PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Todd Gunther (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arturo Gatti III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gunther comes into the arena with Common - Make My Day blaring out of the sound system. Gatti III has chosen Black Milk & Royce 5'9 - Losing out as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Gunther
vs
Gatti III

179 cm
23
162 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

172 cm
20
164 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Todd Gunther!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Arturo Gatti III!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gunther misses with a head kick.
Gatti III throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gatti III lands a head shot.
Gatti III fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gunther manages to avoid it.
Gatti III misses with a series of wild punches.
Gunther takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Gatti III cracks Gunther with a right hand to the side of the head.

Gunther clinches up against the cage.
Gatti III has had enough of the clinch but Gunther keeps him there for the moment.
Gatti III tries to throw a body punch but Gunther avoids it by throwing Gatti III back against the cage.
A body shot lands from Gatti III.
Gatti III tries to break free but Gunther pushes him back against the cage.
Gatti III is trying to break the clinch but Gunther has him pressed against the cage.
Gunther digs a right hand underneath Gatti III's ribcage. Gatti III let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A right hook to the body lands for Gunther.
Gunther lands a nice knee to the body.
Gunther is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Gunther trying to land knees to the body.
Gunther crunches a lovely knee into Gatti III's ribcage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gunther lands a nice elbow.
Gatti III can't break the clinch.
Gatti III takes a knee to the side of the body.
Gunther is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Gunther with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gunther slowing the pace effectively.
Gatti III has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Gunther digs a right hand underneath Gatti III's ribcage. Gatti III let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Gunther unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Gatti III looks gassed!
Gunther unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Gunther tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Gunther landing knees to the body.
Gatti III takes a knee to the side of the body.
Gunther lands an elbow just above Gatti III 's eye.
Gatti III swings wildly with an uppercut but Gunther uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gunther is trying to maintain a safe position but Gatti III gets an underhook and turns Gunther into the cage.
Gatti III swings wildly with an uppercut but Gunther uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gunther using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Gunther lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Gunther lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Gatti III throws a head punch that misses.
A knee to the head by Gunther.
Gunther landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Gatti III wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gunther has him pressed against the cage.
Gunther misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Gatti III.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Gunther obliges.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gunther crunches a lovely knee into Gatti III's ribcage.
Gunther is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Gunther is working Gatti III over against the cage.
Gatti III's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gatti III wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gunther has him pressed against the cage.
Gunther landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Gunther tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Gunther lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Gatti III lands a nice shot to the body.
Gatti III wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Gatti III tries to break free but Gunther pushes him back against the cage.
Gunther tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gunther lands a knee to the body.
Gunther prevents Gatti III from breaking the clinch.
Gunther misses with a knee strike.
Gatti III lands a body punch.
Gunther tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Gatti III avoids it.
Gunther tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Gatti III breaks the clinch.
Gatti III just misses with a punch to the body.
Gatti III dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gatti III thows a body shot but no joy.
Gatti III thuds a left hand into Gunther's body.
Todd Gunther is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gunther takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Gatti III lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatti III throws the left hand but Gunther avoids the punch easily.

Gatti III shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gatti III's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Gatti III wants to pass the guard but Gunther is keeping the position.
Gatti III trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Gunther manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Gatti III seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Gunther trying to control the position from guard on top but Gatti III is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gunther is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Gunther throwing strikes but missing.
Gunther trying to control but Gatti III is working from the bottom.
Gunther sitting in guard here, content to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Todd Gunther dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gunther looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gunther misses with a combination
and Gatti III counters with a left to the body.
Gunther closes the distance looking to clinch
and Gatti III counters with a stiff right hand.
Gatti III closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gunther circles away.
Gatti III shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gunther as he jumps to the side.
Gatti III avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gunther uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gatti III.
A jab from Gatti III misses.
Gunther misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatti III fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Gunther delivers a nice body kick.
Gatti III swings for the body but Gunther moves out of range.
Gunther goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Gatti III takes a swing at Gunther's ribcage but misses.
Gatti III is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Gunther rather than just go for the knockout.
Gatti III moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Gatti III avoids the head kick by Gunther.
Gatti III avoids the head kick by Gunther.
Gunther falls off balance throwing a combination
and Gatti III counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gatti III misses with a double jab
letting Gunther counter with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gatti III looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Todd Gunther has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arturo Gatti III.
Gatti III lands a nice looking body shot.
Gunther looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Gatti III scores with a body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gunther misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gunther misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gatti III takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Gatti III ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Gatti III throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gatti III throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Gunther throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gatti III with a nice cross.
Gatti III dips to his left and cracks Gunther with an uppercut!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Gatti III finds it's way through Gunther's defenses.
Gatti III throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gunther.

