PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dan Gable (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Michaels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Michaels's choice of entrance music: Hillbilly Deluxe. Max Michaels has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gable
vs
Michaels

177 cm
19
215 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

185 cm
20
215 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dan Gable!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Max Michaels!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Anthony Taglia and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gable scores with a takedown into Michaels's guard.
Michaels looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gable is one step ahead there.
Gable scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Michaels escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gable gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Gable postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Michaels trying to keep a closed guard but Gable is proving a slippery customer.

Michaels is looking for a triangle but Gable pushes his legs off easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gable is looking to work some ground and pound but Michaels has wrist control.
Gable has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Gable postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Gable distracts Michaels with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Gable postures up.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michaels keeping full guard, as Gable tries to pass.
Gable is in close to Michaels's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gable works over Michaels with some ground and pound from guard.

Michaels escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gable gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Gable in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Gable's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Michaels working for a triangle but Gable defends it easily.
Gable stands up over Michaels, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Gable content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Gable scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michaels wants to sweep but no luck.
Gable working some strikes from top position.
Gable slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Gable landing strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Michaels holds on to Gable's head and controls the position momentarily.
Michaels manages to get back to half guard.
Michaels looks gassed!
Gable looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Michaels with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Michaels on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Gable working the head and body with strikes.
Gable working the head and body with strikes.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Gable connects with a nice short shot to Michaels's temple.
Gable drops an elbow to the side of Michaels's head.
Nice strikes from Gable there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gable working over Michaels with some ground and pound. Michaels looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Gable working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Michaels misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Gable scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Michaels looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Gable lands with a punch from half guard.

Michaels looking for submissions off his back.
Gable lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Ground and pound from Gable.
Gable winds up and cracks Michaels with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gable lands with a punch from half guard.
Gable looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Gable throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Gable working over Michaels with some ground and pound. Michaels looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Gable lands strikes from half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gable prevents Michaels from improving his position.
Gable working the head and body with strikes.
Michaels is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Gable's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Gable's back!
Michaels is striking well from the back but Gable escapes and manages to control the positon and works his way to half guard. A much better position - the crisis is over for the time being.

Gable makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Gable dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Gable blocks a leg kick.
Gable throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Michaels's waist but Michaels gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gable off to one side.
Gable tries to score a power double leg takedown but Michaels sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gable somewhat.
Gable is trying hard to land a takedown here. Michaels sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dan Gable. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gable tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Michaels swivels and escapes.
Michaels defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gable.
Michaels stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Michaels wants it to stay on the feet.
Dan Gable is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Michaels lands a nice shot to the body.
Michaels chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Michaels tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Michaels is looking to clinch.
Gable has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Michaels with a nice cross.
Gable has a takedown stuffed.
Left hook, right uppercut from Michaels.
Michaels lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Michaels lands a jab to the head.
A nice inside leg kick there by Michaels. That's going to slow Gable down.
Gable shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Michaels as he jumps to the side.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Michaels.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michaels with a hook.
Michaels fails to land with a series of punches.

Michaels closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Gable blocking the ground and pound attempt from Michaels.
Michaels throwing shots but Gable is blocking nicely.

Michaels wants to work for an arm triangle but Gable is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Michaels sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gable defending well though.
Michaels sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gable defending well though.
Michaels throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Michaels not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Gable keeping control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Michaels connects with a good right hand that stumbles Gable. Gable circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Michaels throws a right hand that Gable ducks under and follows up with a left that Gable also avoids with ease.
Dan Gable seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Michaels is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gable doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Michaels counters with a slapping leg kick.
Gable misses with a takedown
and Michaels counters with a nice kick to the body.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Michaels.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Michaels lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Michaels tries to close the distance and clinch but Gable swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gable misses with a takedown attempt
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Michaels lands the left hand.
Gable fails with the takedown
and Michaels counters with a one-two to the body.
Gable with a lazy takedown attempt
and Michaels counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Gable gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Nice body kick there by Michaels.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michaels lands a nice shot that snaps Gable's head back.
Michaels lands a high kick!
Gable keeps the fight on the outside.
Gable gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Michaels counters with a nice uppercut.
Michaels lands a nice shot to the body.
Michaels throws a series of strikes that have Gable backpedaling.
Michaels lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gable circles away quickly and effectively.
Gable takes one to the chin there.
Michaels lands a nice shot that snaps Gable's head back.
Michaels swinging wildly here.
Michaels throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Michaels drives through and clinches with Gable against the cage.
Michaels lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gable backwards.

Michaels tightens his grip and picks Gable up, before dumping him to the ground. Gable manages to land in guard.
Michaels throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gable works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Gable tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gable trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gable manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Michaels manages to get himself to full guard.
Gable is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Gable throwing strikes but missing.
Michaels is pulling down on Gable's head to control his posture.

Michaels has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gable can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Gable drops back looking for a leg! Michaels is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Michaels manages to kick Gable off! Gable jumps back into Michaels's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gable throwing strikes from guard but Michaels blocks nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Michaels showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Gable misses with a takedown attempt
and Michaels cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Michaels scoring well with a low kick there.
Michaels scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Gable walks into a straight right hand from Michaels.
Michaels throws a right and a left that Gable avoids nicely.
Gable gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Michaels finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Michaels tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gable paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Michaels closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Gable to the mat! Gable manages to get full guard.
Michaels throwing strikes but missing.
Michaels trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gable is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Michaels is controlling him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Michaels passes Gable's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michaels throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Michaels throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Michaels not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Michaels is keen to just control but Gable is a slippery customer.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Michaels feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Gable's calf.
Gable misses with a takedown attempt
and Michaels counters with a nice uppercut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dan Gable. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Michaels tries to clinch up but Gable circles away and keeps his distance.
Gable walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Michaels scores with a jab to the head.
Gable tries for a takedown but Michaels circles away easily
and Michaels counters with a straight right hand.
Gable shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Michaels counters with a three punch combo that has Gable backing up. Gable nods at Michaels to acknowledge the strikes.
A right-left combo lands from Michaels.
Gable gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Michaels counters with a good low kick that Gable was not able to check.
Michaels lands a nice hook to Gable's body. Gable takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michaels throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gable shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Michaels counters with a two punch combo.
Michaels cracks a nice hook into Gable's ribs.
Michaels throws a sloppy head kick and Gable moves out of range easily.
Michaels thuds a left hand into Gable's body.
Michaels fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Michaels moves into the clinch.
Gable blocks an uppercut.

Gable gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Michaels regains guard.

Michaels had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gable defends it easily.
Michaels has control of Gable's left arm, preventing Gable from doing any damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Michaels working a defensive guard here.
Gable looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gable working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Michaels's head.

Michaels working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gable doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gable manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Gable missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gable is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Gable scoring with some ground and pound.

Michaels has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gable can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Gable with a nice head shot there.
Michaels is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Gable distracts Michaels with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Michaels working for a triangle but Gable defends it easily.
Gable is in close to Michaels's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Dan Gable overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gable connects with a couple of short punches.
Gable stands up over Michaels, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Gable is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Gable working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Michaels's head.
Gable chips away with some ground and pound.
Gable chips away with some ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gable with a nice head shot there.

Michaels is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gable is aware though and is defending well.
Gable lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Gable lands a couple of decent looking shots.

And that's the end of the fight!
Max Michaels comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Michaels 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 28:28
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 28:28

The fight is ruled a majority draw!