PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Gilmat Kirk (ranked 1234 p4p, 1462 weight class) and J Gay G (ranked 139 p4p, 162 weight class). Kirk kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Lords of Iron. Gay G is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Down. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Kirk
vs
Gay G

170 cm
36
148
13 - 9 - 0

169 cm
35
151
21 - 22 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Fast

IC&E Nutrition
Barry Bonds Performance Enhancers -160Q

Brooklyn Apothecary
Bondi MMA 🏝️

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 13 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Gilmat Kirk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 22 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, J Gay G!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Radbod Blank and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kirk has managed to clinch.
Gay G pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kirk blocking some punches.
Gay G prevents the takedown attempt.
A short left from Kirk.
Gay G misses with a knee to the head.
Gay G tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Kirk wants the takedown. Gay G is fighting it off but Kirk persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Gay G's guard against the cage.
Gay G looking for a sweep. Not yet Gay G, not yet.

Kirk drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kirk jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Gay G looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kirk working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kirk stopping the sweep attempt from Gay G.
Gay G keeping moving, preventing Kirk from controlling successfully.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Kirk throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gay G works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Gay G wants to sweep but no luck.
Kirk postures up in Gay G's guard and throws a big left but Gay G blocks it.
Kirk scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirk trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kirk works over Gay G with some ground and pound from guard.
Gay G working a defensive guard here.
Gay G pulls Kirk in to control the position.
Kirk working some strikes from top position.
Gay G seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kirk pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gay G is keeping the position for now.
Gay G keeping moving, preventing Kirk from controlling successfully.
Kirk with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gay G is pulling down on Kirk's head to control his posture.
Kirk stopping the sweep attempt from Gay G.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gay G trying to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gay G utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kirk stands up over Gay G, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Kirk 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.

Gay G is looking for a triangle but Kirk pushes his legs off easily.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gay G is on top in guard.

Gay G trying to control the position from guard on top but Kirk is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kirk pulls Gay G in to control the position.
Gay G wants to control from the top but Kirk keeps moving.
Gay G must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Gay G is looking to work some ground and pound but Kirk has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gay G throws a big elbow that misses.

Gay G is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Kirk is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Kirk has escaped and now he's on top!

Gay G looking for a sweep. Not yet Gay G, not yet.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gay G is on top in guard.

Kirk keeping moving, preventing Gay G from controlling successfully.
Kirk wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Kirk has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirk not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gay G trying to control but Kirk is working from the bottom.
Kirk bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gay G's guard.

Kirk postures up and lands a big shot to Gay G's brow.
Kirk won't allow Gay G to sweep him here.
Kirk cracks Gay G with a solid left hand.
We've been hearing that Kirk has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Gay G is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kirk is looking to work some ground and pound but Gay G has wrist control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gay G utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gay G utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gay G tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kirk lands a couple of digs.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gilmat Kirk dominated that round.
That's time! Kirk's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kirk fails with an attempt to clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Gay G throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kirk scores with a shoulder strike.
Kirk is working for takedown but Gay G is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kirk wants a takedown but no success here.
Gay G tries to stall but Kirk uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kirk looking to slow down the pace here.
Gay G throws an elbow that misses.
Kirk is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Gay G is keeping busy.
Kirk's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gay G tries a knee to the head but Kirk blocks it.
Gay G with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Gay G's coach down at Punch Out Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Gay G's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Kirk throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Gay G blocks it with crossed arms.
Kirk is leaning against Gay G and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Kirk pulls guard successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirk wants to stand but Gay G is controlling the position.
Gay G's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Kirk is pulling down on Gay G's head. It's preventing any offense from Gay G, at least for the moment.
Kirk working a defensive guard here.
Kirk 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.
Kirk keeping moving, preventing Gay G from controlling successfully.
Gay G pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kirk is keeping the position for now.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kirk fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gilmat Kirk. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gay G uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kirk.
Kirk tries to close the distance and clinch but Gay G swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gay G drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kirk defends it well.
Nice uppercut lands for Gay G. That snapped Kirk's head back.

Kirk clinches.
Gay G misses with a knee strike.
Kirk tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Gay G smiles and moves away.
Nice uppercut there from Gay G.
Kirk tries to clinch but Gay G is having none of it.
Kirk avoids the body shot from Gay G.
Kirk swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Kirk tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kirk tries to clinch there but Gay G circles away.
Kirk is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Kirk gets a double leg takedown into Gay G's guard.
Kirk postures up and lands a big shot to Gay G's brow.
Gilmat Kirk overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gay G trying to keep a closed guard but Kirk is proving a slippery customer.
Kirk throws a big right hand that misses.
Kirk is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kirk postures up.
Kirk loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kirk works over Gay G with some ground and pound from guard.
Gay G pulls Kirk in to control the position.
Gay G is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Kirk thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gay G wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Gay G keeping full guard, as Kirk tries to pass.
Kirk being controlled here momentarily.
Kirk wants to control from the top but Gay G keeps moving.
Kirk throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gay G works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Gay G trying to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gay G lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Kirk has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Gilmat Kirk will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Gay G changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kirk moves to clinch but Gay G breaks away
and Gay G counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Kirk tries to clinch up.
Kirk is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gay G can do to turn this around?

Kirk has Gay G up against the cage in a clinch.
Kirk wants to take the fight to the mat but Gay G manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Gay G.
Kirk wants to stall.
Gay G misses with a knee to the head.
Gilmat Kirk has scored more points in the clinch so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kirk is looking to control Gay G's arms but Gay G gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kirk has his back to the cage.
Nice body punch from Gay G.
Gay G misses with a knee strike.
Gay G misses with a knee to the head.
Kirk has Gay G pressed against the cage.

Kirk has Gay G pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Kirk pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Gay G tumbling to the mat - Kirk dives into Gay G's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gay G is trying to keep Kirk in close.
Kirk trying to control but Gay G is working from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gay G is on top in guard.

Gay G in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kirk keeping moving, preventing Gay G from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kirk is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Gay G is looking to work some ground and pound but Kirk has wrist control.
Gay G working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Gay G drops back, looking for a kneebar! Kirk looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Kirk looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Kirk!

Gay G is looking to reverse the position.
Gay G takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Kirk in side control lands a decent elbow.
Gay G struggling a bit here.
Kirk scoring with punches from side control.
Gay G struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Check out the look on Kirk's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

Kirk is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Gay G is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Sloppy strikes there by Kirk.
Gay G is trying to improve his position.
Kirk working away.
Kirk is chipping away with strikes.

Kirk tries for a kimura but Gay G is defending well.

Kirk goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Gay G has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Kirk but great work by Gay G.
Gay G moves into full mount!
Kirk wants to try and get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirk tries to hold on but Gay G pushes him away.
Gay G landing shots from mount.
Gay G controlling from the full mount.
Kirk wants to hold on but Gay G pushes him away.

Gay G is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Kirk can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Kirk sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
J Gay G has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gilmat Kirk is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gay G missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
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!
Gay G missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Gay G looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to J Gay G.
I think Kirk 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 29:28
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gilmat Kirk!
A relieved looking Gilmat Kirk thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.