PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sand Storm (ranked 4493 p4p, 4308 weight class) and Julio Gabrielle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sand Storm has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Storm
vs
Gabrielle

225 cm
24
205
1 - 1 - 1

192 cm
25
205
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Sand Storm!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Julio Gabrielle!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Chris Dean and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Storm tries to clinch but Gabrielle moves out of range.
Storm fails with the takedown.
Storm closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gabrielle circles away.
Gabrielle unleashes a big counter combination but Storm bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Nice sprawl there from Storm as Gabrielle shoots in.
Storm throws a wild body kick that Gabrielle sees coming a mile off.
Storm blocks a head kick by Gabrielle.
Storm darts in looking for a takedown but Gabrielle gets double underhooks and turns Storm into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sand Storm. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gabrielle gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Storm.
Gabrielle tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Storm just stands there and leans against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Storm wants a takedown but no success here.
Storm tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Gabrielle just stands there and leans against the cage.
Storm is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gabrielle leaning against his opponent.
Storm is trying to pull guard but Gabrielle has him pressed against the cage.
Gabrielle is trying to drag Storm to the mat but Storm just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Gabrielle drops down looking for an ankle pick but Storm pulls his leg out and moves away.
Gabrielle misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Gabrielle throws a half hearted mid kick.
Gabrielle tries to clinch but Storm moves out of range.

Gabrielle takes the fight into the clinch.
Storm gets underhooks to prevent Gabrielle's takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Storm dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Storm is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Gabrielle gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Storm really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Gabrielle breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Storm will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gabrielle shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Storm defends it nicely.
Gabrielle looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Gabrielle fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Storm, pushing him back against the cage.
Gabrielle is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Storm pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Storm wants to take the fight to the mat but Gabrielle manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gabrielle is trying to pull guard but Storm has him pressed against the cage.

Gabrielle jumps guard.
Gabrielle seems keen to control Storm's posture.
Storm postures up in Gabrielle's guard and throws a big left but Gabrielle blocks it.
Gabrielle wants to hit a sweep here but Storm passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Gabrielle there!
Storm wants to control the pace but Gabrielle is squirming around nicely.
Gabrielle wants to control but Storm is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Storm looking to control but Gabrielle is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Storm prevents Gabrielle from getting the reversal.
Gabrielle regains half guard.
Gabrielle is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gabrielle is controlling Storm's position as best he can from this difficult position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Gabrielle fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Gabrielle closes the distance and clinches.
Gabrielle prevents the takedown attempt.
Storm tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Gabrielle just stands there and leans against the cage.
Storm tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Gabrielle smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sand Storm. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gabrielle is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gabrielle tries a head kick but it misses.
Storm tries to counter by clinching up but Gabrielle breaks away and moves out of range.
Gabrielle shoots for a double leg takedown but Storm sprawls well. He's pushed Gabrielle's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Storm changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gabrielle tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Storm defends well and Gabrielle ends up having to push Storm into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Gabrielle lands a jab-cross combination.
Gabrielle goes for a double leg but Storm avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Storm continues to drive forward.
Gabrielle is breathing heavily.
Storm thuds his shin into the meat of Gabrielle's side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gabrielle moves forwards but Storm connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Gabrielle misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Storm dives in and grabs Gabrielle's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gabrielle pushes down on Storm's head and hops out.
Gabrielle showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Storm.
Gabrielle misses with a takedown attempt

and Storm counters by clinching up.

Storm manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Gabrielle not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Storm keeping moving, preventing Gabrielle from controlling successfully.
Storm preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Storm tries to strike from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Storm keeping moving, preventing Gabrielle from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Gabrielle fails with the takedown.
Storm shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gabrielle as he jumps to the side.
Storm tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Gabrielle defends well and Storm ends up having to push Gabrielle into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Gabrielle is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Storm to keep the fight standing.

Gabrielle's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Storm tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gabrielle swivels and escapes.
Gabrielle scores with a push kick.
Gabrielle closes the distance and clinches up with Storm, looking for a takedown. Gabrielle pushes Storm against the cage but Storm circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Julio Gabrielle seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gabrielle misses with a head kick.
Storm tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gabrielle swinging wildly here.
Storm attempts a counter takedown but Gabrielle avoids it well and moves away.
Sand Storm is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gabrielle wants to clinch.
Gabrielle checks a leg kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gabrielle tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
As Gabrielle tries to get set, Storm tries to push him back and clinch up but Gabrielle manages to avoid the attempt.
Storm keeps the fight on the outside.
Gabrielle shoots in but no luck this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Julio Gabrielle will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Gabrielle fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gabrielle tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Storm swivels and escapes.
Storm shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gabrielle as he avoids it easily.
Storm sets himself, and Gabrielle steps forward looking for the clinch! Storm avoids it this time.
Nice sprawl there from Gabrielle as Storm shoots in.
Storm fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gabrielle avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sand Storm. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gabrielle throws a head kick that misses.
Storm seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Gabrielle shoots in for a double leg but Storm sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gabrielle circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gabrielle has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gabrielle has Storm up against the cage in a clinch.
Gabrielle tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Storm successfully pulls guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gabrielle accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gabrielle trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gabrielle pushing down on Storm's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Gabrielle sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Storm defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Storm is looking to control Gabrielle's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Storm avoid being mounted?
Gabrielle seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Gabrielle works his way into full mount!
Julio Gabrielle has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gabrielle throwing strikes here but Storm is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gabrielle stands up from mount. Strange move.
Storm avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Gabrielle closes the distance and clinches.
Gabrielle tries for a takedown but Storm manages to get underhooks.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Gabrielle goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Gabrielle takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Gabrielle's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Some wild striking there from Storm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Storm. No joy for Gabrielle on that attempt.
Gabrielle avoids a kick to the body.

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

Gabrielle drags the fight down to the ground.
Gabrielle keeping moving, preventing Storm from controlling successfully.
Gabrielle is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gabrielle trying to control the position here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Julio Gabrielle comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Gabrielle 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 27:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Julio Gabrielle!