PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between AJ Gardener (ranked 5875 p4p, 5810 weight class) and Caligola Daskalakis (ranked 445 p4p, 441 weight class). AJ Gardener has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Gardener
vs
Daskalakis

194 cm
20
147
1 - 1 - 0

172 cm
25
156
0 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, AJ Gardener!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Caligola Daskalakis!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Peter Branson and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gardener misses with a takedown attempt - Daskalakis sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Gardener keeps the fight on the outside.
Gardener is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Daskalakis.
Daskalakis displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gardener.

Daskalakis moves into the clinch successfully.
Daskalakis gets underhooks to prevent Gardener's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for AJ Gardener. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Daskalakis stops a takedown attempt from Gardener.
Gardener drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gardener definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gardener has Daskalakis pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Daskalakis manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Daskalakis lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Gardener is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Daskalakis gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daskalakis is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Daskalakis working some strikes from top position.
Gardener utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Daskalakis connects with a couple of short punches.
Daskalakis distracts Gardener with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Daskalakis working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Gardener's head.
Daskalakis with a nice head shot there.
Daskalakis connects with a couple of short punches.
Daskalakis keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Gardener's head.

Gardener is rocked!
Gardener knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Daskalakis on the ground.
Daskalakis connects with a couple of short punches.
Oh Gardener is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Daskalakis arches his back and unloads with a massive left and a right! Gardener's eyes roll back into his head, he's out cold! The ref dives in to stop the fight - wow, they were hard shots!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Caligola Daskalakis!