PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Georgs Elmars (ranked 4790 p4p, 2958 weight class) and Gustavo Figueroa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Elmars might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Warrior's Anthem by Skyforger. Figueroa has chosen Gangsta, Gangsta - NWA as his entrance music. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Elmars
vs
Figueroa

155 cm
19
135
0 - 0 - 0

172 cm
35
145
12 - 5 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid Muay Thai
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Georgs Elmars!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gustavo Figueroa!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Percy O'Donnell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Elmars slips a jab from Figueroa.
Figueroa misses with a straight right.
Figueroa throws a hook to the side of Elmars's head but Elmars sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Elmars wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
A left lands for Figueroa.
Figueroa throws out a leg kick but Elmars moves out of range and Figueroa only half commits.
Figueroa moves into range and connects with a jab.
Figueroa cracks Elmars with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Elmars slips under a jab.
Elmars half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Figueroa misses with a combination

and Elmars moves into the clinch.

Elmars has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Figueroa uses from the top position.
Elmars might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Figueroa would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Figueroa decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Gustavo Figueroa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Figueroa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Elmars.
Elmars is looking to counter the offense by Figueroa and move into the clinch.
Figueroa scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Figueroa looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Elmars is looking to counter the offense by Figueroa and move into the clinch.
Elmars staying out of range there.
Elmars attempts a counter takedown but Figueroa avoids it well and moves away.
Figueroa misses with a wild combination.
Figueroa throws a body punch but Elmars moves out of range.
Jab, jab by Figueroa - just one landing.
Figueroa throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Elmars drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Figueroa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Figueroa feints and then cracks Elmars's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Elmars down.
Figueroa throws a hook to the side of Elmars's head but Elmars sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Elmars blocks a jab.
A big right from Figueroa misses.
Elmars appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Figueroa looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Figueroa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Elmars bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Figueroa throws out a loose jab but Elmars uses good head movement to avoid it.
Figueroa throws a series of punches but Elmars avoids them all with ease.
Elmars tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Figueroa manages to circle out of the way.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Figueroa with a hook.
Figueroa is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Figueroa throws a jab but it's blocked by Elmars.
Elmars avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
As Figueroa tries to get set, Elmars tries to push him back and clinch up but Figueroa manages to avoid the attempt.
Figueroa throws a head kick but Elmars moves out of range.
Elmars tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Figueroa manages to circle out of the way.
Elmars keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Elmars seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Elmars takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Figueroa lands with a right hand.
Figueroa misses with a head kick.
Figueroa missing with a left hand there. Elmars was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Elmars drops down looking for a counter takedown but Figueroa sprawls and moves away.
Figueroa misses with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Figueroa will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A slow jab from Figueroa misses its intended target.
Elmars takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Figueroa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Elmars was well out of range. Poor timing from Figueroa.
Elmars wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Figueroa looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Elmars is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Figueroa.
Elmars staying out of range there.
A telegraphed right hand from Figueroa misses the target.
Elmars seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Elmars steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Figueroa.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Figueroa misses with a kick to the body.
Elmars is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Figueroa.
Elmars moves out of range as Figueroa strikes.
Figueroa missing with a left hand there. Elmars was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
As Figueroa tries to get set, Elmars tries to push him back and clinch up but Figueroa manages to avoid the attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gustavo Figueroa dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A head kick misses from Figueroa.
Elmars tries to counter by clinching up but Figueroa breaks away and moves out of range.
Figueroa throws a shot from downtown. Elmars moves away and avoids it.
Elmars half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Figueroa connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Figueroa fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Elmars on the side of the head.
Figueroa misses with a right hand

and Elmars counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Figueroa breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Figueroa throws a hook but Elmars avoids it easily.
Figueroa throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Elmars decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Figueroa's guard.
Figueroa being controlled here, momentarily.
Elmars trying to control the position from guard on top but Figueroa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Elmars's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Elmars pushes down on Figueroa's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Figueroa tries to get to full guard but Elmars has control of the leg.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Elmars is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Elmars looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Elmars's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Figueroa is really trying hard to get back to his feet.