Gunther gets caught flat footed, as Gatti III shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Gatti III tries to free his leg and advance position but Gunther is retaining full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gunther is on top in guard.
Gunther trying to control but Gatti III is working from the bottom.
Gatti III looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Gunther controls from within his opponent's guard.
Gatti III tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gunther wants to control from the top but Gatti III keeps moving.
Gunther postures up in Gatti III's guard and throws a big left but Gatti III blocks it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gunther throws the kick towards the body but Gatti III avoids it.
Gunther fails in his attempt to clinch.
Jab from Gatti III.
Gunther is looking to clinch but Gatti III is avoiding it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arturo Gatti III showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Gunther gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Gunther is adopting a defensive guard.
Gatti III preventing the sweep.
Gunther working a defensive guard here.
Gunther looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Gunther is working hard here to advance position.
Gunther wants to stand and escape but Gatti III is having none of it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gunther keeping moving, preventing Gatti III from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatti III looking to pass the guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Gatti III tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gunther was well out of range. Poor timing from Gatti III.
Gunther tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Gatti III looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Gunther!
Gatti III sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gunther is looking to improve his position but Gatti III isn't that keen on the idea.
Gatti III controlling his opponent.
Gunther tries to lock up and control but Gatti III gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Gatti III looking to control and managing it successfully.
Gatti III looking to control but Gunther is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatti III controlling the position easily from mount.

Despite being in the dominant position, Arturo Gatti III just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gunther tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gunther tries a head kick but it misses.

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.
Gatti III comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Gatti III takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Gatti III slips under a jab.
Gunther missing with a left hand there. Gatti III was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gunther swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Gatti III counters with a left and a right that stings Gunther.
Gatti III tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gunther was well out of range. Poor timing from Gatti III.
Gatti III misses with a straight right.
Gatti III avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gunther scoring well with a low kick there.
A lazy left from Gatti III finds it's target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gunther. Gatti III does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gatti III goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Gatti III scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Gunther looks to land a combination but Gatti III avoids it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arturo Gatti III really dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Gatti III throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Gunther was covering up waiting for the punch and Gatti III finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Gatti III got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gunther has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gatti III has managed to get both his arms back between Gunther's legs - danger averted.
Gatti III slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Gatti IIIis looking to pass into half guard but Gunther pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Gunther is in guard.
Gatti III is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Gatti III is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatti III wants to sweep here but Gunther controlling him for the moment.
Gatti III is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Gatti III has his hands on Gunther's head, controlling the position.
Gunther wants to control from the top but Gatti III keeps moving.
Gatti III can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Gunther controls the pace.
Gatti III wants to control but Gunther passes easily into half guard.

That's two 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.
Gunther content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Gatti III can do anything to dispel that myth.
Gatti III is refusing to be controlled, as Gunther sits in half guard.
Gatti III wants to get back to full guard.
Gatti III moves into full guard.
Gunther controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatti III working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gunther.
Gunther trying to control but Gatti III is working from the bottom.
Gunther preventing the sweep.
Gunther trying to control the position from guard on top but Gatti III is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gatti III tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gunther postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Gunther throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Gunther lands with a slapping head kick.
Gunther misses with a body shot
and Gatti III counters with a two punch combo.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gatti III. Gunther does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gunther swinging wildly here.
Gatti III keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Gunther connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Gunther tries to clinch there but Gatti III circles away.
Gatti III avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gunther throws a nice outside leg kick.
Todd Gunther is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gatti III avoids the head kick by Gunther.
A head kick misses from Gunther.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Arturo Gatti III will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Gunther tries to clinch but Gatti III is having none of it.
Gatti III catches Gunther with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Gunther uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gatti III.
Gunther throws a leg kick but Gatti III sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Gunther misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gatti III.
Gunther avoids the body shot from Gatti III.
Gunther tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gatti III lands a jab.
Gatti III swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gatti III swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gatti III moves out of range of the body kick from Gunther.
A head kick misses from Gunther.
Gatti III punishes Gunther's body with a nice straight punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gunther throws a combination. Gatti III tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Gatti III misses with a body shot.
Gatti III misses the body punch
and Gunther counters with a nice body kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Gatti III, as that shot connected.
Gatti III with a hook.
Gatti III slips under a jab.
Gunther takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Gatti III looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Gatti III slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Gunther is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Gatti III tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Todd Gunther has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gunther trying to control the position but instead, Gatti III has worked for underhooks and has pushed Gunther into the cage.
Gatti III lands a body punch in the clinch.
Gatti III lands with a short shot to the head.
Gatti III wants to break free but Gunther has control.
Gatti III stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Gatti III's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gatti III stuns Gunther with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Gatti III jabs at Gunther's body.
Gatti III shoots in for a double leg but Gunther sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Gatti III scores with a jab to the jaw.

Gatti III looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Gatti III is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Gunther is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunther tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gunther being controlled here, momentarily.
Gatti III stops Gunther from standing up.

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.
Gatti III pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gunther is keeping the position for now.
Gatti III is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Gatti III looking to pass the guard.
Gatti III won't allow Gunther to sweep him here.
Gunther controls Gatti III momentarily but Gatti III frees himself.
Gunther wants to sweep here but Gatti III controlling him for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arturo Gatti III comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gatti III 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 46:49
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 47:48
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arturo Gatti III!
Arturo Gatti III is the new lightweight champion!