PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Gomez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Javier Xavier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gomez's entrance music is Something in your Mouth. A fine choice. Javier Xavier has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gomez
vs
Xavier

180 cm
20
190 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

175 cm
20
185 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Royalty Apparel
Cage Wars Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Gomez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Javier Xavier!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Leandro Rodrigues and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gomez shoots in and drives through. Xavier sprawls well.

Gomez closes the distance and pushes Xavier back into the cage.

Xavier has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Gomez regains guard immediately.
Xavier's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Gomez is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Despite being in the dominant position, Javier Xavier just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gomez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Xavier but Xavier pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Xavier shoots in for a takedown but Gomez shows good takedown defense.
Xavier has his takedown stuffed

and Gomez decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Xavier's guard.
Xavier bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gomez's guard.
Xavier not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Gomez wants to sweep but no luck.
Xavier stays in close to Gomez's body and controls the position.
Xavier preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xavier is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Gomez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gomez 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.
Xavier controlling from the top position.
Gomez wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xavier showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Despite being in the dominant position, Javier Xavier just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Xavier shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gomez but Gomez pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rafael Gomez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Javier Xavier.
Xavier shoots and misses

and Gomez counters with a shoot takedown. Xavier fights it but they end up in guard.
Gomez being controlled here momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gomez trying to control but Xavier is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Xavier is pulling down on Gomez's head to control his posture.
Gomez preventing the sweep.
Xavier is adopting a defensive guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rafael Gomez will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Gomez throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Xavier was covering up waiting for the punch and Gomez finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Xavier pulls Gomez in close to prevent any damage.
Rafael Gomez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Despite being in the dominant position, Javier Xavier just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Xavier gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Gomez decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Xavier's guard.

Gomez stands up and waves to Xavier to follow him.

Gomez clinches up against the cage.
Gomez gets underhooks to prevent Xavier's takedown attempt.
Gomez wants a takedown but no success here.
Xavier goes for a takedown attempt but Gomez pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Rafael Gomez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Javier Xavier.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gomez displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Xavier.
Gomez throws a head kick that Xavier semi-blocks.
Gomez looks to land a body kick but Xavier moved away.
Xavier shoots for a takedown but Gomez saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Xavier shoots and misses

and Gomez counters with a shoot takedown. Xavier fights it but they end up in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gomez trying to control but Xavier is working from the bottom.
Xavier wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Gomez trying to control the position from guard on top but Xavier is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xavier is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Gomez trying to control but Xavier is working from the bottom.
Xavier is controlling Gomez's posture.
Xavier's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Gomez wants to control from the top but Xavier keeps moving.
Xavier managing to control the position.
Gomez wants to control from the top but Xavier keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Gomez dominated that second round.
That's time! Gomez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Gomez wants to clinch.
Xavier shoots and misses
and Gomez counters with a three punch combo that has Xavier backing up. Xavier nods at Gomez to acknowledge the strikes.

Xavier gets the takedown into side control.
Gomez trying to remain calm as Xavier controls from the top position.
Gomez can't do much from the bottom here.
Gomez is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Gomez trying to remain calm as Xavier controls from the top position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gomez is trying to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gomez seems a little lost for a moment, as Xavier dominates the positioning.
Gomez is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Xavier happy to just control the position for now.

Despite being in the dominant position, Javier Xavier just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Xavier shoots for a double leg takedown but Gomez sprawls well. He's pushed Xavier's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nice takedown defense from Gomez. No joy for Xavier on that attempt.
Rafael Gomez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Javier Xavier.

Gomez darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Gomez is pressing down on Xavier's thigh, looking to free his foot. Xavier is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gomez is thwarting Xavier's attempts to control the position.
Xavier keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Gomez wants to get back to his feet.
Gomez is trying to control. Xavier wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Javier Xavier has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gomez is really struggling to control Xavier but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Xavier makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Xavier.
Gomez being controlled here momentarily.
Xavier keeping moving, preventing Gomez from controlling successfully.
Gomez is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Xavier has Gomez pulled in close to control his posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Gomez trying to control but Xavier is working from the bottom.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Xavier holds on and takes a little breather.
Gomez landing some decent shots from guard.
Xavier keeping moving, preventing Gomez from controlling successfully.

Xavier has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gomez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Xavier is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gomez is aware though and is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Javier Xavier comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Gomez has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 29:28
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rafael Gomez!