PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Luke Lepinakov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eshkar Gabai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gabai has chosen Ya by Mosh Ben-Ari as his entrance music. Luke Lepinakov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Lepinakov
vs
Gabai

170 cm
22
214 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

182 cm
23
202 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Luke Lepinakov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Eshkar Gabai!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Valeri Chadov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gabai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gabai scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Lepinakov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Eshkar Gabai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gabai lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Lepinakov fails with a takedown attempt.
Gabai is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Gabai stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Gabai stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luke Lepinakov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gabai jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Lepinakov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Gabai lands a jab-cross combination.
Lepinakov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A nice combination there by Gabai.
Lepinakov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Lepinakov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gabai circles away.
Gabai lands with a cross.
Gabai is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Lepinakov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gabai as he jumps to the side.
Gabai lands a body shot.
Gabai lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gabai connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Gabai lands with a right hand.
Gabai fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Lepinakov on the side of the head.
Lepinakov walks into a straight right hand from Gabai.
Gabai lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Gabai!
Gabai stuns Lepinakov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Gabai lands with an uppercut that bounces Lepinakov off the cage and back into rage.
Lepinakov has a takedown stuffed.
Gabai is working the combinations to good effect here.
Lepinakov is breathing heavily.
A right-left combo lands from Gabai.
Gabai displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Gabai scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lepinakov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gabai sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Gabai has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Lepinakov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Gabai fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Lepinakov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Gabai moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Gabai lands with a nice body punch.

Lepinakov scores with a takedown into Gabai's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gabai striking off his back but it's not causing Lepinakov any problems.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gabai tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gabai bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Lepinakov's guard.
Gabai trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Gabai avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Lepinakov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Gabai trying to control but Lepinakov is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lepinakov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Gabai is looking to stand up but Lepinakov won't let him.

Lepinakov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gabai defends well.

Lepinakov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Lepinakov can't keep his opponent in guard - Gabai advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Lepinakov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gabai tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

Lepinakov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gabai pulls his head out easily.
Gabai is pressing down on Lepinakov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Lepinakov is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gabai gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Lepinakov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Lepinakov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Gabai tries to avoid it but Lepinakov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Gabai to the ground. Gabai escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Gabai dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gabai digs a good body shot into Lepinakov's ribs.
Lepinakov shoots in for a double leg but Gabai sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Gabai is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round!Lepinakov had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Gabai lands a slapping body shot.
Lepinakov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gabai lands with a right hand.
Lepinakov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Gabai to score with a decent uppercut.
Lepinakov takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Gabai scores with a three punch combo!

Lepinakov drives through with a takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Gabai misses with a hook.
Danga de danga de dang - Gabai scores with a four punch combination!
Lepinakov shoots in looking for a takedown. Gabai tries to sprawl out of it but Lepinakov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gabai manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Gabai works Lepinakov's body with a nice hook.
Lepinakov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gabai but Gabai pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Lepinakov misses with a takedown attempt - Gabai sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luke Lepinakov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lepinakov shoots in but no luck this time.
Gabai lands a right hook to the body.
Gabai lands a jab to Lepinakov's midsection.
Lepinakov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Gabai stuffs the takedown attempt from Lepinakov. Lepinakov gets slowly back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gabai connects with a single shot there.
Gabai lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Eshkar Gabai seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gabai lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Gabai moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Gabai throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Lepinakov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Lepinakov fails to land the takedown.
Lepinakov is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Gabai.
Gabai scores with a jab. Lepinakov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Lepinakov is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Gabai.
Lepinakov shoots in for a takedown but Gabai shows good takedown defense.
Gabai with a jab.
Gabai moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Gabai scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Gabai throws a series of strikes that have Lepinakov backpedaling.
Gabai stuffs the takedown attempt from Lepinakov. Lepinakov gets slowly back to his feet.
Horrible takedown by Lepinakov or perhaps it was just good defense by Gabai which made him look bad.
Lepinakov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lepinakov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Lepinakov takes one on the button.
Lepinakov looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Gabai ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Gabai lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Gabai misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gabai lands a two punch combo.
Lepinakov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Gabai digs a good hook to Lepinakov's body.
Gabai throws a right and a left that both miss.
Gabai tries to bum rush Lepinakov with a series of wild strikes but Lepinakov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Lepinakov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gabai looking for a sweep. Not yet Gabai, not yet.
Lepinakov passes Gabai's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Lepinakov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Gabai is trying to get back to full guard.
Gabai really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Lepinakov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lepinakov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Lepinakov is looking for a kimura but Gabai is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Lepinakov to get the leverage.

Lepinakov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Gabai has managed to free his arm - good work.
Gabai looks like he's trying to stand up.

Lepinakov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Lepinakov is trying to work for a kimura but Gabai is defending well.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Gabai tries to roll over but Lepinakov keeps him under control.

That's four 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.
Gabai is trying to stand up here but Lepinakov is controlling him well.

Lepinakov is looking for a kimura but Gabai is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Lepinakov to get the leverage.
Gabai moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Lepinakov drops back looking for a leg! Gabai is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Gabai manages to kick Lepinakov off! Lepinakov jumps back into Gabai's guard.

Lepinakov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lepinakov won't allow Gabai to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eshkar Gabai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Lepinakov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Lepinakov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Lepinakov wants to work for an arm triangle but Gabai is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Gabai tries to roll over but Lepinakov keeps him under control.

Lepinakov is looking for a kimura but Gabai is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Lepinakov to get the leverage.

Lepinakov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Gabai doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Lepinakov.

Lepinakov 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.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lepinakov 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.
Gabai slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Lepinakov won't allow Gabai to sweep him here.

Lepinakov drops back looking for a leg! Gabai is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Gabai manages to kick Lepinakov off! Lepinakov jumps back into Gabai's guard.
Luke Lepinakov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two 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.
Gabai is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Lepinakov actively working from the bottom here.
Gabai wants to stand but Lepinakov has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Lepinakov misses with some strikes from the bottom.

Lepinakov actively working from the bottom here.
Gabai sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Lepinakov defending well though.
Gabai is looking to take a break and control but Lepinakov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gabai tries to stand and escape but Lepinakov is controlling the position.

Lepinakov actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gabai trying to control the action but Lepinakov is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lepinakov throws a hook to the side of Gabai's head but Gabai sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Lepinakov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Gabai sprawls well. Gabai wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lepinakov gets slowly back to his feet.
Gabai throws a nice looking combination but Lepinakov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gabai ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Lepinakov jabs Gabai right on the nose. Gabai blinks but takes it well.
Lepinakov closes the distance and clinches up with Gabai, looking for a takedown. Lepinakov pushes Gabai against the cage but Gabai circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Lepinakov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gabai avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luke Lepinakov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gabai throws a combination. Lepinakov tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Lepinakov shoots for a double leg takedown but Gabai sprawls well. He's pushed Lepinakov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Gabai changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lepinakov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Lepinakov misses with a takedown attempt - Gabai sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lepinakov fails to land the takedown.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Gabai, as that shot connected.
Lepinakov is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Gabai.
A slow jab from Lepinakov misses its intended target.
Lepinakov is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Gabai.
Lepinakov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gabai circles away.
Gabai scores with a sloppy right hand. Lepinakov should have avoided that one.
Gabai swinging wilding here.
Gabai throws a jab but it's blocked by Lepinakov.
A chopping leg kick lands by Lepinakov.

Lepinakov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Gabai did well to prevent Lepinakov getting side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luke Lepinakov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gabai 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:29
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eshkar Gabai!