PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ricky Gilreath (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brandon Love (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Gilreath
vs
Love

225 cm
21
240 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

193 cm
22
260 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ricky Gilreath!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Brandon Love!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Anni Minnemäki and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gilreath stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gilreath wants it to stay on the feet.
Love is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gilreath sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Love has a takedown stuffed.
Ricky Gilreath has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brandon Love.
Gilreath shoots in and drives through. Love sprawls well.
Gilreath really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Love moves in looking to clinch but Gilreath pushes him off.
Brandon Love seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Love fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gilreath swinging wilding here.

Love tries to keep at a distance but Gilreath has taken the fight into the clinch.
Gilreath has Love pressed against the cage, preventing Love from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Love is trying to break free.
Gilreath goes for a takedown in the clinch but Love prevents it.
Gilreath is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Love wants to break the clinch but can't.
Love should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Gilreath gets control of Love's arms and successfully pulls guard. Gilreath will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Love throws a strike but Gilreath rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Gilreath in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Love throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Love throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Love is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Gilreath got a little sloppy there for a moment and Love has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gilreath has managed to get both his arms back between Love's legs - danger averted.
Gilreath wants to control from the top but Love keeps moving.

Love had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Gilreath is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Love Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Gilreath's back instead.
Love missing with punches from the back.
Love keeps control of the position as Gilreath tries to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Love landing with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gilreath wants to control his opponent's hands but Love gets his hands free.
Gilreath covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.

Love is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Gilreath is defending well though. Love let's go of the attempt for now.
Love lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Gilreath hold on?!
Gilreath trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Love lands strikes to the head.
Love is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Love gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Love gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Love apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Love misses with a takedown

and Gilreath counters by clinching up.
Love working hard to break the clinch.
Love prevents a body shot from Gilreath.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Love wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A frustrated look appears on Love's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Love is looking to break free of the clinch but Gilreath has double underhooks.
Gilreath has Love pressed against the cage, preventing Love from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Love is looking to break free of the clinch but Gilreath has double underhooks.
Love has had enough of the clinch but Gilreath keeps him there for the moment.
Love wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Gilreath looking for a takedown.
Love wants to break free but Gilreath has control.
A frustrated look appears on Love's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Love is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Gilreath tries to break the clinch but Love is controlling the position.
Love wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Love working hard to break the clinch.
Love wants to break the clinch but can't.
Love is trying to break free.
Gilreath has Love pressed against the cage, preventing Love from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Love can't break the clinch.
Love is trying to break the clinch but Gilreath has him pressed against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Love's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Love is trying to break free.
Gilreath prevents Love from breaking the clinch.
Gilreath has Love pressed against the cage, preventing Love from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Love looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Love wants to break free but Gilreath has control.

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.
Love wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Love has had enough of the clinch but Gilreath keeps him there for the moment.
Gilreath keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Love's efforts to push away.
Love looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Love has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Gilreath keeps control of Love as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Love wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Love is trying to break the clinch but Gilreath is controlling him.
Gilreath has Love pressed against the cage, preventing Love from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Love wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gilreath has him pressed against the cage.

Gilreath's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Love misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Love fails with the takedown.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Gilreath.
Love is not content to let Gilreath control the position.
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 Ricky Gilreath will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Love tries to clinch there but Gilreath circles away.
Love with a poor takedown
and Gilreath counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Love doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Gilreath counters with a head kick.
Love is looking to clinch.
Love shoots and misses
and Gilreath counters with a body kick that stops Love in his tracks momentarily.
Ricky Gilreath has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brandon Love.
Love is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gilreath sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Gilreath decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Gilreath is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Love doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gilreath.
Gilreath seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Love does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gilreath looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Love missing with punches from the bottom.
Love punching from the bottom.
Gilreath blocks the strikes from Love.
Love misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Love is looking for a sweep. Gilreath is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Love gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Gilreath counters by clinching up.
Love is trying to break free.
Love wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Gilreath is trying to drag Love to the mat but Love just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Love can't break the clinch.
Love looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Gilreath has Love pressed against the cage, preventing Love from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Gilreath wants a takedown but no success here.
Love tries to score a body lock takedown but Gilreath shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Love wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Love has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Love wants to break the clinch but can't.
Love wants to get back to striking at distance but Gilreath won't allow it.
Gilreath has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Love avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Love wants to break free but Gilreath has control.
Gilreath looking for a takedown.
Love tries for a takedown but Gilreath manages to get underhooks.
Love is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Gilreath keeps control of Love as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Love wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Love is trying to break the clinch but Gilreath is controlling him.
Love can't break the clinch.
Gilreath is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

Gilreath jumps guard.
Love thows a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gilreath is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Gilreath drags the fight down to the ground.
Gilreath controlling Love's posture.
Love passes Gilreath's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Love working Gilreath over with strikes.
Love looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Love lands a nice short elbow.
Love really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gilreath. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Gilreath looks like he's trying to stand up.
Love looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Ground and pound from Love.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Love throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Gilreath flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Love with the ground and pound but Gilreath uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Love thows a big elbow that misses.

Love avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Love circles away from the clinch attempt.
Love is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
No luck for Love with that takedown attempt.
Love fails with a takedown attempt.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Gilreath.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Gilreath dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Gilreath lands a head kick. Love smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Love with a poor takedown

and Gilreath counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Gilreath trying to mount his opponent but Love defends it.

Love looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Love tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Love throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gilreath not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Love is not content to let Gilreath control the position.

Love looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Love throws a sloppy strike from the bottom. He's now off balance and Gilreath manages to pass to side control.
Gilreath working the body and head with strikes.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Love shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Gilreath counters by moving into the clinch.
Gilreath prevents Love from breaking the clinch.
Love has had enough of the clinch but Gilreath keeps him there for the moment.

Gilreath manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Ricky Gilreath overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gilreath manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Love manages to get himself to full guard.
Gilreath wants to control from the top but Love keeps moving.
Love throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gilreath trying to control the position from guard on top but Love is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Love looking for a guillotine here but Gilreath defends easily.

Love is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gilreath is aware though and is defending well.
Love is striking from the bottom but Gilreath uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
Gilreath wants to lay and pray for a moment but Love keeps working.
Love throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Love gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Gilreath counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Ricky Gilreath has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brandon Love.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Love shoots in but Gilreath avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Gilreath throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Love tries to clinch up
and Gilreath counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Love is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Love has his takedown stuffed

and Gilreath holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Gilreath controlling the action here for a moment.
Love tries to circle away but Gilreath has him pinned against the cage.
Love tries to circle away but Gilreath has him pinned against the cage.
Love wants to get back to striking at distance but Gilreath won't allow it.
Love wants to get back to striking at distance but Gilreath won't allow it.
Gilreath is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Love gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Love wants to break free but Gilreath has control.

That's four 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.
Love tries to break free but Gilreath pushes him back against the cage.
Love wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gilreath prevents Love from breaking the clinch.

Gilreath's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Love has a takedown stuffed.
Love doesn't manage to clinch there - Gilreath circles away.
Love tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Gilreath decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Love's guard.
Gilreath scoring with some ground and pound.

Love has his foot on Gilreath's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gilreath works his way back into a safe position though.
Gilreath will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Love throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Love can do anything to dispel that myth.
Gilreath advances to half guard.
Brandon Love has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ricky Gilreath is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gilreath is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricky Gilreath showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Gilreath 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricky Gilreath!