

Gamzatov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Day doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gamzatov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gamzatov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Day wants to get back to full guard.

Gamzatov wants to work for an arm triangle but Day is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Day is trying to stand.
Day trying to control here.
Gamzatov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Day is looking to escape.
Gamzatov is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Day!
Day is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Gamzatov dominating with strikes here.
Gamzatov wants to control the pace but Day is squirming around nicely.
Day tries to lock up and control but Gamzatov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Day is looking to get to half guard.
Day bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Gamzatov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Day's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Day wants to stand but Gamzatov is controlling the position.
Gamzatov wants to control from the top but Day keeps moving.
Gamzatov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Gamzatov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Day is keeping the position for now.
Day is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Day looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Gamzatov lands a couple of digs.
Gamzatov cracks Day with a solid left hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gamzatov stops Day from standing up.

Day has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Gamzatov off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Gamzatov shoots in and bounces Day off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Gamzatov stopping the sweep attempt from Day.
Day keeping moving, preventing Gamzatov from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gamzatov chips away with some ground and pound.
Day is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Day wants to stand and escape but Gamzatov is having none of it.
Gamzatov looking to pass the guard.
Day wants to stand up but Gamzatov is controlling him.
Gamzatov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Gamzatov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Gamzatov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Gamzatov won't allow Day to get back to his feet.
Gamzatov is looking to work some ground and pound but Day has wrist control.
Gamzatov prevents Day from getting back to his feet.
Day lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Gamzatov is working an open guard so Day takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Day's coach down at MMA Dojo (Top Gym in Tokyo*) was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Day's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gamzatov shoots in but no luck this time.
Day will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Day misses with a combination

and Gamzatov counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Nice strikes from Gamzatov there.

Gamzatov seems to be looking for submissions.
Day trying to control from the bottom.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gamzatov stops Day from getting back to his feet.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Day is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Day wants to improve his position but Gamzatov is controlling well.

Gamzatov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Day defends it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gamzat Gamzatov dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Gamzatov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Day counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Day looks to score with a jab to the body but Gamzatov is just out of range.
Gamzatov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Day defends it nicely.
Day keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Day swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Gamzatov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Gamzatov is looking for a kimura here.
Day is trying to stand up here but Gamzatov is controlling him well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Day is defending against the submission attempts here by Gamzatov.

Gamzatov is working for a kimura but Day is defending it quite comfortably.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Day wants to get back to his feet.
Day is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Gamzatov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Gamzatov seems to be looking for submissions.
Day wants to get back to his feet.

Gamzatov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Gamzatov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Day knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Gamzatov prevents Day from standing back up.
Gamzatov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Gamzatov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Day is trying to stand back up but Gamzatov is controlling him
Ground and pound from Gamzatov.
Day is trying to stand up here but Gamzatov is controlling him well.

Gamzatov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Day is just riding it out for now. Gamzatov eventually gives up the hold.

Gamzatov is working for a kimura but Day is defending it quite comfortably.
Day is positioning himself well to prevent Gamzatov advancing to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gamzatov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Gamzatov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Gamzatov stops Day from getting back to his feet.
Day trying to control here.

Gamzatov wants to work for an arm triangle but Day is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Day wants to get back to his feet.

Day pushes Gamzatov off and gets back to his feet.
Jako Day is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice sprawl there from Day as Gamzatov shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gamzat Gamzatov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Day misses with a double jab.
Gamzatov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Gamzatov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Day counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Gamzatov thinking.
Gamzat Gamzatov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Day throws a push kick but Gamzatov slaps the foot to one side.
Day misses with a wild body shot.
Day loads up on a big right hand but Gamzatov slips the punch.
Day misses with a hook.
Gamzatov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Day sprawls and moves away.
Day misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gamzatov.
Gamzatov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Day sprawls and moves away.
Gamzatov slips a jab from Day.
No luck for Gamzatov with that takedown attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Day throws a right hand that Gamzatov ducks under and follows up with a left that Gamzatov also avoids with ease.
Jako Day has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Day throws a left and a right that both miss

and Gamzatov counters with a takedown into side control.
Day takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Day manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Day is thwarting Gamzatov's attempts to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jako Day comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gamzatov 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gamzat Gamzatov!
Gamzat Gamzatov took his opportunity to call for a title shot in his post fight interview.