PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mark Gambacorto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lance Yardstick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Gambacorto
vs
Yardstick

185 cm
19
170 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

182 cm
23
179 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mark Gambacorto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Lance Yardstick!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Igor Prikhodko and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yardstick doesn't manage to clinch there - Gambacorto circles away.
Yardstick tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gambacorto paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Yardstick tries to clinch there but Gambacorto circles away.
Gambacorto tries to clinch but Yardstick is having none of it.
Yardstick tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Gambacorto counters with a nice body kick.

Yardstick clinches with his opponent.
Gambacorto takes a knee right on the jaw!
Yardstick tries to land knees in the clinch but Gambacorto avoids the damage to the body.
Gambacorto has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Yardstick is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Gambacorto managing to block the knees to the body from Yardstick.
Nice elbow from Yardstick.
Yardstick pushes off an throws an elbow but Gambacorto leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Yardstick throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Yardstick.
Gambacorto wants a takedown but no success here.
Gambacorto on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gambacorto avoiding damage as Yardstick throws knees to the body.
Yardstick tries a knee to the head but Gambacorto blocks it.
Yardstick lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Yardstick trying to land knees to the body.
Yardstick is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Yardstick swings wildly with an uppercut but Gambacorto uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yardstick tries to land knees in the clinch but Gambacorto avoids the damage to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gambacorto goes for a takedown attempt but Yardstick pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Gambacorto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gambacorto tries to clinch up.
Yardstick tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Gambacorto counters with a nice leg kick.
Yardstick looks gassed!
A combination from Gambacorto does no damage.
Yardstick closes the distance looking to clinch

and Gambacorto moves into the clinch.
Yardstick looking to throw knees to the head but Gambacorto is blocking nicely.
Yardstick is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Gambacorto is defending well for now.
Gambacorto lands a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Gambacorto has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Yardstick avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Gambacorto.
Yardstick gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Yardstick misses with an elbow strike.
Yardstick gets underhooks to prevent Gambacorto's takedown attempt.
Yardstick has a couple of punches blocked by Gambacorto.

Gambacorto has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Yardstick regains guard immediately.
Gambacorto trying to control but Yardstick is working from the bottom.
Gambacorto is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gambacorto trying to control the position from guard on top but Yardstick is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gambacorto tries to free his leg and advance position but Yardstick is retaining full guard.
Gambacorto loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Gambacorto pushes down on Yardstick's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Gambacorto stops Yardstick from getting back to his feet.
Gambacorto is pressing down on Yardstick's thigh, looking to free his foot. Yardstick is holding on for now.

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.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Yardstick tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Yardstick using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gambacorto has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Yardstick creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Yardstick throws an elbow that misses.
Gambacorto blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Gambacorto is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Gambacorto goes for a takedown in the clinch but Yardstick prevents it.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Yardstick.
Yardstick is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Gambacorto is defending well for now.
Gambacorto goes for a takedown attempt but Yardstick pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Gambacorto gets the takedown into side control.
Sloppy strikes there by Gambacorto.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Gambacorto dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Some wild striking there from Gambacorto.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gambacorto.
Yardstick wants to clinch
and Gambacorto counters with a nice body kick.
Gambacorto has a takedown stuffed.
Yardstick tries to clinch but Gambacorto moves away

and Gambacorto holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Gambacorto tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Gambacorto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gambacorto tries to break free but Yardstick pushes him back against the cage.
Yardstick looking to throw knees to the head but Gambacorto is blocking nicely.
Gambacorto blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Gambacorto avoiding damage as Yardstick throws knees to the body.
Gambacorto is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Gambacorto blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Gambacorto drops down looking for an ankle pick but Yardstick pulls his leg out and moves away.
Yardstick is breathing heavily.
Yardstick showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gambacorto.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gambacorto looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Yardstick darts in trying to clinch

and Gambacorto counters by moving into the clinch.

Gambacorto's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Yardstick clinches but Gambacorto breaks the clinch

and Gambacorto counters by clinching up.
Yardstick looking to throw knees to the head but Gambacorto is blocking nicely.
Gambacorto blocks a body shot from Yardstick.
Yardstick tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Gambacorto avoids it.
Yardstick misses with an elbow over the top.

Gambacorto's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Yardstick tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Gambacorto counters with an outside leg kick.

