PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Oganeditse Gaolathe (ranked 2275 p4p, 1593 weight class) and Chuy Bacca (ranked 126 p4p, 86 weight class). Bacca comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Buena Vista Social Club - Hasta Siempre kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Gaolathe
vs
Bacca

175 cm
26
145
8 - 2 - 0

168 cm
24
142
4 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Core Combat
© Trap House

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Oganeditse Gaolathe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Chuy Bacca!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, Summer Carpenter and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gaolathe throws a looping overhand right but Bacca ducks down to avoid it.
Gaolathe misses with an uppercut.
Gaolathe connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Gaolathe lands a body shot.
Bacca uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gaolathe.
Gaolathe misses with an uppercut.
Bacca with the counter takedown but Gaolathe avoids it easily.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Gaolathe lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Bacca has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Bacca and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Bacca has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gaolathe. Bacca does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gaolathe misses with a straight right.
We've been hearing reports that Gaolathe has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gaolathe tests Bacca's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Gaolathe misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bacca.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gaolathe. Bacca does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bacca slips a jab from Gaolathe.
Gaolathe looks to land a combination but Bacca avoids it well.
And Bacca tries to counter it with a takedown but Gaolathe pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaolathe throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Bacca on the side of the head.
Gaolathe throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bacca drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Gaolathe defends it well.
Gaolathe throws out a loose jab but Bacca uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bacca feints the counter takedown.
Gaolathe throws a body punch but Bacca moves out of range.
Bacca avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gaolathe just misses with a punch to the body.
Bacca with the counter takedown but Gaolathe avoids it easily.
Gaolathe connects with a jab.
Bacca with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Gaolathe to score with a decent uppercut.
Bacca uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gaolathe.
Gaolathe looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gaolathe just misses with a punch to the body.
Bacca changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Gaolathe waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bacca.
Bacca feints the counter takedown.
Gaolathe throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Bacca on the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaolathe misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Bacca tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Oganeditse Gaolathe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bacca takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Bacca checks a low kick from Gaolathe.
Gaolathe misses with a hook to the body

and Bacca counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Bacca.

Gaolathe scrambles and gets back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bacca takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Gaolathe swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Bacca.
Bacca showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gaolathe.
Bacca drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Gaolathe defends it well.
Gaolathe cracks Bacca with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaolathe thows a left - swing and a miss!
Bacca keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Gaolathe misses with an uppercut.
Bacca feints the counter takedown.
Gaolathe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gaolathe turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Gaolathe, as that shot connected.
Gaolathe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice uppercut lands for Gaolathe. That snapped Bacca's head back.
Gaolathe jabs at Bacca's body.
Bacca checks a leg kick.
Bacca changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Gaolathe loads up on a big right hand but Bacca slips the punch.
Gaolathe swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bacca drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Gaolathe defends it well.
Bacca avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gaolathe just misses with a punch to the body.
Bacca is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Gaolathe does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Gaolathe throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bacca with the counter takedown but Gaolathe avoids it easily.
Gaolathe scores with a jab.
Gaolathe throws a lazy right hand but Bacca sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gaolathe is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Gaolathe misses with a body shot.
Gaolathe misses with a looping right.
Bacca drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Gaolathe defends it well.
Bacca keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gaolathe throws a body punch but Bacca moves out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A jab from Gaolathe misses.
Bacca with the counter takedown but Gaolathe avoids it easily.
Gaolathe is looking to chop away at Bacca's legs.
Gaolathe throws a hook but Bacca avoids it easily.
Bacca drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Gaolathe defends it well.
Gaolathe motions for Bacca to come forward. Gaolathe throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Bacca is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oganeditse Gaolathe dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gaolathe swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bacca drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Gaolathe defends it well.
Gaolathe throws a leg kick

