PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Stipe Velasquez (ranked 6378 p4p, 4135 weight class) and Sandy Gower (ranked 534 p4p, 438 weight class). Velasquez kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Gaining Momentum by MC Hammer. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Velasquez
vs
Gower

187 cm
33
240
10 - 18 - 0

190 cm
41
226
12 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Stipe Velasquez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sandy Gower!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, James Atkins and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Velasquez throws a sloppy body shot
and Gower counters with a low kick, right behind Velasquez 's knee.
Gower keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gower showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Velasquez.
Gower ducks under a wild hook from Velasquez.
We've been informed that Gower has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Velasquez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gower moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gower throws out a counter right but Velasquez avoids it with no problem.
Velasquez throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gower sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Velasquez takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Gower tests Velasquez's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Gower 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.
Gower lands a nice shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gower uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Velasquez.
Velasquez scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Velasquez throws a lazy right hand but Gower sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gower throws a body kick that misses.
Gower connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
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!
Gower misses with a body kick.
Velasquez has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasquez lands a head shot.
Velasquez throws a right hand that Gower ducks under and follows up with a left that Gower also avoids with ease.
Gower dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Velasquez looks to score with a jab to the body but Gower is just out of range.
Gower lands a nice leg kick that just misses Velasquez's sensitive parts.
Gower cracks Velasquez with a right hand to the side of the head.
Gower throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Velasquez checks the leg kick.
Gower feints and then cracks Velasquez's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Velasquez down.
Gower with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Gower misses with a hook. Velasquez ducked under it nicely.
Velasquez throws a body shot but no joy.
Velasquez misses the body punch
and Gower cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Velasquez misses with a wild combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gower throws a low kick but Velasquez avoids it.
Velasquez swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gower lands a jab to the head.
Gower missing with a left hand there. Velasquez was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gower moves out of range as Velasquez strikes.
Gower looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Velasquez misses the body punch
and Gower counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Velasquez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gower was well out of range. Poor timing from Velasquez.
Velasquez shoots in and drives through. Gower sprawls well.
Gower scores with a leg kick.
Velasquez loads up on a big right hand but Gower slips the punch.
The fighters circle momentarily. Velasquez darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Velasquez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gower scores with a jab. Velasquez acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Gower is looking to chop away at Velasquez's legs.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gower. Velasquez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Velasquez slips a jab from Gower.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gower throws a body punch but Velasquez moves out of range.
Velasquez seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Velasquez moves out of range of the body kick.
Velasquez throws a lazy uppercut
and Gower counters with a nice uppercut.
Gower swinging wildly here.
Velasquez connects with a jab.
A slow jab from Gower misses its intended target.
Velasquez tries to counter by clinching up but Gower breaks away and moves out of range.
Velasquez avoids the body shot from Gower.
Velasquez looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Gower misses with a double jab.
Gower works Velasquez's body with a nice hook.
Gower bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A left lands for Velasquez.
Velasquez misses with a lunging right hand
and Gower counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Velasquez steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gower.
Velasquez misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gower lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Velasquez on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Gower scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Gower misses with an uppercut. Velasquez saw that one coming.
A punch combination from Gower misses.
Velasquez misses with a left hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Velasquez misses with a few strikes there.
Gower scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Velasquez fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gower fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Velasquez manages to avoid it.
Gower tries to land a front kick but Velasquez steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Velasquez avoids a punch combination nicely.
Velasquez is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Gower.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sandy Gower dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gower throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Velasquez doesn't manage to clinch there - Gower circles away.
Velasquez fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Gower on the side of the head.
Gower uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Velasquez.
Gower slips under a jab from Velasquez.
Gower scores with a hook.
Gower throws a leg kick but Velasquez moved away.
A little feinted left hand from Velasquez on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Gower steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Velasquez.
Velasquez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gower.
Gower misses with a low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gower lands an overhand right.
Gower connects with a jab.
Velasquez is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Velasquez avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Gower feints and then cracks Velasquez's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Velasquez down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gower throws a good cross that connects.
Gower moves away from the strike by Velasquez.
Velasquez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Velasquez scores with a shot to the body.
Gower throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Velasquez swings for the body but Gower moves out of range.
Velasquez takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Gower connects with a jab.
Gower on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Velasquez throws a jab when Gower was well out of range.
Gower fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Velasquez manages to avoid it.
Gower slips under a jab from Velasquez.
Gower looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Velasquez staying out of range there.
Velasquez swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A good leg kick by Gower.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gower throws a leg kick but Velasquez moved away.
Velasquez pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Velasquez takes a swing at Gower's ribcage but misses.
Velasquez takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Velasquez blocks a low kick nicely.
Gower ducks under a wild hook from Velasquez.
Sandy Gower seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Velasquez tries to bum rush Gower with a series of wild strikes but Gower uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gower throws out a counter right but Velasquez avoids it with no problem.
Gower attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Gower has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gower slips under a jab from Velasquez.
Velasquez moves into range and connects with a jab.
Velasquez wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Gower blocks a jab.
As Velasquez backs off Gower throws a huge counter combo but Velasquez manages to avoid it all.
Velasquez avoids a kick to the body.
Velasquez tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Gower manages to circle out of the way.
Velasquez is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Gower lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Gower.
Velasquez misses with a two punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez is looking to clinch but Gower is avoiding it.
Nice defenses there by Velasquez.
A jab from Velasquez misses.
Gower throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Velasquez appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Gower fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Velasquez.
Velasquez looks to land a left hand but Gower moved out of range nicely.
Gower scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Gower moves into range and clinches up with Velasquez.
Velasquez pushes Gower back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Gower lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Velasquez looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Velasquez throws an elbow that misses.
A short right from Gower.
Gower blocks the elbow strike.
Velasquez misses with an elbow strike.
Velasquez lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Gower struggles to land a body shot inside as Velasquez controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez tries to throw a body punch but Gower avoids it by throwing Velasquez back against the cage.
Velasquez pushes off an throws an elbow but Gower leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
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!
Velasquez throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Gower scores with a hook to the body.
A right hand to the body from Gower.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Velasquez misses with an elbow over the top.