Elmars is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Figueroa is surviving well by controlling Elmars's body position as best he can.
Figueroa wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Elmars tries to control but Figueroa wriggling away.
You get the feeling that Figueroa really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Figueroa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Elmars takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Figueroa has given up his back. Will we see Elmars going for some submissions?
Figueroa can't escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Figueroa is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Elmars trying to control momentarily.
Elmars is really struggling to control Figueroa but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Figueroa is trying to stand back up.
Elmars trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Georgs Elmars dominated that second round.
That's time! Elmars's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Figueroa lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Figueroa missing with a left hand there. Elmars was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Elmars half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Elmars moves away from the strike by Figueroa.
As Figueroa tries to get set, Elmars tries to push him back and clinch up but Figueroa manages to avoid the attempt.
Elmars checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Elmars drops down looking for a counter takedown but Figueroa sprawls and moves away.
Elmars checks the leg kick.
Figueroa throws a shot from downtown. Elmars moves away and avoids it.
Elmars uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Figueroa.
Elmars seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Figueroa feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Elmarss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
A left lands for Figueroa.
Figueroa throws a series of punches but Elmars moves out of range.
Gustavo Figueroa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Figueroa misses.
As Figueroa tries to get set, Elmars tries to push him back and clinch up but Figueroa manages to avoid the attempt.
Figueroa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Elmars moves away.
Figueroa walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Elmars checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Figueroa misses with a wild body shot.
Elmars attempts a counter takedown but Figueroa avoids it well and moves away.
Elmars checks a leg kick.
Elmars blocks a low kick nicely.
Elmars is looking to counter the offense by Figueroa and move into the clinch.
Figueroa misses the jab.
Figueroa misses with a low kick as Elmars jumps back.
Elmars appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Figueroa swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Elmars counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Elmars tries to pull guard but Figueroa holds him up against the cage and eventually Elmars drops back down to his feet.
Elmars tries to pull guard but Figueroa holds him up against the cage and eventually Elmars drops back down to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Figueroa misses with a punch to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Figueroa.
Figueroa has a couple of punches blocked by Elmars.
Figueroa can't find room to land a body shot as Elmars controls the action.
Figueroa misses with a hook from the clinch.
Elmars tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Figueroa just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Georgs Elmars. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Figueroa lands a body punch.
Elmars jumps guard but Figueroa turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Elmars is trying to pull guard but Figueroa turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Elmars is looking for a takedown.
A short right from Figueroa on the inside.
Elmars tries to pull guard but Figueroa won't allow it.
Figueroa lands a body punch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A short right from Figueroa on the inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Figueroa presses Elmars against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Figueroa misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Elmars tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Figueroa smiles and moves away.
Figueroa cracks a nice hook into Elmars's ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Figueroa throws a looping overhand right but Elmars ducks down to avoid it.
Figueroa closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Figueroa misses with a looping left.
As Figueroa tries to get set, Elmars tries to push him back and clinch up but Figueroa manages to avoid the attempt.
A lazy left from Figueroa finds it's target.
Figueroa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Elmars takes a kick to the side of the head.
Elmars on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Figueroa uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Figueroa lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
A big left from Figueroa misses.
Elmars tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Figueroa manages to circle out of the way.
A big right from Figueroa misses.
Elmars feinted with a counter takedown.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Figueroa throws a head kick that misses.
Elmars checks a leg kick.
As Figueroa tries to get set, Elmars tries to push him back and clinch up but Figueroa manages to avoid the attempt.
Figueroa throws a shot from downtown. Elmars moves away and avoids it.
Figueroa looks to land a left hand but Elmars moved out of range nicely.
Elmars attempts a counter takedown but Figueroa avoids it well and moves away.
Figueroa waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Elmars.
Figueroa walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Elmars checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gustavo Figueroa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Figueroa has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 26:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 26:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 26:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gustavo Figueroa!
Gustavo Figueroa decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.
The defeated Georgs Elmars had this to say: 'Every fight, win or lose, is a valuable lesson. I want to thank my opponent for a tough battle and for pushing me to my limits.'.