PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Matth Thibodeaux (ranked 3508 p4p, 3513 weight class) and Carbone Gotto (ranked 419 p4p, 420 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Carbone Gotto enters the cage!

Thibodeaux
vs
Gotto

175 cm
25
170
1 - 0 - 0

176 cm
25
176
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Island Boys Nutrition

Highland Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Matth Thibodeaux!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Carbone Gotto!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Santiago Holmes and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gotto shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Thibodeaux eats them both and turns towards Gotto to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

Thibodeaux lands a left and a right that sends Gotto crashing to the canvas! Thibodeaux dives into mount looking to finish!

Gotto is rocked!

It looks like Carbone Gotto has been cut.
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.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thibodeaux looking to control but Gotto is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Gotto is still in real trouble! Can Thibodeaux finish him?
Gotto tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Thibodeaux wants to take Gotto's back here but Gotto is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
Gotto seems to have recovered his senses.
Gotto manages to control the position for a moment.
Gotto is looking to improve his position but Thibodeaux isn't that keen on the idea.
Thibodeaux wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thibodeaux looking to control but Gotto is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gotto is working to get back to half guard.
Thibodeaux trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Thibodeaux is really struggling to control Gotto but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Gotto prevents any damage by holding on tight.
Thibodeaux wants to take Gotto's back here but Gotto is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
Gotto is squirming around, avoiding Thibodeaux's attempts to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gotto manages to control the position for a moment.
Thibodeaux wants to take his opponent's back but Gotto doesn't allow it.
Gotto is wriggling around trying to escape.
Gotto wants to hold on but Thibodeaux pushes him away.
Thibodeaux wants to control the pace but Gotto is squirming around nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Gotto is looking to improve his position but Thibodeaux isn't that keen on the idea.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gotto reaches up and holds on to Thibodeaux to control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Matth Thibodeaux dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Carbone Gotto's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Thibodeaux falls off balance throwing a combination
and Gotto counters with a stiff right hand.
Matth Thibodeaux is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gotto defending well as Thibodeaux loads up on a big left hand.
Thibodeaux uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gotto.
Gotto jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nice straight punches there by Thibodeaux. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux misses with a left hand
and Thibodeaux takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thibodeaux showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gotto.
Thibodeaux slips under a jab from Gotto.
Gotto's coach down at HB Training center was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Gotto's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thibodeaux staying out of range there.
Thibodeaux falls off balance throwing a combination
enabling Gotto to counter with a crisp jab.
Thibodeaux takes a jab right on the kisser.

Thibodeaux lands a jab followed by a vicious hook that sends Gotto sprawling to the canvas. Thibodeaux follows him down, looking for the kill. Can Gotto hang on?
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gotto tries to get to full guard but Thibodeaux has control of the leg.
Gotto is controlling Thibodeaux's trapped leg to prevent Thibodeaux from advancing to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gotto is staying active underneath Thibodeaux, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Gotto controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Gotto is not content to let Thibodeaux control the position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gotto is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
A shot to the liver by Gotto. Beautiful body shot.
Thibodeaux wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Gotto misses with an uppercut. Thibodeaux saw that one coming.
Gotto takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Thibodeaux punishes Gotto's body with a nice straight punch.
Thibodeaux throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Gotto stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gotto throws a hook to the side of Thibodeaux's head but Thibodeaux sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gotto misses with a straight left.
Thibodeaux with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Thibodeaux throws a looping overhand right but Gotto ducks down to avoid it.
Thibodeaux is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gotto can do to turn this around?
Thibodeaux lands a jab to Gotto's midsection.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gotto throws a body shot but no joy.
It looked like Thibodeaux wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Thibodeaux thuds his right hand into Gotto's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Thibodeaux scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Thibodeaux gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Thibodeaux takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Matth Thibodeaux dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Carbone Gotto's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Thibodeaux scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Thibodeaux misses with a straight left.
Thibodeaux looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Donk. Thibodeaux catches Gotto right on the button with a cross.
Thibodeaux avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gotto misses with a wild body shot.
Gotto takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thibodeaux swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Thibodeaux closes the distance and lands a vicious right hand that drops Gotto! Thibodeaux dives in looking to finish! Gotto is still trying to defend himself but he's taking too many shots and the referee has no choice but to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:53 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Matth Thibodeaux!