Gower breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gower with the inside leg kick.
Velasquez looks to land a right hand but Gower moved out of range.

Velasquez rushes Gower and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Gower.
Velasquez throws an elbow that misses.
Velasquez throws an elbow that misses.
Gower lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Velasquez backwards.
Gower swings wildly with an uppercut but Velasquez uses good head movement to avoid it.
A nice right hand lands inside from Gower.
Gower misses with a body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sandy Gower showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Velasquez tries to close the distance and clinch but Gower swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Velasquez gets a clinch.
Gower pushes Velasquez back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Gower misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short uppercut from Gower.
Velasquez pushes off an throws an elbow but Gower leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Gower tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Velasquez's elbow.
Velasquez throws an elbow that misses.
Velasquez goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Velasquez lands an elbow just above Gower 's eye.

It looks like Sandy Gower has been cut.
Gower is leaning against Velasquez and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Gower misses with a hook to the ribs.
A body shot lands from Gower.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Velasquez tries a body shot but Gower blocks it.
Gower blocks the elbow strike.
Velasquez throws an elbow that misses.
Velasquez misses with an elbow strike.
Gower misses with a punch to the body.
Gower tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Velasquez's elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gower breaks the clinch.
Gower misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Velasquez.
Velasquez missing with a left hand there. Gower was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gower throws a quick inside leg kick.
A big right from Velasquez misses.
Velasquez takes a swing at Gower's ribcage but misses.
Gower misses with a low kick.
Jab by Gower.
Velasquez connects with a body shot.
Gower throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Velasquez counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Velasquez misses with a wild body shot.
Velasquez dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gower throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Velasquez seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Gower lands a jab to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez swinging wildly here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gower. Velasquez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gower scores with a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Velasquez looks to score with a jab to the body but Gower is just out of range.

Velasquez fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gower, pushing him back against the cage.

Gower breaks the clinch.
Gower lands a jab to the head.
Velasquez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gower.
Gower connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Velasquez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gower manages to avoid it.
Gower swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Nice straight punches there by Velasquez. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Velasquez.
Velasquez tests Gower's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Velasquez moves forwards but Gower connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Gower.
Gower avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Velasquez throws a body shot but no joy.
Velasquez lands a head shot.
Velasquez slips under a jab from Gower.
Velasquez throws a body shot but no joy.
Velasquez misses with a body punch
and Gower counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Velasquez fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Gower thows a left - swing and a miss!
Velasquez tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gower swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gower appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Gower throws a body shot but no joy.
Velasquez ducks under a wild hook from Gower.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gower ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
The fighters circle momentarily. Gower darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Gower thuds his right hand into Velasquez's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Good leg kick by Gower.
Velasquez defending well as Gower loads up on a big left hand.
Velasquez wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Gower clinches up with Velasquez and pushes him back against the cage.
Gower misses with a hook from the clinch.
Velasquez misses with a punch to the body.
Velasquez throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Gower misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gower can't find room to land a body shot as Velasquez controls the action.

Gower breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Stipe Velasquez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A shot to the liver by Velasquez. Beautiful body shot.
Velasquez getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Gower feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Velasquezs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Sandy Gower.
Well Gower 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sandy Gower!
During a confident post fight interview, Sandy Gower thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.