Gambacorto moves into the clinch.
Gambacorto wants a takedown.
Yardstick tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Yardstick misses with a knee strike.
Gambacorto has Yardstick pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Yardstick manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Gambacorto can't get the takedown.
Gambacorto tries to score a body lock takedown but Yardstick shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Yardstick trying to land knees to the body.
Gambacorto tries to pull guard but Yardstick holds him up against the cage and eventually Gambacorto drops back down to his feet.
Gambacorto drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Yardstick gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Yardstick missing with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gambacorto tries to score a body lock takedown but Yardstick shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Yardstick creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Yardstick throws an elbow but misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Yardstick just misses with a elbow thrown towards Gambacorto's brow.
Gambacorto is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Yardstick pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Gambacorto is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Yardstick pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Yardstick trying to land knees to the body.
Gambacorto is looking to break free of the clinch but Yardstick has double underhooks.
Yardstick is pressed up against the cage. Gambacorto has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Yardstick down to the mat. Yardstick avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Gambacorto circles away from the clinch attempt

and Gambacorto counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Yardstick can't keep his opponent in guard - Gambacorto advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Gambacorto tries to pass the half guard into mount. Yardstick knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gambacorto is keen to just control but Yardstick is a slippery customer.
Yardstick is in trouble now - Gambacorto has advanced to mount!
BOOM! Gambacorto connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Gambacorto wants to control the pace but Yardstick is squirming around nicely.
Gambacorto punishing his opponent with strikes.
Yardstick is squirming around, avoiding Gambacorto's attempts to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Gambacorto dominated that second 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. And we move into the final round!

Gambacorto tries to score a power double leg takedown but Yardstick sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gambacorto somewhat.
Yardstick looks to clinch

and Gambacorto counters by moving into the clinch.
Gambacorto is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Yardstick misses with an elbow strike.
Gambacorto avoids the elbow strike from Yardstick, against the cage.
Yardstick landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Yardstick creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Gambacorto managing to block the knees to the body from Yardstick.
Yardstick with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Yardstick gets underhooks to prevent Gambacorto's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Gambacorto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yardstick throws a punch but it's blocked by Gambacorto.
A knee to the head by Yardstick.
With the fighters up against the cage, Yardstick throws an elbow but misses.
Yardstick takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Gambacorto wants the takedown. Yardstick is fighting it off but Gambacorto persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Yardstick's guard against the cage.
Gambacorto pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Yardstick is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gambacorto wants to control from the top but Yardstick keeps moving.
Gambacorto tries to free his leg and advance position but Yardstick is retaining full guard.

That's two 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.
Gambacorto trying to control the position from guard on top but Yardstick is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gambacorto trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Yardstick tries to clinch up
and Gambacorto counters with a three punch combo that has Yardstick backing up. Yardstick nods at Gambacorto to acknowledge the strikes.
Yardstick looks to clinch

and Gambacorto counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Gambacorto takes a knee to the side of the body.
Yardstick using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gambacorto has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Gambacorto goes for a takedown in the clinch but Yardstick prevents it.
Yardstick landing knees to the head.
Gambacorto lands a good knee to the midsection. Yardstick won't want to take too many of those.
Gambacorto goes for a takedown in the clinch but Yardstick prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gambacorto drops down looking for an ankle pick but Yardstick pulls his leg out and moves away.
Yardstick clinches but Gambacorto breaks the clinch

and Gambacorto counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Yardstick looks like he's trying to stand up.
Gambacorto is pressing down on Yardstick's thigh, looking to free his foot. Yardstick is holding on for now.
Gambacorto controlling the pace.

Yardstick kicks off Gambacorto and gets to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gambacorto throws a nice outside leg kick.
Gambacorto tries to score a power double leg takedown but Yardstick sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gambacorto somewhat.
Gambacorto connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Lance Yardstick has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gambacorto throws a nice inside leg kick.

Yardstick tries to keep at a distance but Gambacorto has taken the fight into the clinch.
Gambacorto is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Yardstick pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Yardstick missing with knees to the body.
Gambacorto tries for a takedown but Yardstick manages to get underhooks.
Gambacorto drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mark Gambacorto is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gambacorto drops down looking for an ankle pick but Yardstick pulls his leg out and moves away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Gambacorto showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gambacorto, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Gambacorto!