and Bacca counters with a takedown into side control.
Gaolathe is looking for a sweep.
Gaolathe is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Bacca's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Gaolathe is looking to control Bacca's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Gaolathe avoid being mounted?
It looks like Bacca is going to stand back up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gaolathe is trying to maintain the position but Bacca is very close to passing his half guard.
Gaolathe is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bacca can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Bacca prevents Gaolathe from standing back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gaolathe lands a right hook to the body.
Gaolathe misses with a wild body shot.
Bacca takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Bacca avoids the body shot from Gaolathe.
Bacca keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And Bacca tries to counter it with a takedown but Gaolathe pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Gaolathe throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bacca feints the counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaolathe clobbers Bacca with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gaolathe. Bacca does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bacca feints the counter takedown.
Gaolathe throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Bacca drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Gaolathe defends it well.
Gaolathe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bacca is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Chuy Bacca is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gaolathe throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gaolathe is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Gaolathe swings for the body but Bacca moves out of range.
Bacca steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gaolathe.
Bacca changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Bacca uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gaolathe.
Gaolathe throws a jab but it's blocked by Bacca.
And Bacca tries to counter it with a takedown but Gaolathe pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Gaolathe swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gaolathe walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Bacca checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Bacca with the counter takedown but Gaolathe avoids it easily.
Bacca steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gaolathe.
Bacca drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Gaolathe defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaolathe tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bacca was well out of range. Poor timing from Gaolathe.
Bacca is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Gaolathe lands a nice hook to Bacca's body. Bacca takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Gaolathe misses the jab.
Jab by Gaolathe.
Gaolathe throws the left hand but Bacca avoids the punch easily.
A lazy left from Gaolathe finds it's target.
Gaolathe misses with a wild body shot.
Bacca changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
A leg kick checked by Bacca.
Gaolathe misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bacca.
Gaolathe throws a chopping leg kick but Bacca manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
A jab from Gaolathe finds it's way through Bacca's defenses.
A swing and a miss from Gaolathe.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gaolathe throws out a leg kick but Bacca moves out of range and Gaolathe only half commits.
Bacca changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
A nice leg kick from Gaolathe, right into the meat of the thigh.
Gaolathe looks to score with a jab to the body but Bacca is just out of range.
Bacca changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Gaolathe throws out a powerful jab.
Gaolathe throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bacca tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Bacca slips a jab from Gaolathe.
Bacca tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Gaolathe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bacca changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Gaolathe with a body punch. A glancing blow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bacca moves out of range of the strikes.
Bacca changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Gaolathe with a nice cross.
Gaolathe connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Gaolathe misses with a hook.
Bacca changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Gaolathe throws a body punch but Bacca moves out of range.
Bacca changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oganeditse Gaolathe dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Bacca uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gaolathe.
And Bacca tries to counter it with a takedown but Gaolathe pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Some bone on bone action there as Bacca checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Gaolathe swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bacca shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Bacca ducks under a wild hook from Gaolathe.
And Bacca tries to counter it with a takedown but Gaolathe pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Gaolathe connects with a jab.
Bacca tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A punch combination from Gaolathe misses.
Bacca changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Gaolathe just misses with a punch to the body.
Bacca drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Gaolathe defends it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gaolathe swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Bacca is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
A lazy left from Gaolathe finds it's target.
Gaolathe throws a low kick but Bacca avoids it.
Bacca feints the counter takedown.
Gaolathe tests Bacca's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good work by Bacca as he checks the leg kick.
Gaolathe changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Gaolathe lands a nice looking body shot.
Bacca bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gaolathe lands with a hook. Bacca tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Bacca displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gaolathe throws out the jab.
Bacca keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gaolathe feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Baccas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Gaolathe throws a looping overhand right but Bacca ducks down to avoid it.
Bacca steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gaolathe.
Gaolathe thuds his right hand into Bacca's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Gaolathe darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Oganeditse Gaolathe is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaolathe works the jab nicely.
Bacca takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Bacca has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gaolathe. Bacca does a little dance to reset his feet.
Oganeditse Gaolathe is winning the standup battle so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gaolathe jabs Bacca to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Bacca bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gaolathe throws a series of punches but Bacca moves out of range.
Bacca keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gaolathe.
Bacca changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Gaolathe misses with a wild body shot.
Gaolathe cracks a nice hook into Bacca's ribs.
Bacca moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Gaolathe lands a right hook to the body.
Gaolathe misses with a wild body shot.
Bacca tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Gaolathe throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bacca sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bacca is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bacca ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bacca is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Gaolathe throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bacca keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bacca is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Gaolathe changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Gaolathe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gaolathe misses with a looping right.
Gaolathe throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Gaolathe throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bacca.
Gaolathe takes a swing at Bacca's ribcage but misses.
Bacca drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Gaolathe defends it well.
Gaolathe throws the left hand but Bacca avoids the punch easily.
Bacca feints the counter takedown.
Gaolathe throws a body punch but Bacca moves out of range.
Bacca tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Oganeditse Gaolathe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gaolathe fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bacca manages to avoid it.
Bacca changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bacca keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Bacca ducks under a wild hook from Gaolathe.
And Bacca tries to counter it with a takedown but Gaolathe pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Bacca is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Gaolathe fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bacca manages to avoid it.
And Bacca tries to counter it with a takedown but Gaolathe pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gaolathe. Bacca does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bacca drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Gaolathe defends it well.
Gaolathe throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bacca with the counter takedown but Gaolathe avoids it easily.
Bacca slips under a jab from Gaolathe.
And Bacca tries to counter it with a takedown but Gaolathe pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Bacca slips a jab from Gaolathe.
Bacca is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Gaolathe misses the shot to the body.
Gaolathe tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bacca was well out of range. Poor timing from Gaolathe.
Gaolathe just misses with a punch to the body.
Chuy Bacca has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gaolathe is looking to slow Bacca down with leg kicks.

And that's the end of the fight!
Oganeditse Gaolathe showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Gaolathe has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Francis DeMontford scores the fight 30:25
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 30:25
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Oganeditse Gaolathe!
A victorious Oganeditse Gaolathe thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.